YMCA Partnership Aims to Eliminate Obstacles for NVC Parenting Students

Louis Lopez, president and CEO of YMCA of Greater San Antonio, knows firsthand how challenging it can be for parenting students to juggle providing for their families while studying to earn a degree. Lopez and his wife pursued their educational goals while raising three children, and he understands that, at the top of the list of concerns for a lot of parents, is the rising cost of childcare. Three years ago, Northwest Vista College and YMCA of Greater San Antonio teamed up to assist NVC parenting students by providing free childcare on campus for children ages 5 to 13. This partnership with NVC and the other campuses in the Alamo Colleges District also includes access to summer day camps with financial assistance if needed.

Lopez, who started at the YMCA in 1999 as a sports director, said at the time he didn’t know where his career would take him, but he did know that he wanted to give back to the city’s South and Westside communities where he grew up. He recently shared his views on the importance of higher education, the partnership with NVC, and offered advice to current parenting students.

Q: How significant has the NVC/YMCA partnership been for parenting students and the community?

A: When we're talking about supporting parents who are going back to school to pursue a certificate or degree, I think we have to talk about childcare. I think childcare is a critical part of our workforce ecosystem, and for many parents —especially those wanting to return to school — it presents a huge barrier. I think this partnership helps to remove that barrier. And I love the Alamo Colleges District “moonshot” of ending generational poverty and the support it gives individuals in our community. But what I love even more is that this partnership acknowledges and recognizes that this goal cannot happen without looking at all the barriers that parents returning to school are facing, one of them being childcare.

Q: What childcare options are currently at NVC?

A: The YMCA, in partnership with Northwest Vista College, offers on-site childcare for students Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays. And during this program, meals are provided, which is really cool because moms, dads, and their children can eat together before mom or dad goes to class. Kids also receive tutoring during their program time, and parenting students can leave their children in our care while they attend class, meet with counselors, or if they just need time to complete homework or study.

Q: Are there plans to expand this partnership?

A: Absolutely. What we're doing at Northwest Vista College is really serving as a proof of concept. We're using this model to understand what parents’ needs are, and we know that those needs change. We survey our student parents, and we’re making tweaks to this program every semester to ensure that we are providing the best service that best supports them while making sure that the kids are having fun. This tutoring program, while kids are in our care, is one thing we have added. We have also implemented opening this up for students to return at any time other than class time or to meet with a counselor or study. So, this program continues to evolve.

Q: What did you learn from your experience as a parenting student?

A: My wife and I were both later-in-life students, and I remember how difficult it was. We had three young children, and we were both pursuing our careers. My wife’s an RN, I was working with the Y, and the decision to return to school was happening at the same time, and it felt like just one more challenge. We were both lucky that we had family that we could rely on to watch our children while we continued to pursue our degrees, but that experience gave me a very real understanding of the obstacles that parents are facing as they're trying to return to school. For me personally, I would not be in my role as president and CEO if I had not finished my degree.

Q: What advice do you have for NVC parenting students?

A: Finish! There are going to be moments and things are going to get difficult, and you're going to question your life decisions, as I did. But during those times, focus on the next step and progress. Even small progress is what matters. Understand and remind yourself that education will change your life, open doors, and create opportunities for growth and success. I'm the first college graduate in my family, and now my two oldest have their degrees, and my youngest is in his first year of college. I believe what my wife and I did, going back to school, changed the trajectory of our family.