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Fairborn YMCA to receive portion of grant

17 January 2013

Fairborn YMCA to receive portion of grant
Fairborn Daily Herald
by Amanda Crowe
1/17/13

The Fairborn YMCA will be able to assist more local children with the help of a charitable donation from JCPenny.
The YMCA of Greater Dayton has received a $25,000 grant from JCP cares, JCPenney’s new charitable giving program, to provide school-aged children with financial assistance to attend after school programs at the Y.

This gift provides children in Dayton, Kettering, West Carrollton, Fairborn and the Eaton communities, who otherwise could not afford to participate, with access to life-enriching after school programs that cultivate the values, relationships and skills kids need to thrive. Each YMCA location received $5,000 towards the programs.

“We’re very excited to have this grant as it will allow us to provide scholarships for 10 kids in the Fairborn community to attend our school-age enrichment programming,” said Tim Short, executive director of the Fairborn Y.

These programs are provided for school-age children who need a place to go when their parents are at work. In the Miami Valley, the YMCA of Greater Dayton serves 650 children in after school programs. There are currently 45 children in the Fairborn Y enrichment program, with a capacity of 72.

“The program has changed over the last year or so, making the shift from just a childcare facility to a truly enriching program,” Short said. “This grant along with the new curriculum we’ve started will allow us to provide much better enrichment opportunities for these kids.

The new curriculum includes a focus in the areas of math and science along with a new reading initiative. Children also participate in a wellness program including physical activities and nutritional education three days a week.

“We want to keep kids active as well as helping them maintain healthy lifestyles,” said Short. “Every child in the program receives a nutritious snack, and most importantly, love and care of staff who want to see them grow and thrive. The Fairborn community has a great need for people who will love on kids, and we do that.”

In addition to supporting local Ys’ after school programs, jcpenney, through jcp cares, has named the YMCA as its featured charity for the month of January 2013. Jcpenney team members will invite customers throughout the month of January to round up their purchases in stores to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the Y.

“As a company founded on the Golden Rule, jcpenney has a strong legacy of giving back,” said Miki Woodard, president of jcp cares and vice president of philanthropy at jcpenney. “We are firmly committed to organizations like the Y, which truly make a difference in their communities.”

JCPenney will feature the Y prominently on the company’s web site (www.jcp.com), in mailings to customers and nationwide in stores throughout January. Donations will also be accepted online through January 31 at www.jcpenny.com/jcpcares.

For more information about the school-age enrichment program at the Fairborn YMCA, contact Jenni Stukkie, Family Life Director, at 937-754-9622.