Family Y's offer free childcare to those seeking jobs

The Aiken County Family Y and North Augusta Family Y now offer free childcare to unemployed parents while they are out on job interviews.

This program, inspired by a similar one at another YMCA, is designed to reach those parents who need help finding childcare when an interview comes along, said Catie Bugos, the branch director of the North Augusta Family Y.

"We fell in love with the program. We want to get the word out there, and if parents take advantage of it, we've done our job," she said.

South Carolina's unemployment rate stands at 11.8 percent. People across the state are struggling to find jobs, and many of them have children.

Both Y's have been notifying local employment and staffing agencies about the program, which starts Monday.

The time limit for childcare is 2¬½ hours, but both organizations are willing to work with parents who need more time. No reservations are necessary. Parents will have to fill out a form when they drop off their children.

"We want to be able to touch people in the community who need our help," Bugos said.

Childcare is offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Aiken County Family Y is at 690 Medical Park Drive and can be reached at 349-8080. The North Augusta Family Y is at 401 Martintown Road and can be reached at 278-0882.