YMWIC September 2024 Newsletter

YMWIC 2024-2025 Program Year Recruitment is in Motion!

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old but on building the new.”

~ Socrates

Zachary Merritt, YMWIC Class of 2016



How YMWIC Prepared Me for Life After Graduation

Being a member of YMWIC provided me with valuable insights into what to expect from a career in STEM and prepared me for the challenges of college. My senior project at Immaculata University stands out as a pivotal experience, allowing me to develop skills that I directly applied during my freshman year of science classes. YMWIC also taught me the importance of being independent and responsible, particularly with time management. Read more.

On September 9, 2024, YMWIC hosted its highly anticipated 11th Annual Scholarship & STEM Golf Classic at the beautiful Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester, PA. The event brought together an enthusiastic group of approximately 70 golfers, all eager to participate in an exciting day of friendly competition and unique golf experiences.

The outing was a scramble and best ball format, which allowed players of all skill levels to enjoy the day. With clear skies and perfect weather, golfers took to the greens, raising funds to support YMWIC’s Scholarship Program. The outing showcased the organization’s dedication to helping Scholars achieve academic success, while giving participants a chance to bond over their love of golf. Read more.

The start of a new Program Year at YMWIC means fresh opportunities, new challenges, and endless possibilities for our Scholars! We are thrilled to announce some incredible plans designed to inspire, educate, and elevate our Scholars as they embark on another exciting journey with us.

College Tours & Career Exploration

This year, we’re taking our college tours to the next level! Scholars will have opportunities to visit prestigious universities and connect with professionals in STEM fields. Through hands-on experiences and conversations with leaders in various industries, they’ll gain insight into the careers that await them.

Workshops

We believe in equipping our Scholars with the skills they need to excel. From coding to financial literacy workshops, we have a lineup of courses that will give them the tools to succeed. Read more.

If you have a student who is a rising 3rd - 11th grade student in the Chester Upland, Coatesville, Kennett Consolidated, Norristown, Phoenixville, Upper Darby, West Chester, or William Penn School Districts, or Horace Furness High School or Martin Luther King High School in Philadelphia, and you are interested in having them become a part of a dynamic and rewarding program, register them for the YMWIC Pre-College After-School and Out-of-School Time Program by selecting these links for the Online Scholar Application and the Scholar Personal Statement.

Our Program provides immersive and hands-on on-site opportunities for experiencing STEAM, business, and the Arts. We offer after-school and out-of-school-time workshops, Community Service events, a Science Expo, academic tutoring, SAT Prep Workshops, College Tours, assistance with the college Financial Aid and Application Process, and an opportunity to earn College Scholarships!

Click this link to register for our virtual Open House and Information Session scheduled Monday, September, 30, October 7, October 14, October 21, or October 28, starting at 6:00PM. 

We look forward to welcoming all new and returning Scholars to another exciting Program Year!

Chester Upland Chapter: We are eager to feature Tanejah Cooper, a 10th grade Scholar at STEM Academy. Tanejah joined YMWIC in 9th grade and has been thriving ever since, making the most of the opportunities offered by the Foundation.

One of the highlights of Tanejah’s experience with YMWIC has been the chance to build lasting friendships and travel to various schools, which has provided her with valuable insights into college life. Through the Foundation, she has grown more confident, particularly in public speaking, and has become more outgoing in both academic and social settings. Read more.

Coatesville Chapter: Aras Aeon Reid is an inspiring 11th grade Scholar at Collegium Charter High School in Exton, PA. She joined YMWIC in the 5th grade and has since become a dedicated member of the Foundation. Over the years, Aras has grown into a leader and role model, known for her enthusiasm in recruiting others to YMWIC and speaking passionately about its benefits.

Among the many experiences YMWIC offers, Aras particularly enjoys the high school college tours, summer programs, and community service engagements. However, what stands out most for her is helping others learn about the Foundation. "I love recruiting new members and sharing the benefits of being a YMWIC Scholar," she says. Read more.

