Financial Award Will Help YMCA Continue Literacy Programs

DANBURY — MasterCard International has awarded $10,000 to the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut through its Youth Education & Technology Fund. The award will be used to fund KidzLit Power Hour, an after school literacy program at Escape to the Arts.

Escape to the Arts provides after-school enrichment programs for middle school and high school students. Students receive one hour of literacy enrichment through Power Hour. The curriculum is designed to help students become avid readers by integrating high quality literature through discussion, art, music, drama, vocabulary games, and creative writing.

Books used in the program represent a variety of genre and interests, and are culturally sensitive. Youth are exposed to literature that not only aids in their literacy development, but also gets them thinking about the struggles of growing up, managing relationships, and learning tolerance. Power Hour is about academic enrichment.

MasterCard’s Youth Education & Technology Fund was established in 2001 to support local nonprofits and helps underserved youth achieve academic success, prepare for future careers, and harness the benefits of technology. Over the last five years, MasterCard has donated nearly $1 million to support youth in the Westchester and Fairfield County communities, largely through this competitive corporate grant-making program.