With the assistance of a group of volunteers who solicited sponsors and supporters, the 2014 Annual Goodwill Golf Outing raised more than $46,000.
Proceeds from the event held in September benefit the Ted Van Name/Goodwill Scholarship Fund which assists Goodwill team members and their families and program graduates with an opportunity to earn their high school diploma or a two-year associate degree in any area of study in which they have an interest.
Those who took advantage of a picture-perfect golf day helped provide assistance to those in need to start or re-start their education and move closer to self-sufficiency, Goodwill reported.
In 2013, Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County provided nearly 45,000 services to individuals throughout the region and helped over 500 individuals connect to employment.
Sallie Mae fund donates $15,000
The Sallie Mae Fund, the philanthropic arm of Sallie Mae—the nation’s saving, planning and paying for college company – announced a $15,000 grant to the YMCA of Delaware to support the Black Achievers Program and Teen Leadership Programs at the Central and Walnut street branches of the YMCA in Wilmington.
“We are grateful to the Sallie Mae Fund for their donation to the YMCA’s Black Achievers Program and the Teen Leadership Programs at the Central and Walnut Street branches,” said Deborah Bagatta-Bowles, CEO of the YMCA of Delaware. “Both programs exemplify the Y’s commitment to strengthening our youth with education, training, community and guidance. The Black Achievers program, to date, has demonstrated tremendous success with 95 percent of the graduating Black Achievers entering college each year. We look forward to a continued partnership with Sallie Mae and The Sallie Mae Fund.”
Launched in 1967, the Black Achievers Program is a college preparatory and career awareness program designed for disadvantaged youth to increase college enrollment. It pairs minority high school youth with successful adult achievers who, through volunteer service, serve as mentors and role models providing educational, cultural and career guidance.
The YMCA’s Teen Leadership Programs also offers mentoring sessions on weekday afternoons with adult volunteer leaders – including Sallie Mae employees – to explore and learn about various career fields and opportunities.
