$5,000 grant from Jcpenney helps YMCA Afterschool Programs
SCHAUMBURG, IL [JANUARY 15, 2013] The Alfred Campanelli YMCA has received a $5,000 grant from jcp cares, jcpenney's new charitable giving program, to provide school-aged children with financial assistance to attend afterschool programs at the Y. This gift provides children in the greater Schaumburg community, who otherwise could not afford to participate, with access to life-enriching afterschool programs that cultivate the values, relationships and skills kids need to thrive.
According to the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit public awareness advocacy organization, 15.1 million U.S. children are left unsupervised after 3 p.m. during the school year. Studies show participation in afterschool programs helps boost school attendance and academic performance and reduces gaps in academic achievement among children from disadvantaged households.
“As a company founded on the Golden Rule, jcpenney has a strong legacy of giving back,” said Miki Woodard, president of jcp cares and vice president of philanthropy at jcpenney. “We are firmly committed to organizations like the Y, which truly make a difference in their communities.”
The Campanelli YMCA sees the benefits of this collaboration first-hand. “The support of jcpenney enhances our efforts to serve as many children as possible with meaningful, high-quality afterschool programming,” says Judi Nealey, Director of Mission Advancement. “By working together we can not only keep children safer, but also help provide them with lasting benefits, including healthier lifestyles, improved social skills and an enhanced academic performance.” In the greater Schaumburg area, the Y serves approximately 400 children in afterschool programming across 7 YMCA program sites.
In addition to supporting local Ys' afterschool programs, jcpenney, through jcp cares, has named the Y as its featured charity for the month of January 2013. Jcpenney team members will invite customers throughout the month of January to round up their purchases in stores to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the Y. These resources will support the Y's national commitment to closing the achievement gap through three key programs: early learning, afterschool and summer learning. jcpenney will feature the Y prominently on the company's web site (www.jcp.com), in mailings to customers and nationwide in stores throughout January. Donations will also be accepted online through January 31 at: www.jcpenny.com/jcpcares.
About jcpenney
Over 110 years ago, James Cash Penney founded his company on the principle of treating customers the way he wanted to be treated himself: fair and square. Today, rooted in its rich heritage, J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP) is re-imagining every aspect of its business in order to reclaim its birthright and become America¹s favorite store. The Company is transforming the way it does business and remaking the customer experience across its 1,100 jcpenney stores and on jcp.com. On every visit, customers will discover straightforward Fair and Square pricing, month-long promotions that are in sync with the rhythm of their lives, exceptionally curated merchandise, artful presentation, and unmatched customer service. For more information about jcpenney, visit jcp.com.
About the Y
The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. ymca.net