AT&T Awards YMCA of Orange County $5000 Grant to Purchase New Computers for Afterschool Care Program

Oct. 30, 2010 - PRLog -- AT&T has awarded the YMCA of Orange County a $5,000 grant to purchase new computers for the Benson YMCA Afterschool Program. This grant will support the development of a technology center and will extend learning and enrichment opportunities for children participating in the program. Computers will be used to support student's academic needs and enhance Afterschool Curricula to include relevant and self-directed learning opportunities as well as computer clubs and other enrichment activities.

Computers and media help children to personalize and recreate knowledge through hands-on, interactive learning. Children are given the opportunity to explore knowledge and subject matter in their own ways, using problem solving and critical thinking skills to investigate their interests and ideas in a virtual world. Technology and media are also fruitful avenues for self-expression, creativity and imagination offering youth opportunities to create and explore through video documentaries, photography, blogs, music composition, digital portfolios, and other multi-media applications.

This is the second year that AT&T has supported the Y's afterschool programs, according to Christine Salas, Director of Operations, YMCA of Orange County Child Care Services, "we are thankful for their support of our efforts to provide nurturing and engaging environments before and after school where kids can discover who they are and what they can achieve."

# # #

About YMCAOC: With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y serves Orange County through six (6) Health & Wellness centers (Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, and Santa Ana) and over 50 Afterschool Program centers. YMCA programs celebrate and honor common values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring by infusing character development into the foundation and practice of programs; from youth sports and group exercise classes to parent/child programs and community services– Y programs strive to build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The YMCA of Orange County is a nonprofit, charitable organization that serves the entire community. Donations support scholarship programs and the intention to keep programs open for all. www.ymcaoc.org