Outreach

John E. Ford Elementary

The YMCA at the Bank of America Tower has been helping at-risk youth at John E. Ford Elementary School since 1998! Through mentoring, men and women in Jacksonville have the opportunity to spend one hour a week with a student. This hour has proven to be life changing for both the mentor and mentee. Mentoring gives an opportunity for purpose to be found, friendships to be made and rewards received.

Find purpose and rewards through volunteering! If you are interested in making a difference in a child's life, please contact Melissa Wells, Outreach Director at 356-9622.

Mentee: Deja Foster, 5th Grade
Mentor: Tracee Young, Regency Centers
This is the 2nd year that they have been matched at John E. Ford School through our Outreach Program.

Through gifts from the Strong Kids campaign, fifth-grader Deja Foster has worked with Mentor Tracee Young at the John E. Ford School. "My relationship with Ms. Tracee is so important because if I need help, she is by my side and if she needs help, I am by her side. It makes me excited each week when we meet. Ms. Tracee plays games with me and she helps me with my work if I do not finish it, or if I do not understand my math. When we play games, sometimes we talk about my grades or my progress reports. I am really thankful to have her as my friend."

The YMCA...

Strong Families:
During the 2007 fiscal year, 17,685 participants were served in Positive Youth Development programs. In 2007, the YMCA provided a summer camp experience to 1,040 campers at Camp Immokalee; 8,760 children participated in YMCA Child Care Programs with 3,034 of those receiving YMCA financial assistance totaling $1,109,918.

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