Coordinator for Active Citizenship

Shannon Turner

Coordinator for Active Citizenship

YMCA at Virginia Tech

Squires Student Center

Blacksburg, VA 24060

October 1, 2001

Hilltop Terrace

Dear Property Manager of Hilltop Terrace:

I am writing on behalf of the YMCA at Virginia Tech. Since 1988 the YMCA at Virginia Tech has organized and sponsored after school programs for students in the Blacksburg area. However, the YMCA at Virginia Tech is in need of spaces to house the programs in order for them to be continued.

In years past, the YMCA at Virginia Tech has held after school programs in apartment complexes, providing after school care to the children who live there. We are currently running a program at Hilltop Terrace for about seven children. The former property managers agreed to have the YMCA at Virginia Tech hold the program in the community room of the complex, but it is not always guaranteed to be available, as the room is used for other activities when the program is not in session.

The after school program at Hilltop Terrace provides a safe place for children of low-income families to go to after school while their parents are at work. Children are fed a snack and have the opportunity to do arts and crafts. They also have time to do school work and play with other students attending the program. If this program is not continued, children will be home alone in their apartments until their parents come home from work. This is both unsafe and unhealthy for the children.

The after school program offered by the YMCA at Virginia Tech is free, so there is no income to cover the cost of rent for a permanent apartment space. If there is no place to hold the program, the children will be out of a fun, safe place to go after school.

It is ideal for the YMCA at Virginia Tech to hold such programs in an apartment within the complex, mainly because the children who attend the program live in the apartment complex already. Program leaders meet the children when they get off the bus and walk them to the program facility. Children are under close supervision by a staff of program leaders and YMCA volunteers. When it is time for the children to go home, program leaders walk each child to his or her home to ensure they get there safely.

I realize you receive many requests; however, we are in need of a space in order to continue such a wonderful program for children of low-income families. The donation of an apartment from Hilltop Terrace will help to provide a space for children to go after school. Here, they have a snack, play with their peers, make crafts, and have the opportunity to do school work. This program is safe and led by a loving staff of both program leaders and student volunteers. Best of all, this program is free so even low-income families that can not afford child care know their children are being looked after and are in good hands.

Any consideration you may give to help the YMCA at Virginia Tech continue the after school program provided to low-income families will be greatly appreciated by both the parents of the children and the community.

Respectfully,

Shannon Turner

231-3734