Supporting Students & Families at CA
Supporting kids and families is high on our priority list here at CA. We love helping the next generation stay active and engaged — and this is a community that truly shows up! In the past year, there were more than 188,000 visits to CA programs for youth and teens.
We’re also dedicated to lifting up the awesome team members who help our kids thrive.
Here are just a few things we’re excited about when it comes to serving students and families!
Prepare for Success school supply drive
CA is proud to partner with Prepare for Success, an all-volunteer effort to help Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) students in need, for their annual school supply drive.
This year, we nearly doubled the number of donation boxes in CA facilities to help even more kids prepare for success this year. Now through August 20, look out for donation boxes near the entrance of the following CA facilities:
- CA Headquarters
- All three fitness clubs (Supreme Sports Club, Columbia Athletic Club, Columbia Gym)
- Fairway Hills Golf Club
- Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club
- Long Reach Tennis Club
- Columbia Art Center
You can check out the list of needed school supplies here.
School Age Services
The mission of CA’s School Age Services (SAS) team is simple: Provide a safe environment for elementary and middle school age kids to have fun! Offering before and after school care in schools across Columbia is a crucial component of our work to support families.
If you’re interested in a meaningful role working with kids, there’s several opportunities to join the SAS team for the upcoming school year.
We currently have openings for directors, child care aids, teachers and more. Benefits include flexible hours, a free Fit&Play membership and a positive, fun work environment. Learn more and apply here!
“Whether you’re looking for more flexibility in your career or you’re a student looking for an entry-level position, there’s plenty of part-time roles available with the SAS team. It’s a great way to team up with people who are just as passionate about working with kids.” -Jennifer Harding, School Age Services Manager
CA Points program
Did you know more than 3,500 CA memberships have been awarded to families through the CA Points program since 2017?
For the last 20 years, CA Points has allowed students at participating schools who meet specific income qualifications to earn themselves and their family members a CA membership with good grades and attendance. All 23 Columbia schools were invited to participate in CA Points in the upcoming school year.
It’s also important for us to show love to our teachers! As a token of our appreciation for their hard work, CA offers a special membership offer to all HCPSS employees. Call 410-730-6010 to speak with a Membership Advocate and be sure to mention you work for HCPSS.
HCPSS Transition & Work Study program
During the school year, our fitness clubs are thrilled to partner with HCPSS’s Transition & Work Study Program to provide work-study opportunities for special needs students. The participants bring enthusiasm to the team and take on various responsibilities to help create a great environment for our members.
“We’re always excited to have an opportunity to support HCPSS students. Supporting work study opportunities for neurodiverse students aligns with our organizational values of connection and inclusion.” -Tavia Patusky, CA Wellness and Fitness Director
Photo by Shané K. Gooding, Imiivo Photo Studios
An ongoing commitment
Supporting kids is a year-round priority at CA. From free drop-in youth enrichment programs at the Youth & Teen Center to family movie nights at the Lakefront and so much more, it’s a joy to help enhance the lives of the awesome families in this community.
To stay updated on all the fun happenings, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to subscribe to the weekly “Do More with CA” email newsletter and monthly CA Digest email newsletter here.
