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
- Promote Academic Success
- Promote a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and physical activity.
- Provide a safe haven to grow and thrive
- Promote positive self-esteem
Current Programs
Believe & Achieve at the YMCA
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 & Achieve Summer Enrichment Program at Chester County Family Academy supports economically disadvantaged students with opportunities and experiences to enrich their academic, social, and interpersonal skills. Students’ basic needs are met as they aim to develop positive self-esteem, academic success, and a healthy lifestyle.
This program serves 100 children over a 4-week period at no cost to families. It provides a safe place and meals during the day, as well as experiential learning opportunities and field trips to encourage children to believe in themselves and reach their full potential.
The Believe & Achieve 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.
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
The Believe & Achieve Foundation is proud to sponsor programs that support children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. These programs align with our mission, giving individuals with special needs opportunities for physical and social development and community engagement in a supportive environment.
The Believe & Achieve Valor Bowl
The Valor Bowl is the Chester County Senior All-Star Football Game benefiting the Chester County Special Olympics. The Valor Bowl promotes sportsmanship and athletic competition for both high school athletes and special Olympians. High school football players, cheerleaders and coaches have the opportunity to mentor and share this all-star experience with special needs athletes. It is a week-long celebration, which includes our newest event – The Valor Bowl Pep Rally.
Pop Warner Challenger Division at Marsh Creek
We are proud to sponsor the Challenger Division at Marsh Creek. We support the Challenger mission of bringing the wonderful experience of flag football to athletes with special needs in a fun, safe and positive environment. The program is free to children ages 8 and above.
We are currently looking to expand our sponsorship opportunities to other community sports leagues with programming for children and adults with special needs. Please click here to contact us for more information.
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.
