Tucsonans can help youths in need this month by making a donation to the Interfaith Community Servicesβ Youth Enrichment Support Program.
The program, which evolved from the βGifts of Love Backpack Campaign,β seeks to raise $10,000 to provide support for early childhood education, school supplies and after-school sports or clubs for children from low-income families.
βLast year during COVID, we obviously couldnβt have our backpack and school supply distribution day, so we started to pivot the program to get folks supplies they would need for remote learning, including tablets, desks and other supplies. We also had an enrichment fund through our emergency financial services to offer support for music lessons, math and other educational enrichment programs that might be out of reach for many kids, and we have combined these two programs,β said Ann Garn, ICS communications manager.
The YES program has evolved to include support not only for academic needs such as electronics and necessary technology, science supplies, tutoring, internships and class fees, but also with extracurricular activities in music, the arts, sports and summer camps.
It seeks to provide assistance for at least 200 children annually and offers a unique way to lift children and families on the heels of the isolation and challenges experienced by so many during the pandemic, according to Lauryn Valladarez, director of self-sufficiency programs for ICS.
βAfter the last school year, there are so many supports that families need to get back to school and catch up. In order to support youth in meaningful ways, we want to support them over a couple of months and even more if possible. Donations that add funding to this program increase our capacity to serve families, and access to extra-curricular activities benefits their physical health, social and emotional skills, and academics,β Valladarez said.
For information on the YES program, or to make an online donation, visit p2p.onecause.com/icsyouthenrichmentsupport or call 526-9288.
