Investing in kids and strengthening communities

Through its Ready for School community partnership, Raymond James is helping the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA meet critical needs across Tampa Bay. Beyond wellness centers and youth sports, the YMCA’s mission encompasses so much more.

“It's about strengthening the foundation of our community,” says Director of Stewardship & Grants Amber Carpenter. The YMCA’s approach might look a little different from one neighborhood to the next, but at the heart, it’s about creating opportunities and delivering support where it matters most.

Setting students up for success

While the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA’s impact spans all ages and aspects of life, the multiyear Ready for School grant it received from Raymond James has already proved beneficial for its Y Reads program and Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School partnership specifically.

Y Reads, an after-school literacy and mentoring program for at-risk children in kindergarten through third grade, helps students build foundational reading skills and increase self-confidence.

Raymond James’ support enabled the YMCA to add a full-time staff member to the Y Reads program, helping more students reach reading proficiency in three years and the lowest number held back. “That’s life-changing for these kids,” Carpenter notes.

Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School, a Community Partnership School certified by the College of Community Innovation and Education from the University of Central Florida, provides integrated academic, health and social services for students and their families. Before the YMCA stepped in, Sulphur Springs was one of the most vulnerable areas in the Tampa Bay area. Chief Financial Officer, PCG at Raymond James Financial and Urban Advisory Board Member of the YMCA, Brock Guice, emphasizes the mission, “The goal is to make sure these kids have the basics – food, clothes, school supplies, reading support – so they can be ready to learn. That’s at the heart of what we’re doing.”

Through this partnership, the school offers resources such as free before- and after-school care, enrichment programs, a food pantry, clothing closet, access to a laundry facility, wellness clinic, cleaning supplies, personal care and hygiene items, and school supplies. YMCA staff and volunteers are embedded on-site to provide these services. Carpenter adds, “Raymond James’ investment means kids can come to school clean, fed and ready to learn. That’s what real community impact looks like.”
And there’s proof the program is working. Students enrolled in YMCA programs at Sulphur Springs are doing better than their peers in attendance, academic progress and grade level achievement

Relying on community partners

The YMCA has ambitious goals and the growing community needs are greater than ever. “We can’t do it alone,” Carpenter says. “Our mission is big, and partnerships with companies like Raymond James truly multiply our impact.”

Raymond James has long prioritized community involvement. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is just one of 11 Ready for School organizations that are making a difference in students’ lives across Tampa Bay. Guice emphasizes, “It’s important to be involved because the impact is real. These programs change the lives of the kids who need that little extra boost to help them be successful.”

The commitment spans three years and offers flexibility in how funds are allocated. The YMCA can make adjustments to the program based on need and implement sustainable practices to ensure it can continue to serve this population. Carpenter says trust and dignity are important; the families need to know the YMCA is there to support them for the long-term. “Our mission continues to evolve with the community, but the foundation and the purpose remain the same. It's making sure that the YMCA remains a place where everybody can grow, belong and thrive.”

And Raymond James is answering the call.

“We have a long history of engaging associates not just financially, but by being physically present through volunteering. It’s part of the culture here,” Guice says. “The YMCA is a way to diversify how we invest in our charitable efforts. They touch everything – youth development, food access, health programs – so every dollar goes a long way.”