The Youth Center recently received a Walmart Community grant for $1,500 earmarked specifically for STEAM and sports supplies and scholarships to their RASCALS After School programs offered at Rossmoor Park, Rush Park, and The Youth Center in Los Alamitos, CA.
Walmart believes that strengthening local communities creates value – for business as well as society. That’s why Walmart empowers each store to strengthen and support their local communities. Each year, U.S. stores award local cash grants. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where Walmart operates. Noted philanthropist and wife of Sam Walton (Founder of Walmart, Inc.) Helen Walton used to say “It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.”
The Youth Center’s RASCALS After School program is an alternative to kids going home to an empty house and idle activities, providing homework help and fun activities in a safe and nurturing environment. They award scholarships to children of families in need, allowing them to attend RASCALS After School programs.
“The need for scholarships in our community has never been greater than now,” said Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lumme. “Many local families lost jobs during COVID-19 shutdowns and are still suffering financially. It’s an incredible feeling of relief to know that more families can get help this year, thanks to the incredible generosity of Walmart,” she explained. “The additional STEAM and sports supplies will help keep all of our kids busy and active.”
The Youth Center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to transform children’s lives one family at a time through collaborative social, educational and recreational programs. Since the birth of The Youth Center in 1952, The Youth Center has been honored to establish valuable partnerships within the community and acknowledges their critical importance in the organization’s current and future success. For additional information on The Youth Center, please call (562) 493-4043 or visit www.TheYouthCenter.org.