FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

YMCA OF THE USA SUPPORTS LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL AS NATIONAL PARTNER

More than 2,600 local YMCA events to celebrate and support afterschool

Washington, DC, October 14, 2004 - Today, YMCA of the USA is pleased to join the Afterschool Alliance as a National Partner for Lights On Afterschool, the only national event celebrating afterschool. YMCAs are collectively the nation's largest private provider of afterschool programs. "Afterschool is key to kids' success" is the rallying cry at thousands of events across the country in support of afterschool programs today. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance and sponsored by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and other organizations, the fifth annual Lights On Afterschool will bring together educators, service providers, community leaders, lawmakers, parents, business and religious leaders, and youth to draw attention to afterschool programs and the resources needed to keep their lights on and doors open.

"Afterschool is indeed key to a young person's success and as the nation's largest private provider of afterschool programs, YMCAs, with the help of partners like the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, are actively working to meet the demand of serving more youth in communities across the nation," said Kenneth L. Gladish, Ph.D., National Executive Director, YMCA of the USA.

"As the nation's largest corporate sponsor of afterschool programs, we are committed to promoting greater awareness of afterschool opportunities and ensuring more young people are involved with quality programs," said Vanessa Castagna, Chairman and CEO of JCPenney Stores, Catalog and Internet.

YMCAs from Maine to California are celebrating October 14 with fanfare that rivals upcoming Halloween festivities. Lights On Afterschool events are as varied as the communities that YMCAs serve, but all feature fun, educational activities. Most YMCAs are collaborating closely with their local schools, other youth-serving organizations and JCPenney Afterschool partners. Examples of events include:

Collectively, YMCAs serve more than 9 million children from infancy to age 17 in a variety of YMCA activities such as camping, youth sports and afterschool programs. YMCA afterschool programs are affordable to members of the community, and financial assistance is available. As not-for-profit organizations, YMCAs offer afterschool programs to help children grow physically, mentally and spiritually and include character development, international education, health and wellness, environmental awareness, school readiness, diversity and community service.

In May, YMCA of the USA supported the Afterschool Alliance and the JCPenney Afterschool Fund in the release of America After 3 PM, the most in-depth study ever to explore how America's children spend their afternoons. It found that 14.3 million kindergarteners through 12th graders care for themselves after the school day ends. Parents of more than 15 million children say their children would participate in afterschool programs if they were available.

A recent report commissioned by the YMCA of the USA, Dartmouth Medical School and the Institute for American Values provides scientific proof that what YMCAs do in afterschool and other programs is important and effective for kids and their families. The findings of Hardwired to Connect: The Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities show that surrounding our kids with rich networks of nurturing relationships not only helps them thrive, but has been shown to significantly alter brain development and protect them from developing emotional disorders like depression and anxiety, and from participating in risk-taking behaviors like using drugs and consuming alcohol.

"We are proud to support organizations, like YMCAs, who serve our country's youth by not only keeping them safe in the hours after school, but helping them reach the ‘power of their potential'," said Ed Solczak, Director of JCPenney Afterschool and Vice President of the JCPenney Afterschool Fund.

YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation's 2,575 YMCAs, collectively the nation's largest not-for-profit community service organization, serving 18.9 million people of all faiths, races, ages and incomes, including 9 million children. YMCAs offer a broad range of programs including youth leadership and volunteerism and are collectively the nation's largest providers of child care. Visit www.ymca.net.

JCPenney Afterschool is committed to helping provide children with high-quality, affordable afterschool programs to help them reach the "power of their potential." The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. JCPenney Afterschool has contributed more than $34 million during the past five years to five of America's leading after-school advocates. JCPenney Afterschool's support helps provide safe, fun and educational afterschool programs and raise awareness of the need for more such programs across the country.

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization supported by a group of public, private, and nonprofit entities working to ensure that all children and youth have access to afterschool programs by the year 2010. More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.

Lights On

Daniel Kasambira, executive director of the Western Area Family Branch YMCA in Birmingham, AL (ivory shirt) accepted a $15,000 check from JCPenney manager George Williams (gray suit) of the Irondale, AL Century Plaza store, on behalf of JCPenney Afterschool. The check was presented during halftime at the Minnesota Timberwolves v.s. Atlanta Hawks NBA exhibition game on October 14, 2004. The presentation recognized the fifth annual "Lights On Afterschool" national celebration which also took place on October 14 at YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs and other community centers. Youngsters from the Northeast, Western and Alabaster YMCAs and representatives from the Alabama United Way were also on hand to celebrate JCPenney's commitment to afterschool programs. YMCA of the USA is a national partner with "Lights On Afterschool" and the Afterschool Alliance.

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