YMWIC March 2026 Newsletter

Preparing our Scholars to Create Tomorrow's Solutions

Hard Work, Big Results

What Your Support Made Possible

“A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.”

~ Colin Powell

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, YMWIC held its 15^th Annual Science Expo. Scholars from all nine chapters throughout the region came together at B. Reed Henderson High School to present their Science Projects. Having started their projects in September 2025, Scholars have been eagerly awaiting this moment to describe their scientific process and present their data and results to the judges for the chance to win first, second, or third place in their Scholar group.



For their projects, Scholars were tasked to complete background research, conduct an experiment, write a lab report based on their findings, and create a display board and PowerPoint slideshow to present at the Expo. Read more.

YMWIC 2026 Annual College Tour

YMWIC Scholars have headed out on our Annual College Tour! They departed on Sunday, March 29th, and they will travel to several universities over the course of five days - Old Dominion University, Hampton University, Winston-Salem University, North Carolina Central University, Morgan State University, and Virginia State University. Scholars will take tours, meet with faculty and staff, and complete daily reflections after each stop. Scholars will also visit the historic Woolworth's counter at the International Museum of Civil Rights, attend an etiquette night, and enjoy an evening of bowling. We wish them a safe and informational trip!

Celebrating the Women in our Community

During International Women's Month, we pause to celebrate the incredible women in our community who uplift and sustain our mission. Your generosity, leadership, and belief in our work make it possible for us to serve others with compassion and purpose. Whether you volunteer your time, advocate for our cause, or support us through donations and encouragement, you are an essential part of the change we create together. Because of you, our community is stronger, more connected, and full of hope. We are deeply grateful for the women who stand beside us and help turn our vision into reality every single day.

YMWIC MathCounts and TMAL Teams are prepared for the Penn Math Contest at the University of Pennsylvania

The YMWIC middle school MathCounts and High School Tri-Math-A-Lon (TMAL) Teams are hard at work during the Saturday Math SIG preparing for the upcoming competition at the University of Pennsylvania's Math Contest on April 18th, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA. The Middle and High school teams and coaches, Wanda Allaire and Jeanne Cavuto, will be accompanied by Mr. Roberts, and a few parent chaperones will be attending the event. 


Our Team is well-prepared. We are rooting for them and wishing them a safe and enjoyable trip! More details to come in next month's Newsletter.

Chester Upland Chapter: Joseph Davis attends Chester Stem Academy at Showalter where he is in the 11th grade. The biggest impact the Foundation has had on Joseph is the Credo and its meaning, and living it out in his life. Joseph's message to younger Scholars is, "Be an active participant in the Program. Learn the Credo, and take advantage of all the Program has to offer for the betterment of your future." Joseph would like to study coding at Georgia Tech and become a game developer. In his free time, Joseph enjoys drawing and cooking.

Coatesville Chapter: Aras Reid is a 12th grade Scholar at the Collegium Charter School in Exton, PA. She has been a member of YMWIC for over seven years, joining in the 5th grade. At Collegium, Aras is a member of the Cross Country Team. She is also involved in many other activities outside of school. Most dear to her heart is the African Dance Troupe that she's a part of called Omo Kulu Mele. She's been part of this dance troop since she was ten years old, and it has helped her develop a love of the arts. She is also an active participant in The Newlin Foundation, located in Coatesville, PA, where she helps mentor fellow students. Additionally, she is active in a local club called Sistars of View, where she engages with other young girls through community service while helping them find their voices. Read More.

Furness Chapter: Aleim Wright-Jackson This month, we are proud to highlight Aleim Wright-Jackson, a 10th grade Scholar at Furness High School. Aleim joined YMWIC in 10th grade and has already shown a thoughtful approach to both academics and personal growth. Aleim is interested in pursuing a future career as an engineer, a field that combines creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on design. While Aleim is still exploring college options, he is focused on finding a university that will be a strong fit for his goals and interests. Read More.

Martin Luther King Chapter: Taylor Carter We are excited to highlight Taylor Carter, an 11th grade Scholar at Martin Luther King High School. Taylor joined YMWIC in 11th grade and is already embracing new opportunities within the Program. Taylor shared that YMWIC has encouraged her to try new things, helping her step outside of her comfort zone. After high school, Taylor is interested in pursuing a career as a social worker, a field centered on supporting others and making a positive impact in the community. Taylor is also considering West Chester University as a future college option. Read More.

