One of the things I always enjoyed about going back to school was shopping for new school supplies. We’d go as a family with our shopping list and make a fun day of it. New back pack, new pens, calculator, etc. It was great fun and helped take some of the disappointment out of another summer break ending.
Unfortunately, today too many families do not have the resources to pay for new school supplies. They do not get to make that trip to Target or Walmart for supplies to experience the excitement many of us once had as children. Going back to school should be an exciting time for all kids. To help make this time exciting and ease some of the financial burden for families, I am happy to write that the YMCA will be helping over 500 children right here in Naperville this fall to feel some of that new school year excitement.
In 2011 the Illinois Currency Exchange Charitable Foundation and its partners provided more than 12,000 sets of school supplies through its Back 2 School program. These supplies are distributed to disadvantaged children and families served by the YMCA of Metro Chicago and other partner Ys. This year their goal is to distribute 18,000 sets of school supplies through YMCAs across the greater Chicagoland area, including the YMCA in Naperville. In 2011 the Y in Naperville provided school supplies to more than 400 children in Naperville schools through this program. Our goal in 2012 is to provide more than 500 sets of school supplies to children.
At the Y — our motivation is to positively change lives. The Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive. Though the world may be unpredictable and times change, one thing remains certain- the Y is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities.