Norristown Chapter: Hello! My name is Arely Sanchez Navarro, and I am a proud Scholar at the Norristown Chapter of YMWIC, where I’ve been a member since the 7th grade. I currently attend Blockson Middle School and will be entering the 8th grade this fall.

One of the things I love most about YMWIC is the wide range of opportunities it offers. From college tours to community service and challenging projects, the Program truly pushes us to grow. The biggest impact on me has been gaining confidence in public speaking, especially after completing my Science Project. Read more.

Phoenixville Chapter: This month, we are proud to feature Darien Sampson, an 8th grade Scholar at Phoenixville Area Middle School. Darien has been part of the YMWIC family since the 6th grade and continues to excel both academically and personally through his involvement with the Foundation.

One of Darien’s favorite aspects of YMWIC is the opportunity to engage in a variety of enriching activities while continuously learning. He highlights how the Foundation has positively impacted his time management skills, helping him balance schoolwork alongside completing science projects, a skill that will undoubtedly serve him well in the future. Read more.

Upper Darby Chapter: Meet Christina Kumi, an ambitious 10th grade Scholar from Upper Darby High School who joined YMWIC in the 9th grade. Since joining, Christina has thrived in the Program, enjoying the opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded peers who, like her, have big dreams and are determined to achieve them.

One of the most profound impacts YMWIC has had on Christina is broadening her horizons. "The Foundation has really opened my eyes to different career paths and ideas, while also providing a safe and supportive space where I can always seek guidance," she shares.  Read more.

West Chester Chapter: Maria Jose Leon Daza Daza is an enthusiastic and dedicated YMWIC Scholar currently in the 10th grade at Collegium Charter School. With a passion for history, Maria also enjoys staying active through sports, particularly volleyball and lacrosse. At Collegium, she is deeply involved in extracurricular activities, participating in the Debate Club, the Multicultural Club, and the Academic Team, where she excels as both a leader and a teammate.

Maria has ambitious career aspirations in either Computer Science or Law and is actively exploring college options. As a YMWIC Scholar, she is focused on her studies, working hard, and maintaining excellent grades to ensure she is well-prepared for her future goals. Read more.

William Penn Chapter: We are thrilled to introduce Mikel John Sigler, a dedicated Scholar from the William Penn Chapter of YMWIC. Mikel, currently a 10th grade student at Penn Wood High School, joined YMWIC in 9th grade and has already made a strong impression within our community.

Since joining the Program, Mikel has embraced the opportunities to give back through community service events, which he has thoroughly enjoyed. Reflecting on his time with YMWIC, Mikel shares, “The biggest impact YMWIC has had on me is helping me maintain high grades." This is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Read more.

Artificial Intelligence and Us – Reciprocal Learning

by Christina Kumi – Upper Darby Chapter

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has always been something I was aware of in our rapidly evolving society. But until recently, I never took the time to learn about what it truly is and how it is affecting our world today. After participating in a workshop where the topic of AI’s impact on making jobs easier to perform and generating ideas and solutions more quickly was discussed, I realized that AI is not just a futuristic concept; it’s a present-day game-changer in the workforce, particularly in the medical field. From enhancing diagnostic accuracy to streamlining administrative processes, AI technologies are transforming healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Read more.

The Impact of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life and Human Health

by Shanica Louis – Martin Luther King High School Chapter

Every year, over 8 million metric tons of plastics enter our oceans, causing the death of more than 1 million marine animals. This alarming figure highlights the issue of plastic pollution, which dates back to the early 20th century. Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of synthetic plastic products in the Earth’s environment. Once in the ocean, plastic decomposes very slowly, breaking down into tiny particles known as microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain, becoming hazardous to aquatic life. These pollutants enter the ocean in multiple ways, including improper waste disposal, landfills, and rainwater or floods, which carry them into bodies of water. Consequently, this causes widespread environmental damage and health concerns. Plastic pollution has negative effects on both marine life and human health. Read more.

