YWCA recieves $15,000 grant

The YWCA of Hawaii Island Developmental Preschool has received a $15,000 grant from the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation to be used toward tuition assistance for low-income families.

“Families continue to struggle to keep their children in preschool. With the tuition assistance that this grant provides, parents are

able to enroll and keep their children in our preschool. We are grateful and appreciate the generosity of this foundation,” said Lissa Van Kralingen, child care director.

The YWCA of Hawaii Island’s Developmental Preschool provides year-round educational and developmental child care for children between the ages of 2 and 5, which includes the use of the YWCA solar heated salt water swimming pool.

“We are thrilled with this fantastic news. Our keiki are our community’s future. It’s so important that they get off to a good start,

especially in education‚” said Jennifer Tanouye, YWCA board president.

YWCA Hawaii Island is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is the elimination of racism and empowerment of women. Established in 1919, the organization offers services and programs which include: a Hawaii licensed preschool; an aquatics center; the only island-wide 24/7 rape crisis center; the only Teen Court for the Big Island; and the only home visitation new mother and baby support program for all of East Hawaii.

The YWCA Hawaii Island is part of the YWCA USA, the oldest and largest national women’s organization. Nationally, the YWCA serves 2.5 million women and girls each year. Globally, the YWCA USA is a member of World YWCA, which has affiliates in 122 countries that serve 25 million women and girls worldwide.

For more information about the YWCA, visit www.ywcahawaiiisland.org. Contact Lorraine Davis, ICEO, at 935-6067, ext. 162, or ldavis@ywcahawaiiisland.org.