Tag: Find My Genius

Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s “Find My Genius” Now An After-School Program

For the past four years, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA has been offering its “Find My Genius” enrichment summer program to kids not reading at grade level. It is now conducting a five-week after-school Find My Genius pilot program at five Conejo Valley schools with the goal to expand the free program year-round.

Two hundred Title One, English language learners and foster youth at Acacia, Ladera, Madrona, Maple and Walnut elementary schools began the program on May 2. Young scholars in first through fifth grades spend three hours every school day participating in a curriculum focusing on enrichment activities, physical fitness and social and emotional learning. The children also receive homework support.

“It’s been our dream to offer Find My Genius during the school year,” says Megan Glynn, YMCA’s Chief Development Officer. “This is the first step. Imagine if children had access to assistance for a full year in a fun, nurturing environment? The main roadblock was funding.”

Julie Birkett, YMCA’s ‘Find My Genius’ Teacher/Site Director, Named BellXcel’s “Educator of the Year”

Julie Birkett, fourth grade teacher at Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills and teacher/Site Director at the Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s “Find My Genius” summer learning program, was named “Educator of the Year” by BellXcel. BellXcel partners with school districts and community-based organizations to help close the education gap for students who are not performing at grade level. Birkett was selected out of over 1,000 teachers nationwide.

Birkett’s award was announced at a Zoom YMCA board meeting on Tuesday, March 16.

Southeast Ventura County YMCA & Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Give Away Almost 500 Toys

Staff members of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA and officers from the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department gave away almost 500 toys on Thursday at the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village.

Toys were distributed to 120 young scholars (and their siblings) who participated in last summer’s “Find My Genius” YMCA program. In addition, each family received a $100 VISA debit card donated by the Lost Hills Sheriff Foundation. Families stayed in their cars while YMCA volunteers and sheriff officers handed out toys.

Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s “Find My Genius” Receives $20,000 Grant From Sherwood Country Club Charitable Foundation

VENTURA COUNTY — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s “Find My Genius” youth summer education program recently received a $20,000 grant from the Sherwood Country Club Charitable Foundation (also known as Sherwood Cares). The funds will go towards supporting the five-week…

Cal Lutheran Students To Assist At YMCA’s ‘Find My Genius’ Summer Achievement Program

THOUSAND OAKS — For the second year, California Lutheran University graduate school students will be earning hands-on teaching experience at the Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s “Find My Genius,” a five-week achievement gap program for low- and moderate-income students who are…