Achievement Gap Program for Henry Wilson Elementary School Students
YSTART is a research-based, structured, educational Community Impact Success Measures enrichment after-school program that utilizes prescribed dosages of educational components and meets strict fidelity markers. YSTART fills a critical need within the city of Manchester as it is specifically designed to provide a safe, enriching program for low-income children living in a neighborhood where they can be touched by violence and/or drugs on a daily basis. YSTART recognizes the strengths and challenges of its families and aims to work with parents, teachers and the community toward the common goal of raising healthy, confident, community caring children.
If you would like to learn more about this program, please contact info@graniteymca.org.
For Southside, Parkside, Hillside, McLaughlin Middle, and Memorial High School Students
YSTAY provides direct services to 115 at-risk students yearly who are experiencing academic failure, chronic truancy, behavioral problems, or family crises. YSTAY’s combination of academic support, team building, mentoring, life skills focus, character development, and adventure education is clearly needed in this community. YSTAY provides students with a critical link to adult role models, a chance to access new positive experiences, and a stronger connection to learning and education, increasing their commitment to school, peers, and community. YSTAY guides the path toward academic success, personal growth, and community engagement for students, enabling them to thrive in every aspect of their lives.
“YSTAY has helped me in more way than I could ever imagine. YSTAY has helped me figure out who I really am. And to see what the future holds and what the real world is like. YSTAY has helped me positively make a change in not only my attitude, but also in my behavior.” – YSTAY Student
- 18% of students increased their grades in quarter 1- quarter 4
- 27% of students reduced absents from 2021-22 to 2022-2023
- 12% of students increased grades from 2021-22 to 2022-23
- 4% of students have faced being unhoused in the last 2 years
- 43% are being raised in a single-caregiver household
For more information, please contact Bri Hess, YSTAY Program Director, at bhess@graniteymca.org.
For Manchester Students Who Are Suspended or Expelled.
Operating for over 20 years, YSTRIVE is the only Community Impact Success Measures program in Manchester for youth who are not attending school due to suspension and expulsion. YSTRIVE works with all four middle schools and the three public high schools to provide services to these youth. This program offers academic support, life skills, and community service initiatives. Classroom activities utilize one-to-one academic tutoring to get these students back on grade level and life skills lessons to help students build social and interpersonal skills.
YSTRIVE, the only program in Manchester for suspended and expelled students, offers academic support, life skills, and community service programs. Classroom activities utilize one-to-one academic tutoring to get these students back on grade level and life skills lessons to help students build social and interpersonal skills.
- 92% of students learned more positive ways of resolving conflicts, expressing emotions, resisting peer pressure, and avoiding dangerous situations.
- 100% of participating students received credit for the work they completed when attending YSTRIVE.
At-Risk Students in Manchester Entering Grades 1 – 11.
Kids from low-income families often start school unprepared. Despite progressing at the same rate during the school year, learning gaps widen each summer and these students fall farther behind their peers. This achievement gap culminates in low high school graduation and college attainment rates, limited job prospects, and negative economic impact.
Power Scholars is a six-week, full-day summer program for youth entering grades 1 – 11, operating Monday – Friday for 6.5 hours a day. Power Scholars focuses on both academic and enrichment programming. Students participate in Humanities and STEM curriculum, that is rotated each year for students to learn new skills as they progress through Power Scholars.
Afternoon enrichment activities introduce students to their community and provide college and career awareness, art education, STEM, and physical activity. Partnerships with community partners such as the SEE Science Center, UNH STEM, Manchester Community Music School, Media Power Youth, and Amoskeag Health, allow us to expand our program offering new experiences to our students.
Adventure field trips are held weekly on Fridays to introduce students to New Hampshire’s many recreational opportunities. Field Trips have included hiking Pack Monadnock, visiting Stonewall Farm in Keene, taking a boat trip out of Newburyport, MA, and many more, enriching students’ lives through memorable adventures and fostering a deeper connection to the world around them.
For more information, please contact Chris Stetson at cstetson@graniteymca.org.
All children, especially young children, cannot learn, grow, or thrive when hungry. Our year-round and after school food programs make sure all children have access to nutritious foods while in our care. The Granite YMCA is an active participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) allowing us to nourish all children in our care, one meal at a time.
- 175,098 meals were served by The Granite YMCA from June 2022 – July 2023.
CACFP Sites Include:
- YMCA of Downtown for students in Early Learning, Teen Center, and Schools Out Program
- YMCA of Concord for students in Early Learning and Schools Out Program
- Somersworth Child Care Center in Early Learning and Schools Out Program
For questions please contact Jessica Riendeau, Director of Annual Giving and Impact, at jriendeau@graniteymca.org.
