Jcpenney grant helps more children in Shoreline & Edmonds participate in YMCA Afterschool Programs

The Dale Turner Family YMCA was one of 235 Ys nationwide to receive a $5,000 grant from jcpenney to provide more school-aged children with financial assistance to attend afterschool programs at the Y. 

As a result, more children in the Shoreline and Edmonds communities, who otherwise could not afford to participate, have access to life-enriching afterschool programs that cultivate the values, relationships and skills kids need to thrive, now and as adults.

This is the second year that jcpenney has supported the local Y’s afterschool programs.

The Dale Turner Family YMCA sees the benefits of this collaboration first-hand. “The Y’s partnership with jcpenney has enabled us to provide working parents peace of mind, and their children a safe and affordable place to learn, grow and thrive,” says Courtney Whitaker, Executive Director of the Dale Turner Family YMCA. “Our local jcpenney store has been a very dedicated partner, not only in funding our afterschool initiatives, but also by promoting and supporting our community events and programs.”

In addition to awarding afterschool access grants, jcpenney supports approximately 500 Ys through pennies from heaven, the company’s philanthropic initiative that raises donations four times a year at jcpenney stores nationwide. During the designated campaign periods, jcpenney customers have the opportunity to round up their purchase total to the next whole dollar and donate the difference to the store’s local afterschool partner.

YMCAs have been engaging children in afterschool programs for more than 50 years. Today, Ys impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of youth at afterschool programs across the country. YMCA afterschool programs focus on the holistic development of youth and include elements that promote health and well-being, social skill development, emotional development, artistry, character development, sports and service.

In Shoreline and Edmonds, the YMCA serves over 8,000 youth and teens in afterschool child care, sports, and recreation programs. Over $217,000 was offered in the form of financial assistance to participants of these programs last year by the Dale Turner Family YMCA.

About the Y

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.