YMCA Receives JCPenney Afterschool Grant
August 8, 2008
THREE MERRIMACK VALLEY YMCA BRANCHES AWARDED $10,200 GRANTS FROM JCPENNEY AFTERSCHOOL FUND
FUNDING TO HELP ENGAGE MORE YOUTH DURING AFTERSCHOOL HOURS
The JCPenney Afterschool Fund has awarded three grants of $10,200 each to the Merrimack Valley YMCA to help more children participate in safe, life-enriching afterschool programs. These funds are earmarked for after-school childcare programs at the Y's Andover/North Andover, Lawrence and Methuen Branches.
This gift is one of 340 similar grants being awarded by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund to YMCAs around the country. JCPenney Afterschool Fund's total national contribution exceeds $3.5 million.
The grant award is specifically targeted to help YMCAs provide financial assistance to youth who are not currently participating in an afterschool program because their families lack the necessary financial resources, or those who are currently participating in a program, but who are at risk of leaving due to lack of funds.
"The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is firmly committed to supporting youth-serving organizations like the YMCA that are dedicated to providing safe, meaningful programs during the crucial hours of 3 to 6 p.m., when studies show that youth are at a greater risk of involvement in crime, drug abuse and other destructive behaviors," says Jodi Gibson, president of the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. "By combining resources, we can help reduce the number of unserved youth and ensure that students of all backgrounds and income levels are able to benefit from afterschool programs."
Complementing the JCPenney Afterschool Fund's support of the Merrimack Valley YMCA is a separate gift from JCPenney of 18 JCPenney Gift Cards worth $50 each for children receiving financial assistance from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund grant to help with the purchase of school clothing and supplies for the new school year.
"The generous support of the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and JCPenney enhances our efforts to serve as many children as possible with meaningful, high-quality afterschool programming," says Stephen C. Ives, President/CEO of the Merrimack Valley YMCA. "They believe, as we do, that children are our greatest asset, and that by working together we can not only keep children safer, but also help provide them with lasting benefits, including healthier lifestyles, improved social skills and an enhanced academic performance."
Today, with nearly 10,000 child care programs across the country, the nation's YMCAs are a leading resource for parents looking to find engaging and fun afternoon activities for their children. Most YMCA afterschool programs include elements that promote health and well-being, social skill development, emotional development, artistry, character development, sports and service. In the Greater Lawrence area, the Merrimack Valley YMCA serves nearly 1,000 children on a daily basis.
