YMCA receives Comcast grant to support youth programs
EAST HARTFORD, CT – (August 7, 2018) – The YMCA of Greater Hartford was recently joined by representatives of Comcast and YMCA program families to honor over 100 East Hartford students for their successful completion of the Y-BELL Power Scholars Academy. For the third consecutive year Comcast provided a cash and in-kind grant totaling $18,000 to support Power Scholars Academy and YMCA Celebrates Champions programs and events. Comcast’s in-kind support included a lap-top computer, which was presented at the ceremony to one student who had perfect attendance.
“The YMCA is proud to have Comcast as a long-standing supporter. Together, we are committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of financial circumstances, have access to programs and experiences that help them become strong, active learners so they can achieve their full potential.” said Harold Sparrow, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Hartford. “We thank Comcast for its support not only of the Power Scholars Academy, but for Y programs that provide young people with the tools to succeed in school and beyond.”
“Comcast is committed to promoting community service, expanding digital literacy, and developing tomorrow’s leaders, all of which are elements of this program,” said Daniel Glanville, Vice President of Government/Regulatory Affairs and Community Impact for Comcast’s Western New England Region, which is headquartered in Berlin. “We’ve been proud to work with the YMCA of Greater Hartford on a number of initiatives over the years and are pleased to provide this grant to help them continue the great work they do to ensure Hartford’s youth are positioned for success.”
Power Scholars Academy, which has now completed its sixth year in Hartford and fifth year in East Hartford, is a six-week summer program for youth in kindergarten through grade 5 that serves to mitigate summer learning loss by providing underserved youth with structured academic and enrichment activities. Students focus on math and reading, as well as enrichment activities that include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), health and fitness (e.g., yoga, nutrition, and hygiene), creative arts (e.g., drama and dance), and educational field trips, which provide unique educational experiences that may not otherwise be available to them. The Power Scholars Academy also hosts Mentor Days, wherein youth participate in college and career-oriented presentations, community service projects, and visits by community leaders who visit the program to talk about their professions and inspire scholars to pursue excellence.
The Power Scholars Academy curriculum is based on the Project-Based Learning model, which fosters student engagement and provides hands-on learning opportunities. Certified teachers, along with highly-qualified enrichment teachers, are hired to facilitate instruction and program activities. The Power Scholars Academy’s holistic approach promotes academic achievement, goal setting, and personal development, which students are able to sustain during the academic year.
About YMCA of Greater Hartford
The YMCA of Greater Hartford is a non- profit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization established in 1852 and is one of the nation’s oldest YMCA’s. The YMCA of Greater Hartford builds strong communities by helping individuals reach their fullest potential through transformative programs that promote Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. We help people reach their fullest potential by: putting a caring adult in the presence of every child; being good stewards of the resources entrusted to us; and working in partnership to eliminate the disparities in health and education. In 2017, the YMCA of Greater Hartford served more than 118,000 people in 52 towns and cities throughout the Capital Region. YMCA programs put the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into practice to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all participants.
About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the XFINITY brand. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts.
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Contact:
Natalie Zembrzuski
Director of Executive Relations
YMCA of Greater Hartford
(860) 595-3051
Websites: www.ghymca.org; www.comcastcorporation.com