The YMCA of South Palm Beach County has been granted a financial boost to aid its programming for local teens, thanks to a $55,000 donation from the Truist Foundation. The intention behind the significant funding is to reach over 950 teens in the community, according to information shared with BocaNewsNow.com. The monetary support will be allocated between the Peter Blum Family YMCA in Boca Raton, and the DeVos-Blum Family YMCA in Boynton Beach, targeted to help those from minority and low- to moderate-income backgrounds.
At no cost to participants,, the grant will support numerous programs including Y Leaders in Training, Youth in Government, and the Y Achievers Club, among others. These initiatives are designed to provide adolescents with leadership and workforce development skills, preparing them for future opportunities and success. In a statement obtained by The Boca Raton Tribune, it is explained that the YMCA aims to empower at-risk teens to develop necessary competencies for economic advancement through access to these comprehensive programs.
Bryan Hunt, Executive Director of the Peter Blum Family YMCA, emphasized the impact of this grant on the youth by stating to BocaNewsNow.com, "Investing in our teens is one of the most impactful commitments we can make. At the YMCA, we see firsthand how these programs empower young people to grow into confident, capable leaders." He continued by noting the significance of providing a supportive environment and opportunities that cultivate personal development, thereby enabling teens to build resilience and prosper in their communities.
A critical focus of the YMCA's teen programs is to prevent academic skills from stagnating during breaks from formal education. By maintaining access to educational resources and ongoing support, the aim is to keep at-risk teens continually engaged in their academic endeavors. By sustaining this consistency, they are helped to graduate from high school and successfully transition either to college or the workforce, laying the groundwork for their long-term achievements. "Equipping and empowering at-risk teens with the skills necessary to develop into our future leaders aligns with Truist’s purpose of inspiring and building better lives and communities," Jason Aube, Market President for Truist, told the BocaNewsNow.com.
