YWCA Western New York launches ADOPT A CLASSROOM!

BUFFALO, N.Y. – YWCA Western New York is launching an exciting new funding venture just in time for its back-to-school program activities. The new endeavor, entitled Adopt a Classroom, will offer WNY companies, foundations and individuals an opportunity to financially support the YWCA’s numerous children and youth services programs for the entire 2016-17 school year.

YWCA WNY has a long tradition of delivering comprehensive and high quality programs and services that foster healthy development and nurture the potential of every child. Serving low- income children and their families in Western New York, their comprehensive children and youth services programs incorporate educational, social, emotional and physical wellness, enrichment and college/career readiness activities.

“Each year we begin the new school term with an enthusiastic staff and outstanding programs that promote educational success and family involvement. However despite these advantages, we still find ourselves limited by basic funding constraints,” says YWCA Western New York CEO, Jill Robbins. “The success of Adopt-a-Classroom can change all that and help us provide our children with many of the basic tools necessary to succeed in school.”

Contributions to Adopt-a-Classroom will fund basic classroom needs, including:

•   School supplies (pencils, crayons, writing & construction paper, chalk)
•   Visual learning materials (educational charts, posters, number & letter stand-ups)
•   Learning aids for lessons in Math (Lego, Play-Doh, plastic numbers & letters)
•   Computers and software for use by Early Childhood, School Age and Teen programs
•   Field trips!

Items purchased from this unrestricted funding source will be utilized across all YWCA programs. Covering a range of ages and locations, beneficiary programs will include the Early Childhood Center and After School/Out-of-School Time programs in Buffalo; After School at Cleveland Hill Elementary; Lackawanna Extended School Day and Summer Camp Program; Teen Empowerment Program; and Erie County Family Court Children’s Center.

“These needs are essential, but not always available to the children we serve in our programs,” notes YWCA Western New York Development Committee Co-Chair, Maureen Hammett. “The dollars we seek are modest, but the children’s need is significant. We hope everyone in the community will participate and make an impact in the lives of the many children we serve.”

Adopt-a-Classroom contributions are sought in any dollar level. The YWCA hopes to receive approximate amounts of $100 from individuals within the community, $500 from area businesses/corporations, and $1,000 from local foundations. There are multiple ways to donate to Adopt-a-Classroom. Interested parties may go to: http://ywca-wny.org/donate/adopt-a-classroom/ for additional information, or contact YWCA WNY at 716.852.6120. Donations will be accepted through October 31, 2016.