Creating effective youth programming that also provides real value for children can be a difficult task for community rec centers. This was the challenge for the YMCA of Greater Tulsa in the organization’s mission to improve its afterschool program. Luckily for the YMCA, Arly was there to provide its purpose-built, youth program management solution.
Arly integrates all the ingredients proven to run high-quality youth programs — from resources, management strategies and tools to professional development and curriculum. Since starting with Arly, the Y has seen incredible year-round growth in the program. Afterschool enrollment has increased by 77%, with 85% of students showing substantial progress in literacy and math through Arly’s Scholar Zone curriculum.
Here, Summer Knox, the SVP of operations at the YMCA of Greater Tulsa, details the Y’s partnership with Arly, how the afterschool program was boosted and more.
How long have you been a customer of Arly?
We’ve been a happy customer for three years now. It has felt more like a collaboration in the way we brainstorm and work together to find the best solution for our program’s needs.
Why did you decide to partner with Arly? What problem were you looking to solve, or what solution were you looking to incorporate?
Our afterschool program, Graduate Oklahoma (GO) Club has been operating in several greater Tulsa metro schools now since 2005. We’re continuously working to stay relevant and provide the best program for students. We were searching for two missing pieces at the time, academic scores for each individual student and evidence-based curriculum that could support them.
What are the benefits to your business as a result of this partnership?
We’ve seen a drastic increase in attendance rates, test scores, peer interaction, and social and emotional skills. The tools are provided with clear direction on how to integrate the curriculum into our existing components. Making the impact is vital and being able to prove it keeps the work sustainable.
What are the benefits to your members as a result of this partnership?
GO Club — with the support of Arly — positively affects students’ success in school with improved grades and attendance by providing increased academic, health and wellness education.
