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Media
Contacts:
Tom Beerntsen, President/CEO, Heritage YMCA Group 630.420.6277
Amy
Collins, Executive Director, Aurora Family YMCA 630.264.3123
Nicole
Falagrady, JCPenney Afterschool, JCPenney 972.431.4655
JCPENNEY AFTERSCHOOL
FUND SUPPORTS LOCAL
YMCA
Funds
Raised Through Recent JCPenney
Afterschool Round-Up Program
to
Provide Youth Access to Quality Afterschool Programs
(Naperville,
IL)….This past April, JCPenney
customers were invited to "round-up" their purchases to
the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the JCPenney
Afterschool Fund. Thanks to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and JCPenney
customers participating in the recent Afterschool Round-up program,
local children have even more access to safe, life-enriching after
school programs through the Heritage YMCA serving Aurora, Naperville
and Oswego communities.
Studies
show that more than 14.3 million children in the U.S. are unsupervised
between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. every day. Additionally,
studies show that youth are at greater risk of involvement in crime,
drug abuse, and other destructive behaviors during these hours.
High-quality after school programs provide a safe alternative for
children and produce life-changing, lasting benefits, including
healthier lifestyles, improved social skills and enhanced academic
performance.
For
more than 50 years, the nation's YMCAs have been providing quality,
safe after school programs across the country and together are a
leading nonprofit resource for parents seeking meaningful and fun
afternoon activities for their children. Locally, the Heritage YMCA
has directly benefited from the financial support provided by the
JCPenney Afterschool Fund.
"Children
are our greatest asset and together we can help reduce the number
of underserved youth, ensuring
that students of all backgrounds and income levels are able to benefit
from these life-enriching after school programs such as our Y Safe
'n Sound program which serves over 800
children each day," stated Tom Beerntsen, President/CEO, Heritage
YMCA.
Through
partnerships with the YMCA of the USA, Boys & Girls Clubs of
America, National 4-H and United Way of America, the JCPenney Afterschool
Fund helps prepare children to reach their full potential by providing
them with essential after school opportunities. This year all the
donations collected by the JCPenney store at Fox Valley Shopping
Center and stores in Montgomery and Oswego, including this April's
Round-up event as well as Round-up events to be held this Aug. and
Dec. will be donated to the Heritage YMCA.
About
the Heritage YMCA
The
Heritage YMCA, an Activate America YMCA,
www.heritageymca.org, serves over 22,000 members across
Aurora, Naperville and Oswego communities. The YMCA provides positive
spirit, mind and body wellness experiences to members and 1000s
of community participants. Four core values are the foundation of
all program experiences; Cariing, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.
The Y's business is about instilling values in children, changing
lives, lifting self esteem, and helping children have hopes and
dreams for tomorrow. The YMCA is committed to serving all children
and families without regard to financial ability to pay. No one
is turned away from the YMCA because of an inability to pay the
cost of participation. The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign and support
from the community makes this commitment possible. The Heritage
YMCA mission is "To enhance quality of life for families through
programs reflecting Christian principles to build healthy spirit,
mind and body for all."
In
conclusion, the nation's 2,663 YMCAs serve 20.2 million people
each year, including 9.4 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 a place for people to belong, serving America's children,
families and communities for nearly 160 years by "building
healthy spirit, mind and body for all." Visit
www.heritageymca.org.
About
the JCPenney Afterschool Fund
The
JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a charitable organization committed
to advancing the afterschool movement in JCPenney communities by
increasing access for children in need, inspiring innovation in
the field, and elevating awareness of the value of afterschool programs.
Currently, move than 14 million youth in America are unsupervised
every day between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Through partnerships
with the YMCA of the USA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, National
4-H and United Way of America, the JCPenney Afterschool Fund helps
prepare children to reach their full potential by providing them
with essential afterschool opportunities. |
