Outdoor Learning Environment
On Give Day, you can help us create outdoor spaces where children feel safe, loved, and inspired to learn. At our Early Learning Childcare Center, the outdoors is an extension of the classroom—giving children the opportunity to explore nature, build confidence, and learn through play. Your support will help us enhance our outdoor education space so every child can grow, discover, and thrive in an environment designed just for them.
Children learn best when they can explore and experience the world around them. Outdoor Learning Environments (OLE) give children the opportunity to move, imagine, and learn through hands-on experiences in nature. Whether they are planting a seed that will grow, observing insects in their natural environment, building with recyclable materials, or simply running, riding or jumping, these moments help children build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Your gift inspires meaningful learning experiences for the children we serve. During Give Local York, we invite you to join us in supporting spaces where children can learn, grow, and simply be kids.
Our Vision - All Children Are Safe and Feel Loved.
Our Mission - Empowering children and their families to build stronger healthier lives.
Early Learning Childcare
Our goal is to create a nurturing and engaging environment where every child can grow, learn, and thrive. We believe children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships that spark creativity, build confidence, and encourage curiosity. Our program is designed to support the whole child socially, emotionally, and academically, helping to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Lehman Crisis Nursery
We offer short term respite care (day/overnight), 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for children newborn through six years of age. The Lehman Crisis Nursery is one of only three such programs in the state of Pennsylvania
The average stay for a child is three overnights. During his or her stay at the Crisis Nursery each child receives care by trained, loving staff and volunteers. These professionals provide individual attention to children who are coming from stressful environments. Parents are encouraged to visit with their children by phone or in person each day.
Cornerstone Youth Home
Cornerstone Youth Home serves children in kindergarten through sixth grade (ages 5–12 years) who are experiencing housing instability. We provide long-term, stable housing to children while working with families to resolve challenges surrounding education, employment, health, and permanent housing.
We believe children and their families have the power to develop solutions to break the cycle of homelessness. Cornerstone Youth Home creates a long-term space of safety and stability for children to develop their academic skills, understand and build personal strengths while their family implements a professionally supported housing plan.
Family Advocacy
At Children’s Aid Society, we believe that every family deserves the opportunity to thrive. Our Family Advocacy Program serves families across York, Adams, and Franklin Counties, providing compassionate support to help them achieve lasting stability and strength. We are here to walk alongside families facing life’s challenges—connecting them with vital resources and offering emotional support every step of the way.
God's Closet
Located in New Oxford, God's Closet is a gently used Clothing, shoe and toy "store" where clients can "shop" for children's clothing, shoes, new hygiene items, new underwear and socks and new or gently used toys, books and school supplies.
Incredible Years
The goal of The Incredible Years program is to enhance children’s social and emotional competencies and reduce behavior problems. The program also aims to decrease harsh discipline practices, improve proactive parenting skills and the parent–child relationship, enhance children’s academic and social competence, and decrease aggression.
YCA (Youth Collaboration for Youth)
The goal of YCA is to empower students and their families to improve school attendance and offer a restorative alternative to truancy fines. YCA serves grades 7 through age 18. Students must be referred by York City School District, Northeastern School District, or Red Lion Area School District. Enrollment is voluntary.