Back when it was known as the YMCA (or YWCA), the Y was a place to go for practicing a jump shot, swim, lift weights and generally get – or stay – in shape. But today the “y” stands as much for holistic youth development as it does for physical fitness. And a new initiative launched in Indianapolis supported by The Indianapolis Foundation and the Efroymson Family Fund will serve as a national model for bringing college readiness activities to Indianapolis Y’s – and ultimately to Y’s across the country.

Here’s how it works: 

The Urban Mission Y in Indianapolis was founded as a Y without walls, and provides enrichment programming with an educational, social and character development focus to school and community partners. In 2010, with the help of Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Urban Mission Y was selected by the national Y to launch a college readiness initiative throughout the
11 branches and affiliates in Marion and Hamilton counties. This initiative will serve as a model for embedding college readiness programming (and positive outcomes) within the Y’s culture nationwide.

CICF will work with the Urban Mission Y to develop college readiness standards and provide coordination of college preparatory services and services and activities throughout the organization. Based on the KnowHow2Go program, a partnership between the American Council on Education and Lumina Foundation for Education, these standards will likely include:

• Training Y staff and volunteers to understand basic college access steps so they
  may serve as Y-based mentors.
• Standardizing tutoring and developing graduation and career course plans.
• Partnering with Indiana Youth Institute to use interactive computer software and online tools designed to help would-be students better their options, and better prepare for them.
• Coordinating “College Goal Sunday,” a national event designed to help students and their families capitalize on available financial aid programs in order to spur post-secondary education opportunities.

In addition, each branch may serve as a Twenty-first Century Scholars Enrollment site, a program with proven results in bolstering college enrollment, especially by low-income students. Since 1990, the program has encouraged economically disadvantaged middle-school students to graduate from high school and enroll in post-secondary opportunities. Ninety-two percent of the Scholars graduated from high school in 2009 compared to 81.5 percent of the general student population. And 68 percent enrolled in post-secondary opportunities — a rate higher than the state’s reported average.

Founded in London, England in 1844, the United States Y serves 21 million people of all ages, incomes, backgrounds and abilities who use its facilities and programs to learn and grow. Locally, 12 YMCA branches serve more than 185,000 people from diverse communities, and provide over $7 million in scholarships, program subsidies, and underwritten programs in low-income communities in order to help them thrive. With CICF’s help, and your continued support, countless children will have access to advanced educations, more rewarding careers and successful lives all at the Y. Now that’s getting in shape!