YMWIC June 2024 Newsletter | | |
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YMWIC has Proudly Completed Another Successful Program Year | |
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
~ John F. Kennedy
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Greetings, YMWIC Supporters:
The highlight of each Program Year is our Scholarship & Awards Banquet which took place on May 26th. Although we recognized certain Scholars for specific accomplishments, we celebrated the uniqueness and abilities every Scholar possesses and will continue to challenge and nurture each one. Congratulations to our graduating seniors; let the YMWIC Credo continue to be your road map.
At the Banquet we presented Industry Executive and Community Champion Awards to ifm efector, inc. (award accepted by Ms. Shannon Michalkiewicz), Dr. Christina L. Carr (Taylor), Dr. Brandon J. Mitchell and Mrs. Frances M. Sheehan. We recognize and thank them for their many contributions. Thank you to Delaware County Representative Gina Curry for presenting these award recipients and several YMWIC Scholars with Pennsylvania State Citations.
I would like to acknowledge the joyous celebration of Juneteenth National Independence Day which celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and reflects the history and heritage of many of our YMWIC families.
Looking toward the 2024-2025 Program Year and the future of YMWIC, we realize that everything we do is possible because of the generosity of our Corporate, University, Community, and School District Partners. We would be remiss if we did not include the Parents and Guardians of our Scholars as well as our many Volunteers. If you are not yet a YMWIC supporter, we invite you to accompany us on our journey. Feel free to reach out to me directly.
Richard Roberts, III
(610) 340-2844
rrobertsiii@ymwicfoundation.org
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YMWIC MISSION:
To empower and prepare economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented youth to excel and become leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers through a structured and rigorous curriculum, academic tutoring, mentoring and financial assistance programs, accomplished by leveraging alliances with K-12 school districts, universities, corporations, and our committed partners.
YMWIC CORE VALUES:
We Believe we can significantly impact the future of our youth through education and extraordinary leadership.
We Value Commitment, Honor and Accountability and through these principles we are dedicated to the tradition of excellence in serving our youth, our partners and our community.
We Promote Engagement and Collaboration by treating all people with respect and sincerity to create an environment of openness where shared success can be achieved.
We Demonstrate Quality by working efficiently and effectively to continuously improve our programs for the benefit of our Scholars.
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YMWIC Scholars Shine at the 2024 Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet | |
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The Young Men and Women in Charge (YMWIC) Foundation, Inc. proudly hosted its 14th Annual Scholarship Banquet, a night to remember filled with inspiration, celebration, and gratitude. The event was held to honor the hard work and achievements of our Scholars, and it surpassed all expectations with an incredible turnout.
Our distinguished Mistress of Ceremony for the evening, Barbara Gee-Pratt, set the tone with her charismatic presence and engaging commentary. The Keynote Speech was delivered by YMWIC Alum Damon Barr, whose inspiring words left a lasting impact on everyone in attendance.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of numerous awards. Scholars of the Year were honored with special awards, acknowledging their exceptional dedication and accomplishments throughout the year. This year’s recipients are: Pluto Scholar, William Zhao; Neptune Scholar, Vien Zhao; Jupiter Scholar, Gianna Kurian; and Saturn Scholar, Samuel Wilson, III. Read more.
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YMWIC Professional Development
SIG Participants Are Honored
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The YMWIC Foundation in collaboration with PECO and the GROW Academy, recently held a memorable ceremony marking a significant milestone for our Scholars who participated in the YMWIC Professional Development SIG (Special Interest Group). The event was a tremendous success showcasing the dedication and hard work of the Scholars and drawing an impressive turnout of family, friends, and supporters.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a $3,000 scholarship to Walter Calle, recognizing his outstanding achievements and supporting his future endeavors. The joy and pride in the room were palpable as we celebrated Walter's success and the bright futures of all our graduates. Read more.
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YMWIC Robotics Team Impress at the 2024 Botball Competition | |
The YMWIC Robotics Team traveled to the Greater DC Regional Botball Tournament in Great Mills, MD, on April 27th. During the previous few months, members of the team worked diligently at Headquarters during the weekly Robotics SIG (Special Interest Group) meetings to design, build, program, and test the robots. The Team brought two autonomous robots to the competition, a smaller robot built on a metal chassis called a Demobot and a larger robot built on a Roomba base called a Createbot. These robots were designed to work together without any human intervention to move pieces on the Botball game board. Scholars have been working with a full-sized 2024 game board table located in the YMWIC Robotics Lab at Headquarters. Read more.
