Celebrating 14 Years of Service

It Takes a Village of Supporters to Deliver a Year of YMWIC Programming

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character -- that is the goal of true education.”

~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Greetings, YMWIC Supporters:

We have wrapped up another very successful Summer Enrichment Program and are pleased to have provided structured learning activities for students to stay connected to academics during summer vacation in engaging, hands-on and exciting ways. 

We are especially thankful for our university partners! Saint Vincent College hosted YMWIC high school and middle school Scholars for yet another exceptional residential Science Retreat. We also hosted our six-week summer Upward Bound Program on the campus of West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCUPA) for the Coatesville and Upper Darby School District Scholars. Both of these partner institutions provided invaluable learning content and resources for our Scholars.

Excitedly, we have planned and are now ready to launch the YMWIC 2023-2024 Program Year! We have built on the successes of our previous 13 years and incorporated lessons learned into this year’s programming as we expand our reach to provide opportunities to new Scholars. We are consistently improving and progressing as we grow. We call on you, our university and corporate partners and community advocates, to gear up and join us for all the transformative opportunities and learning activities planned this Program Year. Our continued success is not possible without your input and ideas as well as your financial and volunteer support.

For those who have not yet committed to being a YMWIC Partner, we encourage you to consider investing your time, talent or making a financial donation to YMWIC. Your support of our programming allows YMWIC to positively impact and strengthen our families and communities. Please contact me if you would like to discuss becoming a valued member of our team.

With immense gratitude,



Richard Roberts, III

(610) 340-2844

rrobertsiii@ymwicfoundation.org

YMWIC MISSION:

To empower and prepare economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented youth to excel and become leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers through a structured and rigorous curriculum, academic tutoring, mentoring and financial assistance programs, accomplished by leveraging alliances with K-12 school districts, universities, corporations, and our committed partners.



YMWIC CORE VALUES:

We Believe we can significantly impact the future of our youth through education and extraordinary leadership.

We Value Commitment, Honor and Accountability and through these principles we are dedicated to the tradition of excellence in serving our youth, our partners and our community.

We Promote Engagement and Collaboration by treating all people with respect and sincerity to create an environment of openness where shared success can be achieved. 

We Demonstrate Quality by working efficiently and effectively to continuously improve our programs for the benefit of our Scholars.



We thank the West Chester University of Pennsylvania Center for STEM Inclusion for supporting the YMWIC TRIO UPWARD BOUND six-week Summer Program for Scholars in the Coatesville and Upper Darby School communities. Our Scholars were enriched and had memorable experiences this summer while meeting in the modern, state-of-the-art facilities at WCUPA.

Thank you to Ansys for supporting the 2023 YMWIC 13th Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet. We appreciate your continued support of our annual event.

The 2023 YMWIC Summer STEM Programs were a huge success thanks, in part, to a generous contribution from CCRES (Chester County Regional Education Services). On behalf of the Scholars and their families, we thank you.

We would like to thank The Alliance for Health Equity, in partnership with the Women's League for Minority Education in Coatesville, PA, for supporting the mental health component which enhances wrap-around services available for YMWIC Scholars.

The YMWIC 10th Annual Scholarship & STEM Golf Classic scheduled Monday, August 21, 2023, was a successful event enjoyed by many! Thank you to the companies that sponsored this fun and much-anticipated event. They are:

• Title Sponsor - Imagine360
• Lunch and Snack Sponsors - Carr & Duff, Hankin Group, LaFata Contract Services, Teva, West
• Longest Drive Sponsor - Marsh McLennan
• Beverage Cart Sponsor - Ancillaire
• Closest to the Pin Sponsor - Constellation
• 1st Tee Hole Sponsor - The Madison Family
• 10th Tee Hole Sponsor - TCGi (Technology Concepts Group International)
• Hole Sponsors - LaFrance Corp, Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, Law Office of Richard E. Meanix, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Congratulations to the 2023 STEM & Golf Classic winners:

• First Place Foursome: Rick Yeager, Bill Tobin, Ed Hill and Derek Heince
• Second Place Foursome: Mark Radio, Joe Greim, Neil Jaross and Dom Palantino
• Third Place Foursome: John Donohue, Jack Beck, Rob Houck and John Harper
• Closest to the Pin: Derrick Billups
• Longest Drive Women: Jeanean Gardner
• Longest Drive Men: Gavon Bright

We are looking forward to next year! Mark your calendars for September 9, 2024 at Penn Oaks Golf Club!

My name is Bill Allaire, and I am a YMWIC STEM Educator who works with Scholars and Robotics. I am a Principal Engineer – Sr. Program Manager at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Xilinx, and have 40 years of work experience in software, hardware and semiconductors in a range of roles in software, board and system level development, and intellectual property. 