At YMWIC, our success is driven not only by the dedication of our Scholars and staff but also by the unwavering support of our incredible parents. This month, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on Maria Velazquez, a true pillar of our community and the proud mother of Julian, Ernestina, and Christopher who are Scholars in our Norristown Chapter.

Maria’s contributions to YMWIC are numerous and deeply appreciated. Her creativity and hard work were on full display when she designed and created the beautiful banners for our Upward Bound Banquet which added a personal and vibrant touch to the event. Read more.

At YMWIC, we are fortunate to have volunteers who truly make a difference; and this month, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Sheila Hall-Prioleau, the proud grandmother of Norristown Chapter Scholar Zaire Darden-Prioleau.

Sheila has been a positive supporter of our programs, always ready to lend a hand. Last year, she monitored one of our Community Service Events, ensuring everything ran smoothly. She also brought in fried chicken and a cooler full of ice for our final academic Program Year celebration -- a gesture everyone appreciated. Read more.

The YMWIC Pre-Apprenticeship Program

If you are 18-25 years of age, select this link to join us in one of several Zoom Open House and Information Sessions on Tuesday, October 1; Tuesday, October 8; or Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 6:30PM, to learn more about the YMWIC Pre-Apprenticeship Program. We will be hosting an in-person ORIENTATION SESSION at YMWIC Headquarters in West Chester, PA, on Monday, October 21, 2024, for pre-registrants who sign up to attend an Open House and Information Session, and decide to join the Pre-Apprenticeship Program. 

The Pre-Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide our young adults with hands-on experience and mentorship in a rewarding career path. This innovative program aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application, equipping our participants with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their future careers. Read more.

SAVE THE DATE for the YMWIC 19th Annual College & Career Expo!

The YMWIC 19th Annual College & Career Expo will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9:00AM to 2:00PM at Henderson High School in West Chester, PA. College, Corporate, and Career representatives will provide Scholars and Parents with valuable career and college information on topics including: College Readiness and Admissions Qualifications, the College Application Process, FAFSA Form Process, Financial Literacy, STEM Careers, Personal Branding, Apprenticeships, and Interviewing Skills.

And so much more!

Families and Community Members:

You can register to attend the YMWIC 19th Annual College & Career Expo by selecting this link.

College and University Representatives and Corporate and Community Partners:

You are invited to interact one-on-one with YMWIC Scholars and their families at the YMWIC 19th Annual College & Career Expo. To register to take part at this exciting event as a Workshop Presenter or Expo Exhibitor, click here.

YMWIC 2024-2025 Program Year Key Dates & Volunteer Opportunities -- Mark your Calendar!

• September, 2024 – May, 2025: Workshops at partnering school districts and tutoring*
• November 9, 2024: 19th Annual College & Career Expo*
• December 14, 2024: Holiday Giving Event*
• February 15, 2025: 14th Annual Science Expo and Scholar Presentations*
• March 5 – 9, 2025: NSBE 51st National Conference in Chicago, Illinois
• April 14 – 18, 2025: College Tour to Ohio State University, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania State University, Saint Vincent College, and Robert Morris University
• April – May, 2025: Job Shadowing Period*
• April, 2025: Robotics Team Competition in Washington, DC*
• May 22, 2025: 15th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet*
• June 16 – July 24, 2025: Summer Programs (K–12)*
• June 1 – August 5, 2025: Summer Jobs & Internships for 12th grade Scholars and Alumni*
• September 8, 2025: 12th Annual Scholarship and STEM Golf Classic*

*These are volunteer opportunities for Partner Employee Involvement.

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

YMWIC is also looking for volunteers to support our science projects during the September – February timeframe.

Additional volunteer opportunities include:

Event committee participation with the Golf Classic, Scholarship Banquet, Science Expo 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 up 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 the recipient of your company's EITC funds.