UPDATE: The Fox Valley Park District has just secured a significant $330,000 grant from the Dunham Foundation to support its newly launched after-school program, EPIC, at West Aurora School District 129. This funding is crucial for providing affordable child care options for working families in the community.
The EPIC program, which stands for Explore, Play, Imagine, and Connect, is designed to assist parents like Selena Flores, who recently transitioned to daytime work while juggling the demands of raising three young children. The program operates at four elementary schools in West Aurora, running from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is now open to all students, including kindergarteners.
Flores expressed her gratitude, stating, “I was over the moon,” when she learned that her children would be able to participate in the program for free due to the scholarship opportunities provided by the new grant. “It’s not a lot of money that we were paying, but that can easily go towards extra shopping for the kiddos, extra school supplies for the kiddos, extra groceries for the week,” she added.
The need for after-school programs has become increasingly urgent, especially for families with both parents working. Flores, who has no family nearby to help with child care, emphasized the impact of the program on her family. “It’s a weight off our shoulders to have child care for my older two kids,” she said, noting that her children enjoy the program so much they often want to stay longer.
The EPIC program is a continuation of the previous MyTime program, which was funded by a federal grant that expired this June. As Becky Harling, Recreation Superintendent of the Fox Valley Park District, explained, the unpredictability of federal funding prompted the district to seek alternative sources to ensure the continuation of after-school services.
In addition to the Dunham Foundation grant, the park district has implemented a fee structure for the program. Families will pay a general fee of $240 per month, with reduced rates of either $120 or $60 for those who qualify based on income.
With the new funding, the park district can now offer full scholarships to children who meet the income criteria. Currently, the program has capacity for 250 students and is already supporting 60 scholarship recipients. “We’re not just supporting a program — we’re investing in educational equity and making sure every student has the chance to explore, play, imagine, and connect alongside their peers,” stated Vicki Morcos, President and CEO of the Dunham Foundation.
Parents are encouraged to enroll their children in the EPIC program throughout the school year, as it continues to provide essential support and engagement for kids in the community. The program includes a variety of activities such as arts, sports, and homework assistance, ensuring a well-rounded experience for students.
Harling emphasized the program’s importance for families, stating, “Parents really rely on after-school programs. Being able to provide an after-school program with certified and quality instructors is a real big highlight for these parents.”
As the school year progresses, the EPIC program stands as a vital resource for working families in West Aurora, offering child care solutions that are both accessible and enriching. The Fox Valley Park District’s proactive approach to securing necessary funding reflects a commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and supporting the well-being of families in the community.