I knew I wanted to be an Engineer when I was fortunate enough to have access to a computer and a computer programming class as a seventh-grade student in 1973, five years before the Apple II personal computer even came out! Curiosity led me to explore the sciences and math to learn how different things worked. In high school I took as many advanced courses and extra classes as I could to help with improving my college entrance exams (SATs). Read more.

Registration is now open for the YMWIC 2023-2024 Program Year!

If your child is a rising 3rd - 11th grade student in the Chester Upland, Coatesville, Norristown Area, Phoenixville, Upper Darby, West Chester Area, or William Penn School Districts, or Horace Furness High School, Martin Luther King High School, or St. James School in Philadelphia and you are interested in having them become a part of the dynamic and rewarding YMWIC Pre-College After-School Program, click this link; and complete the Student Information Form. A member of our staff will contact you.

All returning Scholars can click these links to complete the 2023-2024 Program Year Online Scholar Application and the Scholar Personal Statement.

We look forward to welcoming all new and returning Scholars to another exciting year!

Scholars from our Upper Darby, Chester Upland, and William Penn Chapters recently embarked on a trip to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA, with our Civics & Debate Special Interest Group leader, Cintia Isles and her husband, Sheldon Isles. The Scholars engaged in live shows about civil liberties, explored the various exhibits in the museum, attended a guided tour and finally shared a meal together in the cafeteria. 

Scholars had a great time learning more about the history of our nation and making new friends in other YMWIC Chapters. There were tons of laughs and exposure to new, fascinating information for all who participated.

Coatesville Chapter: Bi Gui Liu will be a senior at Coatesville Area High School where he has been a Distinguished Honor Roll student. Since becoming a member of YMWIC, Bi Gui has committed to full participation. He says he has noticed improvement in his study and work habits and challenges himself more. He enjoys his involvement in Foundation activities and is taking advantage of everything offered to help prepare him for college and his future career.

Bi Gui enjoys Computer Science and Biology. He is not certain but thinks he would like to be a Software Programmer. 

Congratulations on your accomplishments, Bi Gui! Continue to work hard, and enjoy your senior year

Norristown Chapter: Christopher Peal joined YMWIC for the 2022-2023 Program Year. He will enter the 6th grade at Stewart Middle School this fall. As an enthusiastic YMWIC member, Christopher enjoyed being involved in projects and learning activities and welcomed the extra academic support he received. He also enjoyed the interesting topics addressed in the hands-on workshops and taking advantage of opportunities he may not otherwise have been exposed to. His participation has helped him maintain good grades.

In the future, Christopher would like to be either a Computer Tech Scientist, a Chef, or a Basketball Player.

Keep striving and actively participating, Christopher; we know you will succeed in whatever you choose.

Phoenixville Chapter: Mikahel Anselm will be an 11th grade student at Phoenixville Area High School in the fall. As a member of YMWIC, he intends to continue building his character. He has learned from experience that procrastination can keep him from accomplishing all he sets out to do and made improvements in that area last program year. 

Mikahel is looking forward to attending college and has gathered information about his career choices through YMWIC. He would like to become an Astrophysicist.

We can see your growth as well, Mikahel. Keep up your hard work and dedication.

Upper Darby Chapter: Charlieze Ganges will be a 10th grade student at Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School where she is an Honors student, was No. 3 in her class last year, and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). She has participated in her school's play and was able to display her leadership qualities by helping to organize other struggling students and assist them in learning their lines for the play.

Charlieze appreciates the great opportunities and experiences YMWIC offers her such as the College Tour, which she attended in 2023. Read more.

West Chester Chapter: Payton Palmer will be entering the 5th grade at Penn Wood Elementary School. She has been a member of our West Chester Chapter for two years. Reasons she joined was to take advantage of our programming, learn more about science and math, and get more practice in those subjects to improve her grades. She has been studying diligently and staying focused in the workshops.

Payton would like to go to college in the future and study to become a Veterinarian.

Continue to work hard, Payton; we are proud of you, your effort and your accomplishments!

William Penn Chapter: Allysa-Mari Beck was introduced to YMWIC when she accompanied her brother on a college tour in the summer of 2022. She connected with some other Scholars on the trip, which helped her to become more social and comfortable with getting to know others. She decided she wanted to be an active member of our Program and joined in the fall when she was in the 8th grade at Penn Wood Middle School.

As a member, Allysa-Mari has enjoyed working with her peers and building her confidence when presenting in front of others. She is taking advantage of all the new opportunities and life lessons YMWIC is making available, which helps her to examine things from varying perspectives. Allysa would like to go to college and study to become a Psychiatrist, because she enjoys helping others.

