Support & Mentoring through Activities
Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, in conjunction with Montana Resources, awards Butte YMCA $300,000 over three years to support 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders through Active Teens Program
Butte, Montana August 24, 2016 – Butte Family YMCA CEO, Phillip Borup announced today that the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, in conjunction with Montana Resources, has awarded a three-year grant of $100,000 per year to fund the YMCA Active Teens program.
“Our partnership with the Butte YMCA recognizes the tremendous leadership role the “Y” plays in building strong and healthy youth and families,” Mike Halligan, Executive Director of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation said. “The Butte YMCA has the professional staff, community partners, and facilities to make a difference in children’s lives and we’re proud to be able to support their new Active Teens Program.”
Montana Resources President, Rolin Erickson added “The Y is a valuable asset to the Butte community and giving free Y membership to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders through the Active Teens program is a great way to give young people the tools they need to develop strong personal assets and succeed in life.”
The YMCA’s Active 6 program has been in operation for the past 4 years with funding support from the Foundation. It is now expanding to include every sixth, seventh, and eighth grader in Butte area schools. Active Teens is designed to assist young people in better understanding self-esteem, teamwork, the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and to gain a sense of value in the community at a time when peer pressure has the most negative impact in their lives. The YMCA is partnering with the Butte School District and East Middle School to provide academic enrichment and extracurricular activities before and after school. The YMCA provides access opportunities to more than 1,050 students to its facilities through free membership each year.
Butte School District’s Director of Curriculum, Jim O’Neill said “The Y provides opportunities for all children to develop healthy minds and bodies in a safe environment, which are essential building blocks in youth development and success in the classroom. “
Phillip Borup, CEO said, “The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation define leadership and generosity in our local neighborhoods and throughout the State of Montana. Through our partnership with the Foundation, we will continue our commitment to area teens helping them enjoy good health, stay connected to their families and gain a sense of value within our community. We are truly grateful to the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation for this and the many contributions they give to the Butte community.”
For more information contact
Stephanie Feist, CEO, 406-782-1266 buttefamilyymca@gmail.com
Mike Halligan, Executive Director of Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, 406-523-1325, mhalligan@washcorp.com
About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. ymca.net
About the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies and the Washington family. The Foundation strives to better the human condition by supporting programs and services that give people the tools to enhance the quality of their lives and to benefit society as a whole. Funding for the Foundation comes from personal contributions from the Washington Family and annual contributions from The Washington Companies. Since its inception in 1988, Foundation giving and the Washington Family’s personal contributions and pledges to charitable causes total more than $204 million.
