Grant Program Reports Board Member

Mark Tibbetts, Marauders Board Chair reports that some of the biggest challenges the Marauder /swim Club face revolve around pool space and time that seems to decrease as the program grows. Additionally the cost of joining the club has been a barrier for some families. To help offset the costs, we apply for grants, conduct fundraising campaigns and seek sponsorships. This year, our Summer and Fall/Winter grants from the Bennington Sports Foundation were a big help.  They enabled us to increase our ability to provide high-level swimming instruction at the Learn-to-swim and competitive levels for our youth.

Even more exciting, we also had a record number of swimmers eligible to attend the Silver Championships this past weekend, and of those, 13 qualified for the Gold Championships in two weeks.  Qualifying for the Gold cuts in any stroke is extremely difficult, and our team has been identified as one of the up-and-coming programs in the NY League we represent. Tibbetts reported that, “Much of the success is due to the Bennington Sports Foundation.  14 of our swimmers, ranging in age from 6 to 18, would not have participated without this Grant.  Moreover, 3 of the 14 swimmers qualified for Gold cuts, which is unbelievable!. We  are happy to report that those participants who have been awarded scholarships will continue to swim.  We look forward to our Spring/Summer program and intend to apply for another grant which will make it possible for our program to continue to grow.”

Deshawn Hamlet, Director of Battle for the Future basketball program knows kids want to participate, but often can’t.  With financial assistance from the BSF, hisprogram was able to reach out and pay enrollment fees and provide transportation for nine children in their summer programs and were able to extend resources for the fall programs, as well.  About the new program, Hamlet said “I work with kids every day, so I know how important sports can be for their health and development. I also know kids who could really benefit by being in our program but have neither the money nor transportation to make that happen.  I’m so grateful for the Bennington Sports Foundation because they are providing the resources allowing me to bring in more kids. This is a win-win for Battle of the Future Basketball and for the kids and their families who are now able to be involved.”

Kayla Becker, Director of the Bennington BFYMCA, welcomed the opportunity to think out of the box to find new kids for YMCA programs. The summer camp at the Bennington YMCA has seen tremendous growth over the past several years, but an ongoing issue is how to keep teens involved when they age out of camp. With assistance from the BSF, Kayla increased their leadership-in-training program, offering teens leadership and mentorship opportunities among the campers and new relationships with peers and counselors. To keep the youth leaders coming to the YMCA once school began in September, the YMCA offers meals after school to address food insecurity and to engage the teens in developing a youth center. In total, 24 new children benefitted from these programs and their participation is ongoing. Ms. Becker said “We’re so glad the BSF was created. It’s providing funding so we can attract new kids to get involved and stay involved in our programs.”