Southeast Ventura County YMCA Seeks School Supply Donations
The Californer/10284696

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. - Californer -- The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is holding a school supply donation drive through July 15. Donated items will help stock backpacks of young scholars who take part in the Y's "Find My Genius" program. The program is offered during the summer and after school to low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level in the Moorpark, Las Virgenes and Simi Valley school districts.

"A backpack filled with the school supplies they need is a great way for kids to start a new school year," says Julie Birkett, summer program director for Find My Genius.

Requested supplies include backpacks, 24-pack crayons, composition notebooks, pencils, colored pencils, erasers, pocket folders, glue sticks and hand sanitizers. A generous donor donated 700 backpacks.

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Scholars are selected by their teachers. In addition to academic support, the program also includes enrichment activities, sports, field trips and arts and crafts--providing a well-rounded experience.

Supplies can be dropped off in bins located in the lobbies of the Simi Valley YMCA (3200 Cochran Street) and the Yarrow Family YMCA (31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Westlake Village)

Founded in 2018, Find My Genius is supported by the participating school districts, donors and foundations.

For more information or to make a cash donation, go to www.sevymca.org/backpacks (http://www.sevymca.org/backpacks?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2V65dKPM9spBVqe7nK5FhgE2xZqNkzcgpn_802dRgM6Mds_wzrNdi8qV4_aem_CcB5KOzMbIUXrSCT51fYeA).