Sarah was a shy, sometimes insecure kindergartener with a tough home life. Living with her grandparents as her mom tried to find a stable income and safe place for them live, Sarah struggled in her first year in school.

Thanks to donors like you, Sarah received financial assistance to participate in after school classes like hip hop, creative art and innovation club through YMCA Powerful Schools. These programs gave Sarah a safe space after school with caring, positive mentors. When she was having a particularly rough day, staff would talk with her and help her deal with her anxieties in a healthy way.

Sarah found a community of caring adults and a welcome distraction from her home life. She is now more confident, doing better in school and happier thanks to you.