Is Youth Life right for my child?
Everything you need to know about our programming and how to get your child started
What do we do?
Youth Life Foundation of Richmond is not a daycare. It’s also not your average after-school program. We believe in offering tailor-made academic enrichment and character development for each individual child we serve. Learn more by clicking on the drop down menu.
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We offer homework help each day after-school, but we also go much deeper. Each student is tested before starting program, and our teachers then create individual academic activities to target their areas of weakness. We have a special reading intervention program for students who are reading far below grade level. For students who are on grade level, we offer additional academic enrichment in areas they’re interested in. We make learning FUN and EFFECTIVE at our Learning Centers.
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In addition to providing them with the academic support they need, we also want to encourage students to grow as leaders. We take the time to get to know each student and discuss both their unique gifts and areas for growth with them. Our teachers then give them daily responsibilities, reminders, and strategies for how to be the best version of themselves.
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We offer Bible lessons for students and engage with them often about questions about God. We want our students to succeed in life, and that means more than just learning how to read or how to be “good.” A relationship with Jesus is what will truly equip them for everything they’ll encounter in life.
For all of this, we only charge a one-time $25 enrollment fee!
Am I eligible?
Our programs exist to provide services for families of economic need. Our application requires an estimated income and household size from the most recent tax year.
We currently only pick up from Barack Obama Elementary, Linwood Holton Elementary, and Overby Sheppard Elementary.
In order for our programming to be as effective as possible, we also require a level of commitment from parents and consistent attendance from students. If your child would only be able to attend two days out of the week or will need to leave at 4pm each day for extracurricular activities, our program may not be the best fit for them.
Next Steps:
What happens next? How do you get your child enrolled? The basic enrollment process is outlined below. You can also always call us at (804) 228-1620 or email enrollment@ylfr.org with questions.
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Submit an Application
You can find our application online by clicking the button below.
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Schedule a Meeting
After you submit your application, one of our staff will reach out to schedule an introductory meeting with you.
Before the meeting you’ll need to familiarize yourself with our parent handbook, which can be found by clicking the button below.
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Bring Necessary Items
At your meeting, you’ll need to bring the following items:
- The one-time registration fee of $25 per child (we accept cash, credit, and cashapp)
- Your child’s birth certificate
- Your child’s updated immunization records
FAQs
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We provide transportation for students from the schools to our centers. However, we do not provide transportation home at the end of the day. Parents will need to pick up children from the Learning Center at 5:30pm each day.
Northside Learning Center: 1704 W Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23227
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We pick students up from school at 2:45pm and bring them to our Learning Center. The rest of the day typically follows the schedule below:
3:00-3:20 Arrival and snack time
3:20-3:40 Bible time
3:40-4:00 Recess + water break
4:00-5:15 Homework/academic work
5:15-5:20 Pack up, prepare for dismissal
5:20-5:45 Parent Pickup
The Learning Center closes at 5:45pm
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We require a completed application (which can be found above) to start the enrollment process, as well as a brief parent meeting and payment of $25 enrollment fee for new students.
We are also required by the Department of Social Services to have immunization records and a copy of a birth certificate on file for each student. We will need to receive a copy of these for your child before they can begin program. Records can be faxed to (804) 447-8585.
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We are not open on days when schools are closed or on half days. We follow the Richmond Public School schedule.
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In order to incentivize good character, hard work, and determination in our students, we have a “Behavior Points” system that culminates each week in a Friday field trip (a “Fun Friday”).
If students show poor behavior throughout the week and do not earn enough “Behavior Points,” they will not be allowed to participate in the Fun Friday trip that week. We can still provide childcare on those days, but the student will not be able to participate in the fun activity for the day.
Field trip schedules can be found on our monthly calendars here.