Left to right: Mike LaChance, CEO, YMCA of Greater Nashua, Earl Prolman, Trustee and New York Life Agent (NH General Office), Marsha Bottino, Trustee and Grant Writer, Carlisa Choate, Executive Director of Education, YMCA of Greater Nashua

YMCA of Greater Nashua’s Power Scholars Academy Receives Grant from MDRT Foundation

The MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table) Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to the YMCA of Greater Nashua in support of the Y’s Power Scholars Academy. A Y member and supporter for over 50 years, Earl Prolman of Nashua, nominated Power Scholars Academy to apply for this grant through his affiliation with MDRT.

Power Scholars Academy (PSA) is a 5-week program each July and August.  The program is done in partnership with the Nashua School District and offers classes in the Amherst Street and Fairgrounds Elementary Schools, with middle school students attending Nashua High School South. This full-day program serves more than 300 Nashua students entering grades 1-9 each summer. Nearly 1,600 Nashua youth have taken part in Power Scholars Academy since the program started in 2018.

The curriculum for PSA includes evidence-based literacy and numeracy instruction.  The afternoon portion of the day focuses on extracurricular enrichment, career readiness and building behavioral health.  Students gain access to a number of community programs in arts & humanities, STEM activities and sports such as swimming and dance. There are educational field trips and guest speakers on Friday’s that compliment the learning in a more hands on environment.

Students are given assessments at the beginning and ending of each 5-week term.  Traditional studies show students lose 2 ½ months during summer break. But during the first six years of the program, in 1,600 students that have participated in Power Scholars, those assessments have shown these students have gained, on average, 3 ½ months of reading literacy and nearly four months in numeracy.

“We appreciate this MDRT Foundation grant, which allows us to keep students active and engaged in educational programming during the summer, helping to combat summer learning loss and prepared to learn and thrive in school” says YMCA of Greater Nashua CEO Mike LaChance.

Through its global grants programs, the MDRT Foundation is committed to building stronger families and communities around the globe. This year, the MDRT Foundation will award over $1.6 million in MDRT member-endorsed grants to over 300 charitable organizations worldwide.

About the MDRT Foundation:

The MDRT Foundation was created in 1959 to provide MDRT members with a means to give back to their communities. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $38 million in more than 72 countries throughout the world and in all 50 U.S. states. These funds were raised by MDRT members and industry partners. For more information, visit mdrtfoundation.org.

About the YMCA of Greater Nashua:

The YMCA of Greater Nashua is stands as a cornerstone of community support. The YMCA has established over 150 collaborative partnerships, making significant strides in addressing the diverse needs of residents. Recent recognition as an Engage Every Student Champion by the Department of Education speaks volumes about the YMCA’s commitment to at risk youth in our community, by addressing educational gaps such as summer learning loss.  With a focus on the well-being of individuals and families, the YMCA’s impact is profound, evident through serving 48,000 individuals, 18,000 of these individuals being under age 18.  The YMCA of Greater Nashua is a four-star rated charity with Charity Navigator and is incredibly grateful to the support of its donors.

For more information on the YMCA of Greater Nashua and our Power Scholars Academy visit www.nmymca.org or call 603-598-1533.

Contact: Megan Gibeau, Chief Mission Advancement Officer, mgibeau@nmymca.org