3,000 students have participated in program since 1992 inception
UNION GROVE – The Racine YMCA’s Young Leaders Academy helps troubled, inner-city youth become responsible, respectable adults.
It’s through volunteers and donations that support its mission.
Community State Bank’s Dean Powers chose the Racine YMCA as a recipient of the bank’s seventh annual #Gift2Giving employee-driven donation campaign.
“These funds go towards keeping social programs that we’re really proud, specifically the Young Leaders Academy, going,” said Brian Lee, Racine YMCA Board Chairman. “This helps support Racine Unified and get kids on the right track.”
Approximately 3,000 students have gone through the Young Leaders Academy since it was created in 1992.
It nurtures the development of leadership abilities and life skills of inner-city youth, empowering them to improve the quality of their life and assists them in becoming productive citizens.
The program has helped over two dozen kids receive scholarships to Carthage College, according to Lee.
“We’re tremendously proud of it,” Lee said. “We now have kids that went through the program that are now back teaching it. It’s come full circle for them.”
Powers said it's a good example of one community staple supporting another.
“I think there’s a good alignment between the YMCA and Community State Bank in terms of our values,” Powers said. “It’s a good fit.”
Community State Bank gives each of its employees $150 to donate to a nonprofit organization of their choice. In addition to the bank-provided funds, Community State Bank matches any employee donation up to $150.
To learn more about Community State Bank’s #Gift2Giving campaign and this year's recipients, visit www.csb.bank/gift2giving.