Our Y Success Stories - You Can Help

See the Need

The YMCA Community Action Project (Y-CAP) Strong Kids Campaign (SKC) gives you the opportunity to help improve and enhance the lives of inner-city youth, their families and the community. The number of juvenile court referrals for deliquent behavior has steadily increased over the past several years and nearly 1 in 5 freshmen will not have a diploma in four years. This year 650 youth will drop out of school, costing our community approximately $190 million in a lifetime.

See the Transformation

Alfred entered Y-CAP with behavioral problems, truancy and academic struggles. Eventually, his alcoholic mother's lack of involvement led him to being discharged from Y-CAP. A year and a half later, Alfred walked in the Y-CAP office begging to return. Upon re-entering the program, Alfred worked diligently alongside tutors to bring up his failing grades, and in one grading period, he raised his grades to a B average. He went on to graduate eighth grade on time with honors. Today Alfred is a Y-CAP junior staff member.

The Grace of Giving

Last year, the YMCA helped many, many people like Alfred who is now in high school. Because community and Y members cared, these members’ lives will never be the same. Make a difference in the lives of others and in your own life through the 2011 Strong Kids Campaign. Contact Tripp McCallie, Vice President Financial Development at 423-265-8834, ext.#106 tmccallie@ymcachattanooga.org or stop by the welcome center at your neighborhood YMCA.