Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Dear YMCA Members: On behalf of the YMCA of the Suncoast, I want to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas, a joyous Holiday Season and Happy New Year. THANK YOU to our members and volunteers for being a member of our Y family.
Your Y continues to be a leader in strengthening the foundation of the community. We are a cause-driven, charitable organization for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
These three focus areas embody all of our work and deliver on our Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
The YMCA of the Suncoast had an exciting year in 2017. At this time of the year the smile and laughter of children bring out our Christmas spirit. Fortunately for the Y, we enjoy that laughter all year long in programs like our Early Learning Readiness (ELR) for kids 0-4, Bridging the Achievement Gap (BTAG) program and our Power Scholars Academy in the summer.
These three focus areas embody all of our work and deliver on our Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
The YMCA of the Suncoast had an exciting year in 2017. At this time of the year the smile and laughter of children bring out our Christmas spirit. Fortunately for the Y, we enjoy that laughter all year long in programs like our Early Learning Readiness (ELR) for kids 0-4, Bridging the Achievement Gap (BTAG) program and our Power Scholars Academy in the summer.
Whether it's child and his parents getting ready for preschool or a senior in high school like Mike at our Greater Ridgecrest Y we are providing a safe place where they can be their best.
“I love BTAG because it takes me away from the ‘distractions back at home’. It has been good for me to concentrate on my grades. I am behind in school by one year and I want to do better.” – Mike, 12th Grader
Mike was homeless and he was already behind in school, when he joined BTAG. He had no hope of completing high school, and no direction of what to do with his lie. As a homeless teenager, he had no one to turn to, encourage him or provide him with guidance. He knew that neither of his parents finished high school. The Y is committed to closing the cycle of poverty through education.
Mike was homeless and he was already behind in school, when he joined BTAG. He had no hope of completing high school, and no direction of what to do with his lie. As a homeless teenager, he had no one to turn to, encourage him or provide him with guidance. He knew that neither of his parents finished high school. The Y is committed to closing the cycle of poverty through education.
ELR supports caregivers and children in low income communities to start kindergarten prepared to learn. Power Scholars Academy is a six-week summer program for low income school age children who are at risk of falling behind in school.
During the school year, students in the Y’s After School care receive tutoring and participate in STEM (Science Technical Engineering and Math) activities. BTAG guides teens through high school, and provides them with experiences like college tours, and opens their minds to opportunities after graduation that include college, technical school, job readiness.
When you donate to the Y, you’re paving the way of academic success for children who don’t have the resources to reach their full potential. All of these programs are free to the children and their families. Please consider a gift season that makes a difference now, and in the future life of a child at risk.
In 2018, the Y will once again renew our commitment to making sure all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential- for a better us!I urge you to stay in contact and communicate with us, in person, at our locations, online and via social media.
THANK YOU for being a member of our Y family and may God continue to bless you and your family during this holiday season.
In Service,
G. Scott Goyer
President/CEO, YMCA of the SUNCOAST