YMCA Inspiration and Impact Report - 2019

“
Aika had the best summer of her
life. She got better with her studies
and the YMCA’s staff found a way
to truly reach her.
WATCH
~
WATCH
Michelle Muhammad, Aika’s mom
Experiencing the power of
POWER SCHOLARS
The Y’s Power Scholars Program is a five-week
summer program designed to tackle summer
learning loss in children entering first through
sixth grade, while also fostering physical, social
and emotional growth. For Aika Muhammad and
her family, the program has been a life-saver.
When the Muhammad family moved to Chester
County from the Deep South, eight-year-old Aika
was bullied in her new school, causing her to
retreat socially and academically.
For two years Aika struggled and rarely showed
glimpses of the girl she used to be. It was then she
was invited to participate in our Power Scholars
program, which the Y was able to offer at no cost
to the family, thanks to many generous donations.
“Aika had the best summer of her life,” says her
mother Michelle. “She got better with her studies
and the staff found a way to truly reach her and
tend to her needs, academically and socially. She
was able to turn her attitude toward academics
around and looked forward to the upcoming school
year – something she had never done before.”
THE VIDEO!
At school, Aika’s grades improved and she became
more comfortable talking to her teachers when
she had a problem. “She was out of her shell!”
says Michelle. “Now Aika regularly makes the
honor’s WATCH list and her younger sister Jamilah–also a
Power THE VIDEO! Scholars student-is on student council with
a mission to help other children in the school, just
like she sees with the staff at the YMCA.”
THE VIDEO!