Thanks to a generous $25,000 sponsorship from Delta Air Lines supporting YMCA of Silicon Valley’s Summer Learning Program, San Jose youth will have a safe place to continue learning while school doors are closed this summer.
Delta’s support will help prevent summer learning loss and provide reading and enrichment to the 117 youth who will be participating in the 2019 YMCA Summer Learning Program at Rocketship Los Suenos Academy in San Jose.
The YMCA Summer Learning Program is designed to mitigate summer learning loss and improve literacy skills for low-income first through third grade students who are reading below grade level.
Over the last three years, Delta has partnered with the YMCA of Silicon Valley to help close the academic achievement gap for Silicon Valley youth through YMCA after school and summer programs that improve students’ educational readiness, engagement and outcomes, while helping them grow emotionally and physically, too.
“Our organization is deeply grateful for the continued support from Delta Air Lines,” says Sandy Berlin Walker, YMCA of Silicon Valley CEO. “Our partnership ensures we are able to offer high quality programs to community youth who otherwise would not have access to educationally enriching summer opportunities. As a result of Delta’s generosity, we’re able to provide even more San Jose students with opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive when school is out.”
When school is out for the summer, many children struggle to access educational and enrichment opportunities. The Y’s Summer Learning Program is part of an ongoing effort to close the academic achievement gap and ensure that all students have a safe and enriching environment to be in when school is out. Evidence-based research has shown that low-income students lose 2.5 to 3 months of learning each summer and this is cumulative over their school career. This program enables students to avoid falling further behind over the summer and even catch up to their peers performing at grade level by the start of the next school year. Additionally, studies show that getting kids to read at grade level by third grade significantly improves their likelihood of completing high school.
“Delta’s mission to connect the world starts with our commitment to being a strong partner to the communities where employees live, work and serve. Giving back is core to Delta and its culture, demonstrated by our commitment to invest one percent of net income to charitable organizations each year. We are proud to partner with the YMCA of Silicon Valley to help with our mission of advancing education, “ said Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director – Community Engagement at Delta.
The benefits for youth who participate in this program are undeniable.
Each year, 100% of participants who attend the Y Summer Learning Program do not meet standards in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency prior to attending the program. Throughout the six week program, participants increase literacy levels, enjoy healthy meals and physical exercise, and benefit from enrichment activities, such as field trips to science museums.
Evaluations at the end of the 2018 program showed that these students not only avoided typical summer learning loss, but actually gained an average of 2.2 months in reading levels.
During summer 2019, YMCA of Silicon Valley will offer the YMCA Summer Learning Program at 19 school and community program sites throughout Silicon Valley, from Redwood City to Gilroy. For information about the YMCA’s Summer Learning Program, call (408) 715-6400 or visit http://www.ymcasv.org.
As a non-profit organization, the Y raises funds every year to help ensure that its programs and services remain accessible to all members of the community, regardless of income. Last year, more than 18,000 individuals throughout Silicon Valley were able to participate in YMCA programs and services as a result of the Y’s financial assistance program.
To learn how you can join Delta Air Lines in helping kids reach their full potential in your community, please visit: http://www.ymcasv.org/association/html/giving.html.
About the YMCA of Silicon Valley
YMCA of Silicon Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, YMCA of Silicon Valley serves more than 262,000 members and participants — regardless of age, income or background —by nurturing the potential of children and teens, improving health and well-being, and providing opportunities to give back and support our neighbors. The organization collaborates with 200 community partners and delivers programs and services at 10 health and wellness facilities, one resident camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and more than 300 school and community sites. Last year, YMCA of Silicon Valley leveraged more than $18 million in support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies to enrich the lives of children, adults and families who otherwise could not afford its services. For more information, visit: www.ymcasv.org.