The Abayomi Community Development Corporation is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that provides recreational and educational services, housing and economic development assistance, and health and safety programs for Detroit families.

At Abayomi, meaning "a pleasant meeting place," you'll find afterschool tutoring, computer training, book clubs, mentoring programs for teens, and job training.

The group also runs a youth basketball program, summer camps, and an annual youth retreat.

Just opened in December 2005, the downtown Detroit Boll Family YMCA is remarkable.

Not only does it have the typical Y amenities, this shiny new facility houses a large theater, a 38-foot climbing wall, running track, massage therapy, a day care center, and a separate locker room for families and those with special needs.

You'll find classes in dance, spinning, martial arts, aerobics, aquatics, rowing, and too many more to list. Any current YMCA membership can be upgraded to include the Boll facility.

Some unique (for Ys) programs are offered as well, such as those in web design, photography, ceramics, and African dance.

Rent the center for birthday parties or other events. Contact the center directly for details and membership prices.

The non-profit community center features a gymnasium, classrooms, computer labs, and a dining hall in which the center provides services such as after-school tutoring, a youth basketball league, self-defense classes, a summer camp, and other activities throughout the year.

Detroit Impact is a youth center that provides academic support, computer training, and classes in photography, video production, creative writing, and the spoken word.

The organization has afterschool and mentorship character building programs, and it partners with other groups for organized sports activities.

The Detroit Impact's Saturday Adventure Kids' Club is all about fun and games for children ages six to 12.

Those in the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods are lucky to have the wonderful programs of the Neighborhood Club to keep them active. Activities are conducted in its community center and other area buildings and playfields.

Nursery program: The club runs a state-licensed nursery school and offers half-day care three to five days/week for children ages three to five.

Kids' programs: Sign the little ones up for playgroups, kiddie gym, and mom & tot classes. Older kids can participate in bowling, fencing, gymnastics, and tennis. The Neighborhood Club has numerous organized youth athletic leagues, including those in basketball, flag football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, t-ball, and volleyball.

Day camps are available during the summer.

Adult programs include aerobics, computer training, fencing, and yoga classes; softball and vollyball leagues; a barbershop quartet; and knitting club.

All programs are subsidized by the Neighborhood Club Thrift Shop.

Started in 1974 by professional football player Reggie McKenzie, the foundation provides year-round academic programs, life skills classes, and sports clinics to metro Detroit's inner-city youth.

The Great Adventures After School Program offers academic tutoring and computer training. A Saturday tutoring program, for children in kindergarten through grade 12, allows for individualized instruction by teachers and college students.

Sports clinics in football, basketball, golf, tennis, and track and field are offered to those eight to 18 years of age.

Transportation is provided to Highland Park students.

Schoolcraft College Kids on Campus offers some terrific educational programs for children in first through ninth grades. Classes are offered during the fall and winter semesters, and summer camps are also an option.

The program includes such diverse topics as cartooning, ceramics, computers, cooking, karate, math, robots, science, and theater. There's a middle school prep course and detective class.

Prefer to take a class with your child? Sign up for "Ooey, Gooey Science" or "Parent/Tot Swimming."