Improving strategies around youth programming is a huge area of focus for community recreation centers. This was the case for the team at the YMCA of Greater Richmond when they partnered with Founders Mark to help provide the very best offerings for families in the Richmond, Virginia, area.
“We were able to enhance our program, educate children in a way we haven’t done before and open their eyes to new cognitive ways of thinking,” said Megan O’Neill, the EVP and COO of the YMCA of Greater Richmond, of the partnership. “The program creates knowledge and excitement around entrepreneurship and business development.”
Below, O’Neill details the collaboration with Founders Mark, how the company has assisted the YMCA and more.
How long have you been a customer of Founders Mark?
We have been with Founders Mark for five years.
Why did you decide to partner with Founders Mark? What problem were you looking to solve; or what solution were you looking to incorporate?
The YMCA decided to partner with this organization to enhance programming, curriculum and opportunities with fourth and fifth-graders.
What are the benefits to your members as a result of this partnership?
We are able to teach young people that they can do this work, that it’s fun and they have the opportunity to learn future-ready skills.
Have you been pleasantly surprised by working with Founders Mark in any way?
The program has been very easy to administer. The learning coaches that come in, arrive ready to serve the students. They are truly excited to learn and work together. The students shared great excitement about starting their own business.
What else can you tell other rec center professionals about the benefits of working with Founders Mark?
We were able to leverage local funders for the program. These are really important funders. One of their focuses is on entrepreneurism. We would not have been a fit with them otherwise. This gave us the opportunity to show the funders what we can do. Also, the program draws attention because we are finding that there’s not a lot of work being done in this area.
