Qwest Announces Support of YMCA Beacons

On Tuesday, February 3rd, Qwest presented the YMCA of Metro Minneapolis a check for $7,500.00 to support the YMCA Beacons sites in leadership development. Six Qwest employees, from all aspects of the business, including line workers and the main office, attended a short check ceremony and a went on an extensive tour of the Beacon sites.

Employees interacted with youth and shared their job responsibilities, years of service, and personal testimonies on the importance of graduating, looking for career opportunities in areas where your passion lies, and the importance of volunteering in your community.

Needless to say, Qwest and the Beacons students had a terrific and memorable time together!!

Thank you John Stanoch, President of Qwest and Minneapolis General Board member, for supporting community service and financially supporting the local community.

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!