YMCA of Greater Louisville receives $100k grant from PNC Foundation for early learning program

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A fall festival shared the importance of early learning readiness in Louisville as the PNC Foundation gifted a $100,000 grant to the program.

The Southwest Family YMCA Fall Festival brought families together for a day filled with activities and resources on Saturday. The family-friendly event was free and open to the public, and included families who participate in the YMCA's Early Learning Readiness program.

"Only 43% of our young people are going into JCPS kindergarten ready and education is the greatest equalizer and we've got to make sure we're investing so our kids get that healthy start they need for school," YMCA of Louisville President Gary Cobbs said.

The PNC Foundation announced at the event a $100,000 grant to support the local delivery of the program through the end of the 2024-25 school year.

"As a champion for high-quality early childhood education, PNC understands what the YMCA knows to be true – that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial to their development and future success," Kristen Byrd, PNC regional president for Kentucky, said in a news release. “Parents and caregivers play a vital role in helping to ensure our community’s future leaders enter kindergarten ready to learn and thrive, and we look forward to helping the YMCA continue this meaningful work that will create impact for years to come.”

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg spoke about the importance of the ELR program, which empowers parents and caregivers to be their child's first teacher. The program aims to help children age 0 to 5 who aren't enrolled in formal preschool or Head Start programs to be better prepared for kindergarten.

The grant is expected to fund the participation of 270 families in the program, along with enabling the expansion of the program's offerings that are available at seven YMCA branch locations in Louisville. The ELR program was implemented locally in 2023. Since it was started, almost 400 families have participated in the free initiative. It also has expanded to reach 30 Spanish speaking families.

“School readiness is a known challenge in our community, with only 43% of Jefferson County Public Schools kindergarten students prepared and ready to learn on Day 1,” Greenberg said in a news release. “ELR represents a tangible solution and one that emphasizes a supportive family and community environment to help ensure Louisville’s youngest citizens are prepared to enter kindergarten with the skills needed to thrive.”

The event also had bounce houses, a pumpkin patch, trunk-or-treat, games and refreshments.

To learn more about the YMCA's Early Learning Readiness Program, click here.

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