The former Greater Hazleton Area YMCA is embracing a new beginning with a brand-new name — the Mericle Family Center YMCA. They are now part of the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA and they are giving children new opportunities.

When you walk into the building, it gives you a warm feeling. Walking through the entry doors feels like walking into a sunny day—only indoors. The Pasco L. Schiavo Early Learning Center is the only part of the Y open for now, but it’s filled with such a positive vibe. There are bright colors all over the walls, and the workers and children are always smiling. With a recent reopening, they are starting strong.

Plans and Growth

The center’s childcare director, Nathally Tiburcio, is excited to provide opportunities for the kids at the YMCA. “I feel excited. I absolutely love working with kids. We are working with butterflies this week, and just seeing them learn about butterflies and what the curriculum ensures for them to learn throughout that—it’s exciting for me to see them learning.”

The Mericle Family Center YMCA has many ideas and plans for what they want to make of the place. In the near future, they will enter phase two by having the gyms, weight rooms, and other activity rooms renovated. The last thing for them to complete is the pool. There are some rooms that they still need to figure out, but they have big plans in action and want to give back to the community. There are many rooms with many possibilities.

Putting Children and Community First

As for wanting to give back to the community, Nathally has been in a YMCA for a good portion of her life. She has big hopes and dreams for it. “When I first applied, I was super excited because I grew up in the Y. I’ve been in the Y since I was little, and then one of my first jobs was before and after school care at the YMCA. So, what I see to come from this is honestly to give back to the community the same way the Y gave to me.” 

The workers are experienced and caring people. They dedicate the time and effort to help the kids grow and learn new skills. They take kids as early as 6 weeks to 5 years for all-day childcare. They also have before and after school care. They have different classrooms for each age group. Inside the classrooms are shelves filled with toys and books. There are many reading nooks and play areas in each classroom.

The children need to meet specific milestones to see what class they will be put into. They have a room for their newborns, younger toddlers, older toddlers, and preschool. The children have their own curriculum too, which is mostly all hands-on. The children make learning look like a blast from all the smiles and laughter.

Hands-On Learning and a Safe, Fun Environment

“We follow a creative curriculum, and it’s a hands-on, play-based center curriculum. So basically, the kids learn through play. You might see some different worksheets, but it’s all hands-on. I was a special education teacher before this, and something I learned is that kids, especially at this age, learn better when they can work with their hands. I know I do. I learn through doing it myself, and I imagine that’s exactly how they do,” says Nathally.

All the classrooms have bright colors, decorations, and are filled with toys. The people who work in this department care for the children and their safety. They are also very sanitary. For example, there are no shoes allowed in the infant section, so germs aren’t tracked in. Walking through, you can see the teachers laughing with students and assisting them. The kids are all smiling and laughing with each other.

Safe, Happy and Full of Possibility

The workers care for the children involved in the Pasco L. Schiavo Early Learning Center at the Mericle Family Center YMCA and want the best for the students. Everyone seems happy, and they bring such warm energy. It makes you feel safe and comfortable. They plan to only go up from here, filled with excitement about what they can give to their community. This is history in the making.