Some elementary students that come from financially challenged families rely on after-school programming to both achieve academically or thrive socially.
The YMCA of Northern BC’s Beyond the Bell carries out this motto each year for Prince George’s Glenview Elementary, but it’s now asking the public for some extra help in making sure the program continues for the remainder of 2020-21.
Today (Oct. 26), the non-profit’s campaign gained an $85,000-donation boost from Enbridge, which is set to be allocated over the next three years, but for this school-calendar year, that still leaves a $13,000 gap.
“It’s about academic support, it’s about good nutrition and it’s about physical activity,” said YMCA CEO Amanda Alexander during a news conference this morning.
“And kids who attend Beyond the Bell all have financial barriers.
“It is support from individuals and businesses, like Enbridge, that allow us to deliver our mission of building healthy communities by ensuring that vulnerable children are not left behind.”
Beyond the Bell, according to the YMCA of Northern BC, is a 100 per cent philanthropically funded program.
It costs the Y roughly $2,000 for a child to attend Beyond the Bell, and about 40 kids identified as vulnerable are taken in each year free of charge.
“We know that income is directly connected to health and education outcomes, so this program is changing the lives and future for children in our community,” Alexander adds in noting the current funding ended back in June.
Since then, it has received financial help from Canadian Tire and the Vancouver Foundation.
Enbridge spokesperson Rikki Beaudet is encouraging Prince George residents and businesses to step forward as well.
“It takes all of us to build a healthy community,” she said.
“That includes helping to break the cycle of poverty. We are proud to support YMCA’s Beyond the Bell program which fuels academic success and empowers every child in our community to reach their full potential.”
For more information on Beyond the Bell, or if you wish to make a donation, you’re asked to visit the program’s page on the YMCA of Northern BC website.