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We Congratulate our Honor Roll Scholars | |
YMWIC congratulates our Scholars who have worked hard and achieved Distinguished Honor Roll and Honor Roll status:
Chester Upland Chapter: Honor Roll: Tanejah Cooper, and Alonzo Taylor
Coatesville Chapter: Distinguished Honor Roll: Carlos Calle, Ryan Kinyanjui, Bi Gui Liu, and Heidi Potts Honor Roll: Sean Calle; Jennifer Cuevas Sanchez; Mohamed Elkhouly; Aryan Kumar; Michael Leslie, III; Andres Malo; Joel Malo; and Xavier McClanahan
Norristown Chapter: Distinguished Honor Roll: Dayanis Morales
Honor Roll: Angelena Camack, Zaire Darden Prioleau, Alvena Edwards, Arely Sanchez Navarro, and Kimora White
Phoenixville Chapter: Distinguished Honors: Savannah Thomas
Honor Roll: Lorelei Cramer, August Kollar, and Addilyn Smith
Upper Darby Chapter: Distinguished Honor Roll: Fatima Afrani, Zibo Senome Bridgers, Charlieze Ganges, Maxam Ganges, Gianna Kurian, Eva Zhao, Vien Zhao, and William Zhao
Honor Roll: Timothy Biju, Mohammed Kamara, and Murad Morris
West Chester Chapter: Distinguished Honor Roll: Cristofer Garcia-Galan
Honor Roll: Tisya Dinesh, Sydney Holland, Symone Howard, Maria Leon Daza, Spencer Palmer, Maximilian Schmied, and Madison Taylor
William Penn Chapter: Honor Roll: Karter Freeman, Derrick Hitchcock, Michael LeSure, Terrence Patterson, and Inza Soumaro
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Chester Upland Chapter: Amarilis Stephens is completing the 9th Grade at STEM at Showalter and her first Program Year as a YMWIC Scholar. With a focus on her academics, Amarilis wanted to be involved in the Foundation because she saw it as a good extracurricular activity that would be supportive in achieving her academic goals. To achieve them, she was committed to taking advantage of all that YMWIC has to offer and to meet and surpass requirements.
In the future, Amarilis would like to study Biology and become a Trauma Surgeon in the U.S. Military. In her free time, she enjoys studying Anatomy.
We are pleased and proud that YMWIC is part of your journey, Amarilis.
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Coatesville Chapter: Tyler Kinyanjui, is in the 9th grade at Collegium Charter School. Originally joining YMWIC when he was in the 5th grade for one year, he returned this Program year, realizing the value of what the Foundation has to offer him, as he is now thinking more seriously about college and his path in life. He says that the reasons he wanted to return to YMWIC after so many years include the exciting experiences and various opportunities the Foundation offers. He committed to attend as many Foundation events and workshops as possible.
Tyler would like to study to become an Architect and enjoys playing soccer, drawing, and having fun with friends in his spare time.
We are happy you decided to return, Tyler, so that we can support you in your future goals.
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Norristown Chapter: Zaire Darden-Prioleau is a 6th grade student at Blockson Middle School where he has been an Honor Roll student and earned the honor of receiving a "Golden Ticket" Award. He joined YMWIC this Program Year and wanted to be involved because, "I am hoping to learn how to build robots, so that I will be able to make my own one day. I think that being a member will help me enhance my people skills. One of the benefits I can earn from participating in the Program and meeting or exceeding requirements is a college scholarship. I want to be a Chemist; and if I commit to YMWIC, I will get closer to that goal."
Zaire would like to major in a STEM subject, most likely chemistry or robotics engineering. He is considering Drexel University, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He enjoys watching science-related documentaries and chemistry videos.
You're off to a great start, Zaire. Stay committed, and keep up the good work.
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Phoenixville Chapter: Andrew Kollar is in the 4th grade at Manavon Elementary School. This is his first year as a YMWIC Scholar, but he has been tagging along to workshops and events with his big brother August for the past three years. Since joining, he has most enjoyed working on and completing his Science Expo project, and liked that he was able to work on it independently.
