WARSAW — The YMCA, a longtime leader in youth development, in partnership with schools and families, is working to improve the educational readiness, engagement and outcomes for our county’s children.

Statistics show that a large number of children from low-income environments reach kindergarten unprepared and that they continue to fall behind in school without the proper interventions. As a Title 1 School, 65 percent of Leesburg Elementary School’s students are receiving a free and/or reduced lunch. One in four children from low income families are left home alone unsupervised and don’t have the opportunity for homework help at home. This program is meant to intervene in supplying the help kids might need to bridge the “Achievement Gap” found between those of different socioeconomic levels.

To meet this need, the YMCA received three grants from component funds of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation: 1) $2,500 from the Kosciusko REMC Operation Round Up Fund, 2) $3,276 from the Lilly Unrestricted Endowment Fund and 3) $2,724 from the Dekko Enhancement Fund. The Old National Bank Foundation also awarded the YMCA $3,000 in support of the program.

The students who need help will be identified by their teachers. It is hoped that 60 students will be impacted by this program by the end of the school-year. The program will be led by certified teachers. Progress for each student will be tracked through test scores, reading ability, homework scores and homework completion.

Starting on Oct. 3, the children will meet Monday-Thursday after school for about 1 ½ – 2 hours a day. Children will be split into groups for tutoring and homework help. Please contact Tonya Douglass at (574) 269-9622 x221 for more information about the program.

The Y is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. All the efforts and offerings of the Kosciusko Community YMCA are guided by the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure everyone regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through Aug. 2016, the Kosciusko Community YMCA provided $100,845 in financial assistance to make sure that happens.