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Foundation Gifts Transform Outdoor Exploration at The Learning Circle YMCA

Summit, NJ – October 30, 2024 – Outdoor exploration is a critical part of early childhood education, and thanks to generous grants from The Summit Foundation and E.J. Grassmann Trust, the students at The Learning Circle YMCA (TLC) now have even more space and resources to get the most out of this critical period in their lives. For the last six years, the staff at TLC had a dream to redesign the outdoor space for their toddlers with an expansive deck that would allow the children ample space to run, play, and do their favorite activity: scoot around in self-powered toy cars. That dream came to life recently thanks to a generous grant of $23,300 from The Summit Foundation and $5,000 from the E.J. Grassmann Trust. On October 15, the new space was unveiled to the 52 students in TLC’s toddler program.

“The new toddler deck at The Learning Circle YMCA truly enriched the children’s outdoor experiences,” said TLC Toddler Program Director Angela Gamble. “Toddlers are ‘sensory motor’ and require ample time and space to move and explore using their emerging motor skills. Our new deck offers the children more space to run, hop, drive cars, and move freely outside.” This generous grant from The Summit Foundation will continue to impact these toddlers as they grow at TLC, as the foundation’s contribution also covered the costs of an outdoor kitchen and seating area for preschoolers as well as a short-throw projector for interactive learning in Pre-kindergarten.

“Unstructured play is essential for the well-being of young children as they explore, imagine, and connect with others,” said Dana Turk, president and trustee of The Summit Foundation. “We are proud to support enhancements to TLC’s outdoor playground, enriching the nurturing and stimulating environment it offers to over 200 children—infants through Kindergarten.”

As part of the larger Summit Area YMCA, students at TLC are part of a larger YMCA community that is ready and equipped to support their long-term education and well-being thanks to decades-long partnerships with organizations like The Summit Foundation and the E.J. Grassmann Trust. All three organizations share in a commitment to strengthening our community from its youngest learners to its longest residents.

Those who are interested in learning more about TLC’s robust early childhood education programs are encouraged to visit www.thesay.org/tlc.

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BERKELEY HEIGHTS YMCA | SUMMIT YMCA | THE LEARNING CIRCLE YMCA

In 1886, we were founded as the Young Men’s Christian Association, but today, we are The Y; an association that values, and is made stronger by, its diverse people. We stand for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility — For a better us. We are committed to creating equal opportunity for all regardless of gender, age, disability, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive culture in which our four core values — responsibility, honesty, caring and respect — are integral to everyday operations.

Each year, as one of the area’s leading 501(c)3 charitable organizations, the Summit Area YMCA serves more than 15,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the New Jersey communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit. Our history is rooted in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those in need.

Please note that the section of Maple Street closest to the Summit YMCA will be closed from approximately 7 AM to 11 AM on Sunday, May 5, for our Mother’s Day 5K. Please use Cedar Street to access the public lot that is next to our building.