Norristown Blockson Chapter: Caleb Reynolds is an 8th grade Scholar at Blockson Middle School, who joined YMWIC this year. Caleb already stands out for his positive attitude, commitment to his education, and enthusiasm for new opportunities. At YMWIC, Caleb most enjoys the field trips where he can explore new places, meet people, and build relationships with other Scholars. These experiences have helped him open up, connect with new peers, and feel more confident in school settings. He shares that the Foundation has supported his success in school and will help him reach his future goal of attending college. Caleb's aspirations reach beyond the classroom; he hopes to become a musician and is already actively developing his talents. Read More.

Norristown Eisenhower Chapter: Richard Zachary Joseph is a 9th grade Scholar at Norristown Area High School who joined YMWIC this year and has already made a strong impression through his commitment to service, academics, and personal growth. One of Richard's favorite aspects of YMWIC is the opportunity to give back to the community. He has participated in Community Service events at Martha's Pantry and the Norristown Rehabilitation Center, where he helped distribute resources directly to community members. Richard shared that seeing happy faces and knowing he made an impact made the experience both meaningful and fun. Read More.

Upper Darby Chapter: William Zhao attends Upper Darby Middle School where he is in the 8th grade. The biggest impact the Foundation has had on William is in his confidence. He has been able to make new connections through YMWIC and gain confidence in presenting and being more outspoken. William's message to younger Scholars is, "Be an active participant in the Program. Make sure to attend Project Support, Workshops, Community Service Events, and SIGs." William would like to study Pre-Med Biomedical Engineering. Some universities he has in mind are Penn State, Drexel and Pittsburgh. William enjoys cooking, baking, playing games and spending time with his friends. We congratulate you on your commitment to education and service!

West Chester Chapter: Zoey Stanton is a fourth grade Scholar at Hillsdale Elementary who, despite her young age, brings remarkable passion and enthusiasm to everything she does. As a member of YMWIC for the past year, Zoey has already begun to distinguish herself as a Scholar who is eager to learn, grow, and make a positive impact. Her energy and curiosity set a strong foundation for her continued success. Throughout her time with the West Chester Chapter, Zoey has shown great dedication. Not only by consistently showing up, but by being a valuable and engaged participant. She approaches activities with focus and determination, always ready to contribute and support those around her. Her commitment reflects a maturity beyond her years and a genuine belief in the mission of the Program. Read More.

Upper Darby Upward Bound Chapter: Annie Forrestal Upper Darby's Scholar is Annie Forrestal, a senior at Upper Darby High School. Having joined YMWIC last year, Annie has quickly made her presence known through strong commitment, helpful and caring intentions, frankness, and sense of humor. In her final semester of high school, Annie is eagerly preparing for college and eventually working in a field that helps others, possibly as a neurologist. Annie’s interests include singing in her school choir, going on nature walks while connecting with God to find inner peace, and watching movies that provide meaningful life lessons. Annie is very outspoken regarding her deep appreciation toward YMWIC Foundation as well as many Scholars who have assisted in her personal development. Annie’s advice to students considering membership to YMWIC, "This is one of the best decisions you will ever make!” We have watched, with great pleasure, your commitment and accomplishments, Annie. Congratulations!

Aryan Kumar is a dedicated junior at Collegium Charter High School who has distinguished himself through academic excellence, leadership, and a strong passion for STEM classes. Among his many accomplishments, Aryan has earned the prestigious award, AP Scholar with Honor; he is committed to challenging himself both inside and outside of the classroom.


In the summer of 2023, he joined the Young Men and Women In Charge (YMWIC) Foundation's Upward Bound Program. One of his favorite experiences has been participating in the Saturday SIGs (Special Interest Groups), where he takes part in the high school MathCounts activities. Aryan often helps his fellow students by tutoring them in mathematics during our weekly Project Support sessions on Wednesday afternoons at Coatesville Area Senior High School. Read More.

SIGs

Scholars enjoyed spending time together in their Special Interest Groups, which meet on Saturdays and cover areas of interest outside of the regular YMWIC curriculum. This month, our Scholars enjoyed Robotics, Chess, Civics and Debate, Choir, and MathCounts. We thank the volunteers in our community who help support the Saturday SIG programming. We could not do it without you! If interested in sharing your time and talents, we encourage you to contact us!

Workshop 13

Scholars at the Franklin Edmonds School in Philadelphia enjoyed a hands-on workshop this month. During this workshop, Scholars learned the fundamentals of electric circuits and gained a basic understanding of resistors, resistance, voltage and current. Initial concepts and Ohm's Law were introduced. Scholars worked collaboratively in teams to understand the relationship of Mathematics to the Concepts of Electricity. It was an edutainment, an educational learning exercise that was fun and entertaining for the Scholars.

