Thursday, June 29, 2017
Today Scott Berg, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield, hosted Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick and Assistant Superintendent Lydia Martinez, along with program donors from Big Y World Class Market, MassMutual, Smith & Wesson, AECOM Tishman, Berkshire Bank, Health New England and more as he shared successes of the Y-Aim Program.
Y-AIM (Achieve academically, Inspire to attend college, and Move toward personal growth) provides talented, underachieving, at-risk youth in middle and high school with a dedicated support system throughout those integral educational years to help ensure successes like graduating high school, attending college, and finding gainful employment. The YMCA of Greater Springfield works together with Springfield Public Schools, the United Way of Pioneer Valley, the Amelia Peabody Foundation, Big Y Foods, Smith & Wesson, MassMutual and other area business partners to help youth become motivated, ambitious, and productive through the Y-AIM programs, including the Teen Advisory Board, Leaders Club, and Making Proud Choices.
Y-AIM is offered at the following schools: High School of Commerce, High School of Science and Technology, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, Springfield Central High School, Springfield High School (S.A.F.E.), Balliet Middle School, John J. Duggan Middle School, John F. Kennedy Middle School, Springfield Conservatory of the Arts and Springfield Public Day Middle School.
During the 2015-2016 school year alone:
• 169 high school students, 99 middle school students and 213 Outreach center teens participated (a total of 481 teens).
• 40 of the teens were seniors and 100% of those seniors graduated.
• 87% of the seniors who graduated were accepted and enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college or university, 1 enrolled in a preparatory school and 13% planned to enter the workforce.
• The advancement rate for grades 9-11 was 96%.
• The middle school advancement rate was 95%.
• The overall advancement rate for Y-AIM is 97%.
