YMCA Beacons - Making a Difference!

The YMCA Beacons Center at Anne Sullivan School in South Minneapolis served nearly 350 kids last year. Now in its fourth year, the after-school Center offers academic support, leadership development opportunities, arts, music, drama, dance, sports and recreation, and more.

One example of a young person whose life has been changed is Ladan (she is the staff member on the left of the picture in blue). She is a freshman at Edison High School who works part-time at Sullivan Beacons. The neat thing is that she is a "Beacons alumni," having gone through three years of Sullivan Beacons herself. (In fact, she has been involved at Sullivan Beacons every year it has been in existence).

Ladan is very excited about the program, and thankful for what it has done in her life. "Beacons helped me in so many ways," she says. "I was having a difficult time in middle school. My grades weren't good and I was getting in trouble. But then I joined Beacons. It was something to look forward to every day, and it really helped me turn things around. It kept me on track. And now I'm happy that I can come back and help the little kids enjoy Beacons, too."

The Spring Talent Show is a huge event at Sullivan Beacons. Many of the project areas are working now on what they'll present that day (such as Hip Hop Dance and the new drum group). The Talent Show will be held on March 27th.

Young people are able to participate in Beacons at not cost due to the generosity of our Y Partners donors and local foundations. YMCA Beacons is making a difference!