Gina is a single mother working hard to support her 7-year-old daughter, Grace. She works full time as a server and attends local community college in the evenings. Money is very tight in their small family and any extracurricular activity for Grace seems like an unaffordable luxury.
Thanks to a friend, Gina learned about the YMCA Financial Assistance Program. This program has given Gina the opportunity to enroll Grace in swimming lessons where she has learned how to swim. Chess class has helped Grace to improve her critical thinking skills and improve her success at school. Y Summer Camp provided not only a safe place last summer, but also allowed her to make new friends and visit places she would never be able to experience on her own.
In March, the Naperville YMCAs kickoff our Annual (Strong Kids) Campaign to support kids and families like Gina and Grace. At the Y we believe everyone deserves the same opportunities, no matter who you are or where you’re from. We reinforce to youth in all Y programs that we believe in them and if they believe in themselves, anything is possible. This belief is at the heart of the YMCA’s efforts providing more than $400,000 in financial assistance annually to youth and families in need. From child care to swim lessons to early learning programs- The Y is here to help ensure that everyone can reach their full potential. But we can’t do it without your help.
Over the next 3 months YMCA Board Members, volunteers and staff will be sharing Y stories of impact like Gina and Grace’s. Please take the time to hear about the life changing opportunities provided at the Y every day and how you can help our cause. Together we can build a better us.
