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NEWS
THE JCPENNEY AFTERSCHOOLFUND AWARDS GRANT TO PIKE COUNTY
YMCA
August 13, 2007- The Pike
County YMCA is providing more children than ever before
with access to quality afterschool programs with the
help of a grant from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, a
charitable organization committed to providing children
in need with access to life-enriching afterschool
programs that foster their academic, physical and social
development. The grants, which totals almost $11,000.00,
is specifically targeted to help provide financial
assistance to youth who are financially in able to
participate in an afterschool program and those who are
currently participating in a program but are at risk of
leaving due to lack of funds.
“The JCPenney Afterschool
Fund is firmly committed to supporting YMCA’s and other
organizations dedicated to keeping America’s children
safe and constructively engaged during the afterschool
hours” said Denise McGarry, store manager for JCPenney’s
Chillicothe store. “ Children are our greatest asset and
together we can help reduce the number of un-served
youth, ensuring that students of all backgrounds and
income levels are able to benefit from these
life-enriching afterschool programs”
In addition to the
JCPenney Afterschool Fund grant, the Pike County YMCA
will receive 19 gift cards from the J.C. Penney Company
to assist with the purchases of school clothing and
supplies.
“ The YMCA is grateful for
the generous support of the JC Penney Afterschool Fund
and the J. C. Penney Company,” said John Pennington
Executive Director of the YMCA. “ We strive to serve as
many children as possible with high-quality afterschool
programming, and thanks to their commitment, we are able
to introduce more students to a world of opportunities
by involving them in a safe, affordable program. It is
one of the most important programs we offer, as studies
show that youth are at a greater risk of involvement in
crime, drug abuse and other destructive behaviors
between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day.”
In addition to awarding
nearly $ 11,000.00 to the Pike County YMCA, the JCPenney
Afterschool Funds and J. C. Penney Company are providing
similar grants and gift cards donations to 319 other
YMCAs around the country. In 2007, gifts to the YMCA
from both the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and the J.C.
Penney Company will exceed $ 3.9 million.
“ We share the YMCA’s
dedication to providing safe, meaningful afterschool
programs during the crucial hours when children are out
of school,” said Jodi Gibson, community relations and
afterschool director for JCPenney. “ Nationally there
are more than 14.3 million young people not currently
active in afterschool programs who could benefit from
these important programs that foster healthy lifestyles,
improved social skills and enhanced academic
performance.
For more than 50 years,
the nation’s YMCAs have been engaging children in safe,
quality afterschool programs that supplement children’s
in school learning. Today, with more than 10,000
afterschool programs across the country, the nation’s
YMCAs are a leading nonprofit resource for parents
seeking meaningful and fun afternoon activities for
their children. The Pike County YMCA offers an array of
afterschool programming for youth including homework
assistance, swimming, outdoor activity’s, gym time and
this year students will get the opportunity to utilize
the new youth fitness center at the Y according to Donna
Dutcher Child care Director for the YMCA. Parents
interested in finding out more information about the
afterschool program and scholarships for the afterschool
program are encourage to contact her at the YMCA for
details.
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