YMCA Gonzales raises $345,000 for afterschool program at Gonzales Elementary

It was a day of celebration at Gonzales Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 12, as major donors, stakeholders and members of the Gonzales YMCA board of directors came together to celebrate the donation of some $345,000 to create a new afterschool program in Gonzales for children in grades 1-3.

YMCA Gonzales President Connie Kacir said the organization is thrilled to partner with Gonzales Independent School District and to offer a program that could help change the lives of students for generations to come.

“We all know that the YMCA is here to focus on improving literacy and academic excellence. We saw a need in Gonzales to partner with the school district and work together with the district focused on our first through third graders,” Kacir said.

“Data shows that third grade reading levels, determine graduation rates and determine the number of prisons that are built. If we don't focus on those young people today, we lose that battle. By increasing academic excellence and literacy in a community. We're able to decrease poverty levels. We’re able to increase the hourly wage and earnings of these individuals. We’re able to see more development and economic development because now we reach these children and we have a skilled and ready workforce in Gonzales.”

Kacir said three major donors stepped up to help fund the program in addition to a $150,000 pledge from the Victoria YMCA over three years. Darren Schauer, general manager at GVEC, and his board pledged $90,000, or $30,000 per year for the first three years, while Ross Hendershot, Chief Operating Officer/EVP of Sage Capital Bank, pledged $75,000, or $7,500 per year for a 10-year period.

Finally, the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Gonzales pledged $30,000, or $10,000 per year with Janna Christian and Kasey Floyd representing that organization.

“We talked about the YMCA, and how it benefits our students in mind, body and spirit. The YMCA’s purpose is the same today as it was 179 years ago when it started. It's built on Christian principles,” Kacir said. “And though church and state may prevent Jesus being talked about in these walls during the school day, those walls come down at 3:30 (p.m.) when the YMCA program starts.”

The new executive director for the Gonzales YMCA is Lauren Harris, who will oversee the afterschool enrichment program for children in first through third grades. Harris is familiar to Gonzales parents because she also is the owner and artistic director for Studio E Dance.

YMCA board members and ex-officio members include Ryan Arrellano, the director of THRIVE Healthplex at Gonzales Healthcare Systems; Justin Schwausch, a Gonzales ISD board member and GVEC employee; Ryan Lee, an employee at Sage Capital Bank and member of the Gonzales EDC; Bud Oliver, CEO of the Victoria YMCA, which sponsors the Gonzales YMCA; Bruce Maulding, community executive, Live Oak District of Boy Scouts of America; Vince Ortiz, director of Victoria College’s Gonzales Center; Ralph Camarillo, Gonzales parks director; Leah Glass, HR director at GVEC; local attorney Robert Bland; Janna Christian of Episcopal Church of the Messiah; and Dr. John Thomas, family physician at Gonzales Healthcare Systems.

Kacir also recognized the work of Gonzales Elementary Principal Nikki Nerada, who will help see that children are assessed before they start taking part in the afterschool program.

“We'll have a baseline for their academic achievement, and then we'll be able to report results at the end of the program,” Kacir said.

Gonzales ISD Superintendent Dr. Elmer Avellanada praised the partnership with the YMCA and how it dovetails into what the district wishes to accomplish.

“I was asked, ‘Why are you supporting this YMCA Gonzales partnership?’ And to me, it was very simple,” Avellanada said. “It's everything that Connie discussed. She's right. Prisons are built based on the reading literacy of third grade students. That's a shame, but that's also a fact.

“On top of that, this initiative is directly interrelated with our mission as a district. In Gonzales, we design meaningful experiences for our students, so that they can be inspired to make an impact beyond themselves. That's our mission in Gonzales ISD and this initiative was so easy to get behind because it does that work for us. It allows our students to have the resources academically, socially and spiritually, to become better students and to grow.”

Avellanada said the only mistake he made was underestimating Kacir’s ability to raise enough money for the program, which requires at least $250,000 in local investment. He said he was doubtful the program would come to be after his first meeting with Kacir, even with her unbridled enthusiasm and support.

“After our meeting was over, I said, ‘I don't know if we can get this done.’” he admitted. “I underestimated her. And I'm thankful that I was wrong. And I'm thankful that the resources are going to be provided to our students to grow and get better academically, socially and financially.”