Programs That Empower Children to Reach Their Full Potential
The Believe & Achieve Foundation team will develop, identify and support programs that work to fulfill basic needs. These programs empower children to develop and reach their fullest potential. All qualifying programs must incorporate the Believe & Achieve Program Pillars. Each pillar focuses on common developmental needs and tools critical in a child’s path to success. Each is backed by significant research and is a vital part in mentoring our participants to believe in themselves and to achieve their goals.
Program Pillars
- Provide a safe environment to grow and thrive
- Promote a growth mindset
- Promote a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and physical activity.
- Promote positive self-esteem
Current Programs
Believe and Achieve After -School Scholarships
The Believe & Achieve Program at the YMCA offers scholarships for after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 15 living in poverty or low-income situations. The scholarship program provides a safe environment and quality enrichment after school and during the summer months at no cost the child’s family. YMCA programming aligns with the Believe & Achieve mission and program pillars, providing a framework for children to learn about building self-confidence, achieving academic success and living a healthy lifestyle.
The foundation sponsors and provides volunteer opportunities for special events mentoring and experiential learning. These include Summer Camp Kick Off, Lights on After School, Community Thanksgiving Dinner, and a Holiday Shop where they can get gifts for family members at no cost.
We are currently looking to expand our Believe & Achieve after-school and summer programs throughout the greater Philadelphia area and beyond.
Summer Enrichment
The Believe and Achieve Summer Enrichment Program partners with area elementary schools and summer programs to provide children opportunities and experiences to enrich their academic, social, and interpersonal skills. Children’s basic needs are met as they aim to develop positive self-esteem and a healthy life style.
Nutritional Support Programs
Weekend Backpack
Nearly 14,000 school-aged children in Chester County qualify for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast Program. For many of these children, school meals may be the only meals they eat. Every weekend, there are children who go home hungry.
Realizing the vital role that food and nutrition play in a child’s physical and mental development, the Believe & Achieve Weekend Backpack program provides children with nutritious, non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods such as peanut butter, tuna, chicken, fruit cups, juice, healthy cereal, pasta and shelf stable milk. Backpacks are delivered every Friday during the school year.
Fresh Produce Distribution
Expanding our focus on a healthy lifestyle and nutrition, fresh produce boxes are provided weekly to children and families in our Summer Enrichment Programs.
Believe & Achieve Snack Packs
Periodically throughout the year, The Believe & Achieve Foundation hosts community food drives to collect, sort and donate healthy snack items. Snack Packs are then donated to free and subsidized after-school programs. Organizations are provided with collection guidelines and event coordination to ensure a positive, meaningful experience for participants. Please click here to contact us and learn more about this opportunity.
Believe & Achieve Souper Bowl of Caring
This is great service opportunity in the month of January through Super Bowl Sunday. Individuals, schools and organizations work together to collect, count and sort cans of soup and crackers which benefit our Weekend Backpack Program. Please click here to contact us and learn more about this opportunity.
Support for Special Needs Programs
We support programs for adult and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing outlets for social support, physical fitness, nutritional guidance, as well as service and experiential growth opportunities.
Want to get involved?
Our programs depend on the generosity of local people, just like you, to positively impact the lives of the youth in our community. If you would like to volunteer, donate funds or become a corporate sponsor, please click the button below or contact us for more information.
