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Inexpensive after-school programs available to Denver metro area parents

Posted at 4:30 AM, Aug 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-16 09:10:53-04

DENVER -- It can be tough to find help for someone to watch your child after school, and some of the programs out there can get expensive.
 
Seventeen percent of children in the state of Colorado go unsupervised after school, according to a report from the After School Alliance. But, that's just shy of the national average set at 20 percent. 

The Denver metro area has many options for parents, and one option that's inexpensive is the Boys and Girls Clubs. More than 10,000 students participate in the after-school program. 

"We know families in Colorado can spend anywhere between $8,000 to $10,000 a year on after school care," said Erin Porteous, CEO of the Denver metro Boys and Girls Clubs. 

The Boys and Girls Clubs offers a hot dinner to every child. One in six children goes starving in Colorado, according to Food For Thought, a campaign to eliminate hunger in Colorado. 

Students ranging from kindergarten to high school can be involved in the organization. Porteous said kids who are involved in after school programs often do better. 

"We see an incredible result from kids who participate in the after-school care. We see often they have less behavioral issues; they have better course work and grades," said Porteous. 

The Boys and Girls Clubs also offer homework help, sports programming, technology labs and art facilities. 

The deadline to sign up is in October. 

Other organizations in the Denver metro offering after school programs. 

YMCA

Denver Office of Children's Affairs