Andrew would like to become a Robotics Engineer and looks forward to exploring college opportunities. His advice to his fellow YMWIC Scholars is, "Keep up with your work! Complete your work as soon as possible, and never miss the due date." He adds, "It’s a great way to meet like-minded students and get extra experience learning about different areas of science."
We are happy to have you as a YMWIC member, Andrew, and look forward to being a part of your journey.
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Upper Darby Chapter: Gianna Kurian, a first-year YMWIC Scholar, just completed 10th grade at Upper Darby High School. Her explanation for joining the Foundation is, "I want to be involved in YMWIC because I believe it will expose me to places, lessons, and new experiences that will help me further my education as well as impact my personal development. YMWIC appears to be an amazing group to be involved with, because it will better prepare me for college and my future career. It will also expose me to how future experiences may be and teach me how to handle them best."
Gianna now says, "I have benefited from the programs offered by YMWIC. As a future first-generation college student, I will learn valuable lessons about, and be exposed to, professional environments and different aspects of college and the workplace." Read more.
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West Chester Chapter: Madison Taylor, who is completing the 5th grade at Upper Merion Middle School, joined YMWIC this Program Year. She has received awards for her accomplishments at school including one for Most Improved Student. As a new YMWIC Scholar, she was excited to discover and take part in the many activities the Foundation offers. She knew she would benefit from being a member, because it would support her academics. Her plans included participating in the hands-on projects and learning more about math and science.
Madison enjoys studying art and animals, helping people, and playing team sports. She is a dancer and has participated in dance recitals since the age of 5. In the future, she would like to be an Artist and a Veterinarian. She would also like to be a social worker, because she likes helping kids. In her free time, she enjoys arts and crafts, reading books, and working on her iPad.
Keep up the hard work and stay committed, Madison; and you will be successful.
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William Penn Chapter: Editus Addy II, who is completing the 9th grade at Delaware County Christian School, joined YMWIC when he was in the 5th grade. He has enjoyed his time as a member participating in the workshops, completing his projects (he received 1st Place for his YMWIC Science Project in 2023), making new friends, and attending events.
One of the reasons Editus joined the Foundation was to learn more about STEM careers and Engineering, and he has decided he would like to become an Engineer in the future. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball and scrolling on his Instagram account.
You are well on your way to a successful career, Editus. Stay focused, and continue to work hard.
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 |  | YMWIC workshops are unique opportunities that allow us and our corporate, university, and community Partners to deliver timely, important, and interesting college, career, job-related, STEM, and life skills information to Scholars in participatory and hands-on formats. Our Scholars eagerly anticipate the bi-monthly workshops as enthusiastically explained by Jayden Tolbert, a member of our Norristown Chapter. He writes, "The science workshops are incredibly fun and engaging, and I feel as if they spark curiosity in everybody who participates. We get to conduct exciting experiments that make some complex concepts easy to understand. Workshops happen twice a month, and they are always filled with hands-on activities that encourage teamwork as well as creativity. The instructors are passionate and enthusiastic making learning enjoyable and interactive. My favorite workshop out of them all was the one in which we combined multiple substances, such as salt and baking soda, with another, such as vinegar, to see and record the reaction that happened. We then used a mystery substance and had to figure out what the substance was! Overall, the workshops turn science into an adventure, making every moment thrilling and educational."
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Bonus Workshop #2
Across all YMWIC Chapters, Scholars were eagerly anticipating the second Bonus Workshop featuring Dr. Jarvis Sulcer, PhD, the esteemed Co-founder and COO (Chief Operations Officer) of LINGO. LINGO’s Mission is to eliminate barriers to entry for students underexposed to STEM opportunities, inspiring the future leaders of tomorrow. LINGO, created by a former NASA rocket scientist, supports learners on their STEM journey. As the keynote speaker, Dr. Sulcer's session became a focal point for Scholars seeking insights into the intersection of academic excellence and professional achievement. Their enthusiasm was palpable as they engaged with Dr. Sulcer's narrative of perseverance and growth, mirroring their own aspirations.
During the session, Dr. Sulcer generously shared the trajectory of his career journey, highlighting the pivotal role of his academic pursuits in shaping his success. Read more.
