Two Rivers YMCA successfully surpassed their fundraising goal of over a half million dollars in community support and anticipates raising more before the August 31st deadline. This achievement came from raising over 101% of the $350,000 Annual Campaign goal along with other grants and sponsorships that directly fund scholarships and programs.
Two important programs funded by the 2019 Annual Campaign include Nourish and the Summer Enrichment Initiative. Nourish is a community-wide collaboration preparing USDA meals and snacks to youth out of kitchens at three sites within Rock Island County—Two Rivers YMCA, Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, and Boys and Girls Club. At each of these kitchens YMCA staff members prepare food for children in youth programs at Two Rivers YMCA, Youth Hope, Boys and Girls Club, MLK, Jr. Center, Salvation Army, Spring Forward Learning Center, local schools, and other youth serving organizations. During the school year meals are served at 35 sites and this summer meals were served at 18 sites, averaging 2,200 meals per day.
The Summer Enrichment Initiative is a literacy program addressing summer learning loss in those youth most at risk of falling behind. Summer learning loss disproportionately affects low-income students, particularly in reading. Summer learning loss is cumulative and contributes substantially to the achievement gap and causes at-risk youth to fall behind a full grade level by sixth grade. This program is administered in partnership with United Way and employs East Moline and Moline school district educators at summer camp and program locations. This summer, the Y had a 100% success rate recorded after pre and post-tests. These tests showed that all of the 223 students either maintained or improved their academic reading level.
Jerry Lyphout, Two Rivers YMCA Annual Campaign Chair and National Secretary/Chief Administrative Officer at Modern Woodmen of America shared, “The Y helps people from every walk of life reach their potential, regardless of income. Last year Two Rivers YMCA provided nearly $1.5M in income-based programs and services back to the Quad Cities, which would not be possible without such outstanding philanthropic support from our community. We are extremely grateful to those that contributed to the Annual Campaign.”
Nearly one in five people who use the Y and one in three youth in Y programs receive financial support. Youth mentoring, after-school care, LIVESTRONG cancer survivor program, adaptive rowing, chronic disease programming, and summer camp all thrive thanks to donations. The Y also accepts capital donations to help fund facility enhancements and general remodeling. Enhancements coming to the Y this fall include the addition of a new cycling studio, warm pool family slide, and new exercise equipment/classroom space. All of this growth, change, and impact was made possible by outstanding donors and volunteers.