Reach Out For Youth
February 8, 2007
MERRIMACK VALLEY YMCA “REACH OUT FOR YOUTH” VOLUNTEERS KICK-OFF 2007 CAMPAIGN
Campaign goal is $400,000
The Merrimack Valley YMCA’s “Reach Out For Youth” volunteer committee held its 2007 campaign kick-off breakfast at the Methuen YMCA today, hosting volunteers and community leaders. In his welcoming remarks, “Reach Out for Youth” Campaign Chairman Jeffrey W. Leeds of Andover said “I am pleased to announce that thanks to our volunteer leadership and several employees we have already raised nearly $100,000 toward our $400,000 goal. The YMCA is able to provide nearly 2,000 youth and families in need with educational, camping services, health and wellness activities and recreational activities because of each of you.”
Guests were treated to a presentation from students of the Lawrence YMCA’s Music Clubhouse. 14-year-old Desiree Bencosme of the Oliver School sang Roberta Flack’s “Killing me Softly,” while Eddy Caimares, age 15, of Notre Dame High School, played guitar as Music Clubhouse Director David Bickel accompanied on percussion.
Jefferson Lopez, a sophomore at Lawrence High School and a member of the YMCA’s Teen Achievers program, spoke of his YMCA involvement. “I go to the YMCA Teen Center every day after school to play pool and ping pong. If I didn’t go to the Y, I would just be home watching TV and listening to music and I would probably not get my homework done. The Teen Center gives me the chance to hang out with my friends in a safe environment. I have also begun to learn how to play the drums at the Music Clubhouse,” he said. “I am looking forward to the upcoming camping trips, the career fair, and other field trips with the Teen Achievers. Thanks to the Teen Achievers program I have been able to find a place to stay after school instead of getting myself into trouble,” he added.
The goal for the 2007 campaign is to raise over $400,000 through the annual appeal and special events, and an additional $600,000 through public and private grants, including the United Way of Merrimack Valley dollars. Last year, the “Reach Out for Youth” campaign raised more than $350,000 through individual giving and special events to provide financial assistance to nearly 2,000 children and families in need. These annual fund dollars provide financial assistance to needy and deserving children and families residing in the Greater Lawrence community to participate in YMCA programs. The goal of the “Reach Out For Youth” program is to assure that no one is turned away from the YMCA for inability to pay.
The YMCA’s Reach Out for Youth annual appeal and its special events represent the vehicles through which charitable dollars are raised each year to help make all of this possible:
- Offer financial assistance for children and families who would not otherwise be able to participate in YMCA programs and services.
- Provide funding to support camping experiences for low income youth within the Merrimack Valley, southern New Hampshire and throughout the northeast region.
- Subsidize outreach programs at all branches that serve specific needs and are not fully supported by fees. Some examples include: Junior and Teen Achievers, Mentoring, Youth & Government, Teen Leaders, Bright Futures, youth sports and family programming.
- Expand and develop new programmatic initiatives designed to meet community needs.
- Provide health, wellness and support for the 73 homeless or near homeless men residing in the Single Room Occupancy housing at the Lawrence Branch.
- Make health and wellness opportunities accessible to everyone.
The Merrimack Valley YMCA is a multi-faceted not-for-profit social service organization providing programs and services to preschoolers through senior citizens in the towns of Lawrence, Andover, North Andover, Methuen and Salem, New Hampshire. The Merrimack Valley YMCA is comprised of three facility branches: the Lawrence Branch on Lawrence Street in Lawrence founded in 1880; the Andover/North Andover Branch on Haverhill Street in Andover built in 1975 and the Methuen Branch opened in 2003. The Y also operates a Camping Services Branch with boys and girls resident camps on Bear Island, Lake Winnipesaukee and a day camp on Captain’s Pond in Salem, New Hampshire. Last year the YMCA marked its 126th anniversary.
In 2006, the Merrimack Valley served over 33,000 participants in a variety of program related activities such as preschool child care, tutoring and mentoring programs for elementary children, music and arts clubhouse, YMCA Youth & Government, teen leaders clubs, youth center, swimming and water safety, youth and adult sports leagues and teams, literacy programs, residences for homeless men, counseling services for alcohol and drug-related issues, job training, summer vacation clubs, resident camps and day camp and family programs and camping.
The Merrimack Valley YMCA’s mission, as a community-based organization governed by its members, is dedicated to putting Christian principles in practice through programs, membership opportunities and community services that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
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Merrimack Valley YMCA 2007 “Reach Out For Youth”
Volunteer Campaign Leadership
Chairperson
Jeffrey W. Leeds, of Andover
Vice-Chair
Laurence J. Rossi, of Methuen
Chair Andover/North Andover Branch
Joseph F. McGee, of Andover
Co-Chairs Camping Services Branch
Edward Meagher, of Amesbury
Bryan Sweet, of Methuen
Co-Chairs Lawrence Branch
Marko Duffy, of Tewksbury
Norman Fahey, of Newburyport
Chair Methuen Branch
Jonathan J. Rossi, of Medford
Leadership Division Chairs
Michael S. Mancuso of Andover
Joseph M. Pelich of North Andover
Arthur M. Santos of Andover
Margot Bloom of Lynnfield
Julia Diaz Sullivan of Plaistow, NH
Business Division Chairs
Robert B. Needham of North Andover
Mary McKenzie of North Andover
Brian Vaughan of North Andover
Community Division Chairs
Brian Major of Andover
Rosalie Schniederjans of Burlington