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Coatesville Chapter: On Saturday, May 4th, Coatesville Chapter Scholars performed Community Service at LaMancha Animal Rescue Farm in Coatesville. The day began with a simple yet profound task: feeding the goats. With bags of carrots in hand, Scholars eagerly approached and had a great time feeding the goats, with their mischievous eyes and playful antics, nibbling away at the offered snacks. For some of the Scholars, it was a first-hand lesson in compassion and responsibility as they tended to the needs of the gentle animals. Read more. | |
Norristown Chapter: The Norristown YMWIC Scholars joined forces with God Feeds for their final Community Service initiative of the 2023-2024 Program Year. God Feeds is a compassionate ministry based in Norristown, PA, dedicated to serving the local homeless community by providing meals and essential items on a monthly basis. Collaborating with other local ministries in the tri-state area, God Feeds offers hot and cold meals, groceries, toiletries, gift cards, and clothing. Read more. |
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West Chester Chapter: Demonstrating unity and generosity, Scholars and parents joined forces for a Community Service event aimed at supporting the West Chester Food Cupboard. The premise was simple yet impactful: families were encouraged to bring in breakfast items to donate to those in need. Scholars were required to attend Workshop #16 and bring breakfast food items to be donated. Scholars were assisted by their Parents, working together seamlessly. Read more. |
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The Vital Role of Pharmacists in Healthcare
by Timothy Biju -- Upper Darby Chapter
As highly trained professionals, Pharmacists are not only medication experts and patient educators. They also serve as strong advocates for your healthcare, ensuring the safe and effective use of medications.
The journey to becoming a Pharmacist is a testament to their dedication and perseverance. It involves extensive education and training, including a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy degree program and approximately 1500 hours of internship. This is followed by the state test NAPLX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) to obtain a license. Many Pharmacists further specialize in areas such as nuclear pharmacy, nutritional support, geriatric pharmacy, or psychiatric pharmacy, showcasing their depth of knowledge and expertise. Read more.
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Why is Cancer Hard to Cure?
by Christina Kumi – Upper Darby Chapter
Cancer. A vexing disease whose cure is seen as a conundrum to even the most intelligent scientists and researchers. Cancer is a general term for “A disease caused when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues” (cancer.gov, 2021). Many of us may know of cancer and its effects but don’t fully understand why it is so hard to cure.
One of the main reasons why cancer is hard to cure is its heterogeneity, which means that cancer can develop in various forms and affect different parts of the body. Each type of cancer may require a unique treatment approach, making it difficult to develop a universal cure. Read more.
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Since becoming a member of YMWIC, Linda Taylor has seen remarkable changes in her daughter Faith. Once shy, Faith has blossomed into a more outgoing and confident young individual. Her favorite experiences include traveling to new places, such as the national MathCounts Competition in Atlanta, Georgia, in March 2024. This trip was not only educational but also an exciting adventure that Faith thoroughly enjoyed.
Linda’s involvement with YMWIC goes beyond supporting her daughter's activities. She actively participates in various volunteer efforts, enriching the community through her dedication and hard work. Read more.
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YMWIC Elementary and MIddle School STEAM & Language Arts Camps
The YMWIC 2024 Summer Camps have begun! We are into the first week of these exciting, educational, and fun-filled six week experiences for rising 1st through 8th grade students as of September, 2024. They will have great experiences exploring new concepts in math, chemistry, biology, computer science, robotics, language arts, reading, art, and much more!! Camps are taking place from June 17th – July 25, 2024 at locations within YMWIC Partner School Districts. There will be weekly field trips; previous trips have included The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Zoo, Camden’s Adventure Aquarium, and The Academy of Natural Sciences — all included with registration!
The YMWIC STEAM & Language Arts Camp locations are in Coatesville, Norristown, Upper Darby, and West Chester, PA. There are still spots available for your Elementary and Middle School Campers in our Coatesville, Norristown, and West Chester locations. The Upper Darby location is full, there is a waiting list in the event that spots open up. Register your Camper for an open spot by clicking on your desired location below.
Coatesville YMWIC 2024 STEAM & Language Arts Camp
Norristown YMWIC 2024 STEAM & Language Arts Camp
West Chester YMWIC 2024 STEAM & Language Arts Camp
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YMWIC Saint Vincent College Middle & High School Science Retreat
Each spring, YMWIC Middle and High School Scholars travel to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA for a three-day overnight on-campus Science Retreat. Stay tuned for our next Newsletter issue for details and photos from this highly-anticipated and fun learning event!
