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May 14, 2018 <br />Clerk of City Council <br />20 Civic Center Plaza <br />Santa Ana, CA 92702 <br />Dear Clerk of City Council, <br />The YMCA of Orange County would like to request $75,000 to support our financial assistance program <br />in Santa Ana, This would benefit our afterschool obildcare program and youth and adults sports programs <br />at our Santa Ana Sports and Aquatics Center. <br />For afterschool childcare, this grant could allow us to serve twice as many children in our afterschool <br />tutoring program, helping Santa Ana children like Suzette. <br />"Suzette has been struggling for many years now. She has an unstable home environment as her father has <br />experienced some emotional and financial crisis. Recently Grandma has taken over her care. Grandma is <br />a single parent and is not able to provide additional help for Suzette. Because of the Santa Ana CDBG <br />funding, the YMCA was able to provide Suzette not only with childcare help but also with afterschool <br />Tutoring support. A big difference has been observed in Suzette's persona. Last week I spoke to her <br />teacher and she told me that Suzette is now turning in completed homework assignments regularly, her <br />school focus has improved tremendously and her reading level has jumped 2 levels in such a short <br />time. Her tutor informed me that she is now able to focus on her work much better and is now completing <br />a much as 3 math worksheets a day as opposed to the 2 problems she would complete before. It brings us <br />great joy when Suzette comes in with a big smile, wanting us to let grandma know how much effort she <br />has demonstrated during the day. The program has made such an impact on her that she now comes in <br />asking for work to improve on her skills." <br />- Elizabeth Medina, Child Care Director <br />For the Sports and Aquatics Center, this grant could be the difference in the life of a young child who <br />may otherwise drown due to lack of safety around water training, or the difference in opportunity for <br />another child who may only be able to afford soccer with a scholarship program—like the one offered at <br />the YMCA. <br />Thank you to the City Council for taking the time to consider our proposal for funding. This funding will <br />truly make a difference in the lives of people it touches. <br />Best, <br />—� <br />S ah Steffen <br />Associate Development Director <br />( <br />YMCA OF ORANGE COUNTY a <br />