THE NEED
Children who fall behind in kindergarten will likely spend their school years struggling to catch up.

THE RESPONSE
Children who grow up in poverty and attend a quality preschool program are more likely to do well in school and earn more than their peers. The Y offers full-day preschools at the North Richmond and Downtown YMCAs for approximately 150 children, almost all of whom receive financial assistance.

Your gift of $250 provides one month of preschool education for one child.

THE NEED
The hours of 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. are the most dangerous hours in the day for unsupervised children.

THE RESPONSE
Our Y is the largest child care provider in the Commonwealth. Every day, 1,600 children spend after-school hours in the care of trained and caring professional YMCA staff. They benefit from homework help and a nutritious snack, participate in physical activity, and experience the core values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Your gift of $60 keeps one child safe after school for one week.

THE NEED
Teens who drop out of school will, on average, receive $320,000 in government assistance in their lifetime.

THE RESPONSE
The offers teens informal opportunities to drop in and hang out with friends and Y counselors. They can complete homework on a computer or work out. Some participate in more structured programs that stress academic achievement and community service. In all programs, teens are in a safe and nurturing environment that helps them develop into responsible adults.

Your gift of $550 will send one teen to the Blue Ridge Leaders School in Asheville, NC for one week of intensive training with other teens from the mid-Atlantic region.