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YMWIC Upward Bound Summer Programs
Young Men and Women In Charge Foundation, Inc., is hosting our 2024 Annual YMWIC Upward Bound Summer Programs for the Upper Darby and Coatesville School Districts. We are currently in the first week of this exceptional Program, which meets on the West Chester University of Pennsylvania campus, and is a great opportunity for Upper Darby and Coatesville School District students who will be first-generation college students in their families. The six-week experience will enrich, expose, and prepare Scholars for college and provide insight into future careers and employment opportunities. They will experience projects in the arts, entrepreneurship, mentoring, leadership, and the important networking skill of golf. Participants will also enjoy College and Career Readiness activities which include weekly college tours, math, English and Language Arts enrichment, and weekly athletic activities. The Program takes place Monday through Thursday from June 17 – July 25, 2024.
Scholars will participate in college campus tours of six Philadelphia-area colleges and visit Fortune 100 corporations. The Program will end with our very popular and well-attended complimentary buffet dinner recognizing the end of the Upward Bound Summer Program with Scholars and parents at the Penn Oaks Golf Club. Every Upward Bound member who is an Upper Darby School District student will receive a CASH STIPEND. Click here to register for this enriching and life-enhancing opportunity.
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NEW THIS SUMMER!
The YMWIC High School Leadership Program at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School in Philadelphia
This year we will debut a new Summer Program, the High School Leadership Program at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School in Philadelphia. Starting on July 1st, Scholars in the 9th through 12th grades will participate in an exciting curriculum created to engage them and provide learning and experiential activities. Our goal is to better prepare them for life outside of the classroom and help to develop leadership qualities they can apply everywhere in their lives.
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YMWIC 11th Annual Scholarship & STEM Golf Classic
Join us on Monday, September 9, 2024, at the fabulous Penn Oaks Golf Club in a Scramble Golf Tournament and Fundraiser to support our Scholarship Program for the Young Men and Women In Charge (YMWIC) Foundation, Inc. You will meet our Scholars, network, and have fun as you help us raise scholarship funds.
Golfers will receive gifts and enjoy an open buffet lunch and an open buffet dinner. There will be prizes for our guests and winners. For non-golfers, please join us for the evening banquet and networking dinner event, which will include a delicious buffet dinner and much more. Click here to register for this eagerly-anticipated event.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Here are key dates for upcoming events planned for the YMWIC 2023-2024 Program Year:
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June 17 - July 26: Elementary School STEAM & Language Arts Camp, Middle School Science Retreat, and High School Upward Bound Summer Programs
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May - August: Summer Internships for YMWIC High School Scholars and Alumni
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September 9: YMWIC 11th Annual Scholarship & STEM Golf Classic at Penn Oaks Golf Club
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YMWIC is a non-profit 501(c3) Pennsylvania Corporation. Our Mission is to empower and prepare economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented youth to excel and become leaders in STEM careers. We are looking for talented, motivated, and qualified individuals with initiative who are committed to our Mission to competently fill the following roles in the Foundation:
Project Coordinator -- Full-time
STEM Educators -- Part-time
Tutors -- Part-time
Click Here for more information about these positions. If you are interested in applying for a position listed above, please let us know your preference and submit your resume to employment@ymwicfoundation.org. All candidates 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.
Volunteers Needed
If you or your organization would like to be a valued volunteer for YMWIC, please use this link. We welcome and appreciate your talents, time, and willingness to work with us!
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Follow YMWIC on Facebook and Instagram | |
Keep up with our Scholars and Program! You can stay on top of what YMWIC Scholars are doing by following us on both of our social media platforms, Instagram and Meta (formerly Facebook). This is a great way to receive constant updates on what’s happening at YMWIC. All you must do is go on your Instagram and/or Meta (Facebook) app and type YMWICscholars. Once you see our logo pop up, click Follow. Drop a Comment to say hello! Welcome to our social media family! Looking forward to seeing you join in on the fun.
To connect with us online on Meta/Facebook, select this Link! To stay up to date with what’s happening at YMWIC via Instagram, you can select this Link.
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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. |
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Thank You for Your Generous Support | | | | |