We are excited to have you as a member of YMWIC, Allysa!

Our programming prevents or lessens the effect of Summer Learning Loss, which is commonly referred to as the Summer Slide. According to research, students may lose a third of a year’s learning during summer vacation. The average child might lose more than two months’ worth of mathematical knowledge over the summer (Paechter et al 2015; Thum and Hauser 2015). Achievement gaps might also grow during summer vacations (Shinwell and Defeyter 2017). Our Summer Enrichment Program addresses these issues while ensuring campers are having fun and enhancing other valuable skills such as teamwork, socialization, resilience, leadership, sportsmanship, and decision making. 

Here are some highlights from the last few weeks of our Summer Programs:

STEAM Camps

During the last few weeks of STEAM Camps, Scholars continued to work on their Engineering-Based Science Kits. These kits helped Scholars develop Rover Robots that could be used on space expeditions and test their theories as to which ones would work best. 

Campers carried out experiments in which they created and air dropped packages to test which materials would best serve as insulation for packages dropped from different heights. They also completed the science projects they worked on all summer and presented them to an audience of their peers. The final field trip was to The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University where they were able to enjoy many exhibits and hands-on experiences.

We are happy to have provided these enriching and fun-filled summer experiences to our campers!  Read more.

Upward Bound Summer Programs

Upward Bound Scholars from Coatesville and Upper Darby wrapped up a fantastic summer full of enjoyable and engaging learning experiences. A “village” of volunteers and supporters made the Upward Bound Program possible. Listed are some of the Volunteers and the activities they facilitated while bringing exceptional value to the program:

• Retired Engineer Volunteers, Lloyd Brown and Bill Allaire, donated their time to lead Scholars in Building Underwater Robots which were then tested in YMWIC Partner WCUPA’s swimming pool.
• Partners from the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union presented a workshop on Financial Literacy, leading them in an interactive version of the Game of Life.
• Instructor Master Fox, Owner of Lupo Taekwondo, provided our Scholars with valuable insight on mental toughness careers and taught them about self-defense.

Read more.

William Penn School District Bridge Program

YMWIC's 2023 Summer Bridge Program for William Penn School District's incoming 9th grade students has come to an end. Sixty Scholars completed five weeks of College Prep Enrichment Programming facilitated by YMWIC staff and William Penn School District teachers.

The first few weeks were dedicated to Scholars learning about Colleges, Growth Mindset, Goal Setting, and Understanding College Is Accessible to Them. The last few weeks were dedicated to Team Building, Leadership Exploration and Problem Solving. Scholars discovered strategies in which they can improve their intelligence and set goals so they can succeed. Read more.

The Importance of Using Sunscreen

By Dayanis Morales-Salgado – Norristown Chapter

Who doesn’t enjoy lying on the beach on a sunny day? Many families travel during the summer under the scorching sun. While the sun in many ways helps keep us warm and supports vegetation growth, excessive sun exposure can have harmful health effects, including skin cancer. Because of this, sunscreen was invented.

Prolonged interaction with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as tanning or being at the beach, is a key risk factor for skin cancer. UV radiation, considered to be a carcinogen, is emitted through natural energy produced by the rays of the sun. Your eyes cannot see UV light because its wavelengths are shorter than visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum, but your skin can feel it. Read more.

The YMWIC 18th Annual College & Career Expo will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 9:00AM to 2:15PM at B. Reed Henderson High School in West Chester, PA. College, Corporate, and Career representatives will provide Scholars and Parents with valuable career and college information on topics including:

• College Readiness and Admissions Qualifications
• The College Application Process
• FAFSA Form Process
• Financial Literacy
• STEM Careers
• Personal Branding
• Apprenticeships
• Interviewing Skills
• And much more!

Families and Community Members:

You can register to attend the YMWIC 18th Annual Career and College Expo by selecting this link.

College and University Representatives and Corporate and Community Partners:

You are invited to interact one-on-one with YMWIC Scholars and their families at the YMWIC 18th Annual Career and College Expo. To register to take part at this exciting event as a presenter or Expo exhibitor, click here.

Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC): YMWIC Foundation, Inc., is eligible to receive funds from the EITC Program which is administered by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development. We thank those businesses that donate their EITC funding to YMWIC Foundation and encourage others to consider directing funding to our impactful community nonprofit that provides college and career preparation for K-12 students; empowers their families; counseling, financial support and internships for YMWIC college alumni; and enriches our communities through Community Service activities, increasing the number of college graduates, and developing a talented and skilled workforce. Please contact Rick Roberts at (610) 340-2844 if you would like to consider our YMWIC Foundation, Inc., as the recipient of your company's EITC funds.