A new message from the CEO's desk

School is out, and families are looking for healthy outlets for their children. The folder of financial aid membership applications submitted year-to-date is more than two inches thick. Nearly every applicant has qualified for a 95% discount on a sixth-month single-parent family membership. A family of four earning less than $27,000 annually to be eligible for this discount. The six-month single-parent family membership costs the family $18.60. The YWCA and our sponsors cover the remaining $353.40. Additionally, qualifying families with children matching YWCA Youth program offerings are automatically sent financial need scholarship forms with the program descriptions. This is how you and the YWCA support families looking for healthy outlets for their children.

Please consider helping the youth of Gettysburg and Adams County by providing them with opportunities that may not otherwise be available to them. When you donate to the YWCA, you also donate toward growing healthy children. Children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn water safety and to swim, to develop basketball skills, to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) in a summer camp, and more.

Another way to help the youth in YWCA programs is to contribute to the recently purchased commercial stove for the Childcare Enrichment Program. Why was the new stove needed? 

●     Warm, nutritious lunches are prepared daily for over 100 children

●     Meals were prepared on a residential-size, glass-topped, electric range.

●     The glass top cracked under the weight of commercial-size cookware needed to prepare meals for that many children. 

●     A residential electric stove does not have enough space for multiple commercial-size pots on the surface or commercial-size trays in the oven.

●     A larger cooking surface and efficient meal preparation are achieved with a commercial-grade gas range with a double oven.

●     The cost of the new range, hood, and installation was over $5,000.

Please donate to support financial aid-based memberships, youth scholarships, and a means to provide warm, healthy, nutritious meals for the children in our childcare programs. Drop off or mail a check to 909 Fairfield Rd or donate securely online.

Reminder: The YWCA Pre-K Counts preschool classroom is for children from lower socio-economic households. The YWCA preschool program is why our organization qualifies as an EITC Tax Credit Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship provider.

“Thank you to everyone for upgrading my stove! I love it. 

And I look forward to bringing the kids hot meals on time!”

Ms. Cathy, Lead Nutritionist

YWCA Child Enrichment Program.

During the camp, students will:

1.    Learn the basics of engineering principles through hands-on cardboard construction.

2.    Develop teamwork and collaboration skills as you design and build your dream business.

3.    Explore problem-solving and critical-thinking strategies to overcome creative hurdles.

4.    Unleash your artistic talents with themed designs and imaginative details.

5.    Gain valuable experience in planning, budgeting, resource management (cardboard supplies, that is!), and presenting.

Here's the challenge for Grades 5-8:

Imagine a collaborative and interactive community with a business or service you design! Think arcade, fashion/clothing store, theater, restaurant, salon, car wash, construction site, airport, sporting event venue, amusement park, mini-golf course, or even an animal rescue! Now, picture all the details that would make your business come to life - signage, product displays, and even working mechanisms! You will share your design at a showcase for “city planners” (your family) at the end of the week.

Challenge for Grades 2-4: 

Imagine forts, vehicles, working robots, playhouses, and animal sculptures with working mechanisms for young children to enjoy. Brainstorm ideas and form design groups around the theme that most interests you. Design and build toddler-sized dramatic play structures from cardboard. Include working mechanisms to help develop preschoolers' fine and gross motor skills while learning through dramatic play. You will share your design at a showcase for “toy manufacturers” (your family) at the end of the week. *Campers bring a packed lunch & water bottle daily*

The camp fee is $250 for members and $260 for nonmembers. Scholarship applications are available by emailing membership@ywcagettysburg.org no later than June 10th.

Participants can choose to pay-as-you-go or purchase five-session or eight-session packages for a specific four-week period. The current session started on May 21, and another four-week series will start on June 18. Scholarships are available thanks to the WellSpan Inspire Youth Development Grant awarded to the YWCA. Membership@ywcagettysburg has more information on the financial need-based scholarships. 

All about Juneteenth and other Advocacy efforts are on our Advocacy Page.

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