GR YMCA afterschool programs get $35k

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A $35,000 grant from J.C. Penney's will fund afterschool programs at the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids .

The donation will help kids who previously couldn't participate in the Y's afterschool programs at seven different branches to do so.

In the U.S., 15.1 million children are left unsupervised after 3 p.m. during the school year, according to the Afterschool Alliance. That prompted J.C. Penney's to donate the money through their charitable giving program, jcp cares.

Throughout the month of January, J.C. Penney shoppers may donate extra money which will be forwarded to the YMCA.
 
Studies show that participation in afterschool programs helps boost school attendance and academic performance.  It also reduces gaps in academic achievement among children from disadvantaged households.
 
"The support of J.C. Penney enhances our efforts to serve as many children as possible with meaningful, high-quality afterschool programming," said Ron Nelson, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids in a press release.