We are excited to highlight the Whittington Family, proud members of the Norristown Eisenhower Chapter since 2022. They joined YMWIC to give their Scholars greater exposure to STEM, leadership, and opportunities beyond the traditional classroom. Since joining, the family has seen strong growth--especially in leadership--as Noah has taken on a mentoring role with his younger brothers, both academically and in extracurricular activities. The Scholars enjoy hands-on STEM projects and workshops, while the family values the supportive environment, Project Support, and opportunities to encourage Scholars to push past challenges. The Whittingtons are also active volunteers, assisting with workshops, Credo Testing, photography, and special events. They encourage other families to try YMWIC and experience a Program that truly supports growth, leadership, and success!

YMWIC Scholarship & Awards Banquet 16th Anniversary

This year, YMWIC will host our 16th Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet. This exciting event will be held at the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel in King of Prussia, PA, on Thursday, May 21, 2026. During the Banquet, we showcase our Scholars for their achievements, reward our graduating senior Scholars with the college scholarships they have earned to attend the colleges of their choice, and recognize community leaders who make a difference in our community by inspiring action, empowering others, strategic and visionary thinking, and service to others. There will be a delicious dinner and an inspiring message from dynamic Keynote Speaker, Carniesha Kwashie, Senior Manager of Workforce Development Corporate and Community Impact at PECO. Carniesha is an award-winning professional known for her social, racial, and economic justice-driven initiatives. She earned her dual Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in African American Studies and Psychology at Temple University and a Master of Science (MS) in Interior Architecture and Design at Drexel University.

Join us as we celebrate our Scholars, Community Leaders, and 16 glorious years of hosting this amazing evening of fellowship and fun! To register to attend this amazing event or to make a donation, use this link.

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If you would like to sponsor this popular event, make a donation, or purchase an ad in our Souvenir Program Booklet, please click here.

YMWIC 2025-2026 Program Year Key Dates & Volunteer Opportunities -- Mark your Calendar!

• September, 2025 – May, 2026: Workshops at partnering school districts and tutoring*
• January 19 - June 12, 2026: Pre-Apprenticeship Program*
• March 29 – April 3, 2026: Annual College Tour
• April – May, 2026: Job Shadowing Period*
• April 11, 2026: Botball Robotics Team Competition in Great Mills, MD*
• May 21, 2026: 16th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet*
• June 15 – July 23, 2026: Summer Enrichment Programs (K–12)*
• July 30, 2026: 2nd Annual Chef and Wine Gala
• June – August 2026: Summer Jobs & Internships for 12th grade Scholars and Alumni*
• September 14, 2026: 12th Annual Scholarship and STEM Golf Classic* 

*These are wonderful volunteer opportunities for Partner Employee Involvement.

YMWIC is seeking to support our local chapters in elementary and secondary education in math, ELA, and Science. 

YMWIC is also looking for Volunteers to support Additional volunteer opportunities: Event committee participation with the Golf Classic, Scholarship Banquet, and College Expo.

If you are interested in applying for a volunteer opportunity, please select this link, and we will contact you immediately. All volunteers must have the required clearances: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal History Clearance which is required for all employees and some volunteers.

Want to keep up with our amazing YMWIC Scholars? We’ve got you covered! Follow us on Instagram and Meta (formerly Facebook) to stay in the loop on all the fun, learning, and exciting updates happening in our programs.

It’s super easy to join in! Just open your Instagram or Meta (Facebook) app, search for YMWICScholars, and hit that Follow button when you see our logo. Don’t be shy—drop a comment and say hi! 👋

We can’t wait to see you join our social media family and experience all the awesome things happening at YMWIC. Let’s have some fun together!

📲 Click HERE to follow us on Meta (Facebook)! 📸 Click HERE to catch us on Instagram!

Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC): YMWIC Foundation, Inc., is eligible to receive funds from the EITC Program which is administered by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development. We thank those businesses that donate their EITC funding to YMWIC Foundation and encourage others to consider directing funding to our impactful community nonprofit that provides college and career preparation for K-12 students; empowers their families; counseling, financial support and internships for YMWIC college alumni; and enriches our communities through Community Service activities, increasing the number of college graduates, and developing a talented and skilled workforce. Please contact Rick Roberts at (610) 340-2844 if you would like to consider our YMWIC Foundation, Inc., as a recipient of your company's EITC funds. The EITC Program allows approved business and corporate contributions to be turned into tax credits. Whatever amount you owe in Pennsylvania taxes, 70%-90% up to $750,000 annually can be distributed to eligible nonprofit organizations lowering your state taxes by the amount donated in communities you serve. Contact us if interested in sending EITC funds to YMWIC Foundation, an eligible and impactful community nonprofit.