FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Goizueta Foundation Awards $2.6 Million Grant to YMCA of the USA
Funding to establish Hispanic family early childhood outreach
CHICAGO, June 28, 2007—The Goizueta Foundation has awarded a grant of $2,612,055 to pilot early childhood outreach for Hispanic communities at five YMCA program sites in Georgia, as well as conduct national research and program development on early childhood education and care for Hispanic children, YMCA of the USA has announced . In addition, the grant will provide immediate need-based tuition assistance to children at the proposed YMCA early childhood centers in Georgia over three years.
The Goizueta Foundation funding will enable YMCA of the USA to work with the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, the Moultrie (GA) YMCA and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia to initiate a program entitled Welcoming Hispanic Families at the selected program locations to better engage Hispanic families in YMCA early childhood education and care.
Welcoming Hispanic Families is specifically designed to address the challenges of serving the growing Hispanic community by providing bilingual staff and staff support, culturally relevant curricula, and professional development opportunities to help retain staff.
The implementation of this program, along with annual financial assistance for low-income children, will enable the participating YMCAs to enhance the quality of care they provide for all children and families, particularly those from Hispanic communities, and increase the number of Hispanic families they serve.
“I am very pleased that the Welcoming Hispanic Families program will help us to develop new resources to engage Hispanic children and families in YMCA early childhood education and care,” said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “The pilot program in both rural and urban settings will certainly have an important impact on how we improve our service to Hispanic communities, while generating positive services and improvements to the communities themselves.”
The project will involve local collaborations and long-term community-based planning and research to develop new ways to engage the Hispanic community in YMCA early childhood education in Georgia and, eventually, at other Ys throughout the country.
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ABOUT THE GOIZUETA FOUNDATION: The Goizueta Foundation, established in 1992 by Roberto C. Goizueta, aims to support educational programs that promote sustainable change and have a long-term impact in the community. Its mission is to assist organizations that empower individuals and families through educational opportunities to improve the quality of their lives. In order to carry out this vision, the foundation works closely with potential grantees to encourage open communication and foster a sense of community partnership. Visit www.goizuetafoundation.org.
ABOUT YMCA OF THE USA: YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation’s 2,663 YMCAs, which serve nearly 20.2 million people each year, including 9.5 million children under the age of 18. YMCAs unite men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs are collectively the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of child care and afterschool programs in nearly 10,000 diverse communities and neighborhoods across the U.S. A place for people to belong, YMCAs have proudly served America’s communities for nearly 160 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Visit www.ymca.net to find your local YMCA.
For more information, please contact:
Diane Hurles
Donor Relations Manager
YMCA of the USA
(312) 419-8325
diane.hurles@ymca.net