This summer over 200 children and youth participated in YWCA Northern Rhode Island programs. The YWCA is licensed by the State of Rhode Island Department of Education and Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Hailey Hurteau, right, listens to Deb Fay, director of physical education. Below Busy Bee teacher Anne Hoyle, helps Ethan Labossiere dry off after a swim.

Ethan Lessard, top right, and Carrie Chase participate in a gym class with instructor Lauren Selemi. The YWCA offers over forty individual classes for children age 8 weeks (6 weeks with pediatrician consent) to adulthood including art, physical fitness, computers, competitive gymnastics and much more. Housed in an 18,000 square foot facility on 4.2 acres of land the association has been providing services to the community for 85 years.

Pictured far left, from left to right are Kiara Trusty, Tanaysia Sanders, Alexia Crotty, and Giselle Crotty, participants in Adventure Camp. Bottom left, Lundyn Deslauriers, front, cools off in a kiddie pool with Zachary Henry. Marianely Medina, left and Ciara Cleary, dance to a Nintendo video game. Below, Xaxier Labrecque, dunks the ball during a basketball game.

photos by Deborah L. Perry