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YMCA, Foundation for Erie Public Schools outline partnerships, grants and student services
Summary
YMCA described teen center programs, water-safety classes and workforce pathways; the Foundation for Erie Public Schools summarized mini-grants, booster fiscal-agent services and a $40,000 scholarship fund. Directors asked about enrollment, funding, and scaling.
Representatives from the YMCA and the Foundation for Erie Public Schools (FEPS) described community partnerships that support Erie City School District students and requested closer operational ties with district staff.
Jim Mowey of the YMCA told the board the YMCA runs a teen center with programs in music composition, digital arts, culinary and app development and is seeking stronger middle- and high-school engagement. "We have about a little over 50 kids enrolled in the teen center. Our goal is to have about 200 by the end of this year," Mowey said, noting the Y will host an open house and described youth civic-engagement and podcasting initiatives.
Mowey outlined a free "safety around water" learn-to-swim program funded by YUSA and CDC grants; the spring session will begin next week with 24 Edison Elementary participants, and last year 112 children earned a green wristband certifying they can go in water above their heads. Board members asked about scheduling, bus transportation and creating a lifeguard certification pipeline; YMCA leaders said they partner with the Red Cross and have lifeguard instructors and a local PE teacher who now trains with the YMCA.
Rick Schneider, representing FEPS, described the foundation's role as a fiscal agent and private fundraising arm for district priorities. "We provide opportunities for students in Erie's public schools," Schneider said, describing mini-grants (21 classroom grant applications in the current cycle), an annual expense budget near $200,000 and assets over $300,000 with additional access to roughly $116,000. Schneider invited board members and the public to a May 21 awards presentation at Strong Vincent Auditorium.
Amanda Sisum, FEPS vice chair, described early scholarship-building efforts: a soft-launched scholarship fund at Erie Community Foundation has accumulated about $40,000; the foundation plans to reach a threshold before awarding meaningful scholarships. FEPS also described acting as a fiscal agent for boosters, securing Erie Gives and local grants, and being an approved EITC organization for career-pathway funding.
Board members asked how the foundation handles restricted funds, how to better publicize available services, and whether FEPS would consider staffing options to expand capacity. FEPS said it remains an all-volunteer board exploring staffing to grow its impact.
Directors encouraged greater coordination between the district, FEPS and community providers to ensure programs reach students equitably and to avoid duplication across providers.
