As summer break for Lee County public schools begins June 2nd and families continue planning for school break schedules, FISH of SanCap reminds parents and guardians that assistance may be available for summer childcare programs, as well as after school care during the academic year.
Through its Helping Hands program, FISH works closely with families facing financial hardship, employment challenges, or unexpected setbacks that can make reliable child care difficult to afford.
For many working parents, school breaks can create immediate stress. Seasonal employment schedules, rising living costs, transportation expenses, and paperwork related delays or eligibility issues with other assistance programs can quickly place families in difficult situations. FISH helps bridge those gaps so parents can continue working while children remain in safe, structured environments.
One parent, whose name has been changed for privacy reasons, shared how support from FISH helped stabilize her family during a difficult time last year.
“After my daughter’s father passed away, everything became overwhelming,” the parent shared. “Between trying to manage work, expenses, and paperwork problems tied to assistance and benefits, I was struggling to keep up. I was terrified I wouldn’t have any options for her summer care, and I didn’t know how I was going to make it work. FISH stepped in during one of the hardest periods of our lives. Knowing my daughter has a safe place to go gave me peace of mind and allowed me to continue working while trying to rebuild and move forward.”
FISH Social Services Director Nitza Lopez said childcare support can have a direct impact on a family’s ability to remain financially stable.
“Reliable childcare affects every part of a family’s life,” Lopez said. “When parents are worried about where their child will go after school or during summer break, it impacts employment, finances, and overall well-being. We encourage families to reach out early so we can discuss available resources, scholarship opportunities, and support options.”
FISH regularly assists island families through a range of youth and family focused programs, including school break support, backpack food assistance, holiday programs, children’s medical and dental assistance, and referrals to additional community resources. Staff work individually with families to better understand their circumstances and connect them with appropriate support.
Families interested in learning more about summer childcare assistance or after school care support are encouraged to contact Nitza Lopez, Social Services Director at FISH, at 239-472-4775 or nitza@fishofsancap.org.
