Vero Beach, FL (06/24/2024) … Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy was awarded a $5,000 grant from the TD Charitable Foundation for its academic enrichment program.
Grant funds provided tutoring and homework help every day after school to 70 children ages 6-12 enrolled in Youth Guidance. Out of these children, eight out of 10 improved their reading or math grades, or maintained As and Bs in these subject areas. To measure the children’s success, Youth Guidance monitors quarterly grades through its close partnership with the Indian River County School District.
Thanks to supporters like the TD Charitable Foundation, the Youth Guidance academic enrichment program is provided free of charge to any child in Indian River County who qualifies for the free- and reduced-price lunch program in school.
To help further improve children’s academic progress in the coming year, Youth Guidance has hired a certified special education teacher to provide evidence-based math and reading interventions for children who are struggling and performing multiple grade levels behind their peers. Interventions will occur during the school year and over the summer months to prevent summer learning loss.
“This past year, we witnessed an increase in the number of children enrolling in Youth Guidance who were struggling in school and at risk of failing their classes,” said Youth Guidance Executive Director Phil Barnes. “Having a certified special education teacher working in tandem with our staff and volunteers will ensure that we are doing everything we can to help these students catch up with their peers, advance to the next grade level, and graduate high school on time.”
Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy is dedicated to enriching the lives of Indian River County youth through mentoring relationships that inspire trust, self-esteem, and positive futures. Founded in 1973, Youth Guidance provides daily meals, year-round mentoring programs, and parent support for children and young adults (ages 6-24) with limited resources. Programs focus on academic enrichment, life skills, and college & career development. They include tutoring with a certified teacher, culinary arts, sewing, gardening, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), recreation, and certification-based programs within the skilled trades. If you are interested in learning more about Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy or making a donation, please call (772) 492-3933, or visit www.youthguidanceprogram.org.
