
Lealman Exchange is home to a variety of tenant organizations who serve our community and beyond. Today, we are chatting with Kimberly Lohrey, Executive Director of Education for YMCA Greater St. Petersburg.
Tell us a little about yourself and your organization: I oversee the YReads! Program and Middle Academies have been with the YMCA for six years. The program has expanded from 3 schools to 13 with the support of our funders the Juvenile Welfare Board. The success of the program is due to the amazing YReads! Staff, the supportive school staff, and our dedicated families.
Tell us who you serve and how: YReads! is a free after-school reading tutoring program offered in 13 different schools serving over 600 students in Pinellas County ranging from kindergarten to 8th grade to improve reading skills. It uses parent and teacher surveys, along with diagnostic and internal assessments to determine academic needs for each student to create an individualized learning plan to help students reach their fullest potential.
What drives your mission? The YMCA’s mission as a non-profit is to improve lives, nurture families, and strengthen the community. The YReads! program carries this mission to the families, the schools, and our grant partners.
Do you have an accomplishment you are particularly proud of and would like to share? We are proud to be part of an organization whose first priority is the families and communities it serves.
What programs or opportunities are available to our Lealman neighbors through your organization? If you would like to be a volunteer for the YReads! Program, please get in touch with Rachel Waite at rwaite@stpeteymca.com.
To learn more about YReads!, visit https://www.stpeteymca.org/