Princeton NJ Non-Profit Press Releases

Princeton University Men’s Basketball Teams Up with Princeton Young Achievers to share in Book Club Discussion

Princeton University basketball player Chris Clement leads a group discussion of the book STAT with Princeton Young Achievers program participants at the Henry Pannell Learning Center.

Princeton, April 23, 2013 –   Members of the Princeton University Men’s Basketball Team have teamed up with the Y’s Princeton Young Achievers afterschool program to form a book club.   Together they selected the book “STAT: Standing Tall and Talented” by New York Knick Amar’e Stoudemire as the basis of their first group discussions.  Yesterday, PYA students at the Henry Pannell Learning Center and the Crimmins Learning Center hosted team members for their first official meeting.  The purpose of the book club is to promote a passion of reading and encourage youngsters to read more.  Copies of the book were donated by the team.   Facilitated by the players, the students sat together in small groups to share what they learned from the story, which tells the tale of a young boy whose experience mirrors that of the author who discovers his innate talent and has to overcome many obstacles to become the success he is today.  The books are all targeted for children aged 8+. When asked why he chose to tell his stories through novels targeted at children, the author said "I decided to write for children because although I am an avid reader now, I wish I had read more as a child. I hope that…we can creatively inspire a new generation to read."

“Our PYA students are some of the basketball team’s biggest fans, and they love it when they have the opportunity to be together with the players,” observed Mary Traub, the program’s education director, “And I know that having a chance to talk about this book with them will inspire our young readers to explore other books.  In fact, one of our students was so pleased with the first in the ‘STAT’ series that he went to the local library to read the others.” 

Celebrating its twentieth year, the Princeton Young Achievers program was founded in 1993 by the late Dr. Shirley Paris and other concerned citizens and educators to ensure that all children in town have access to homework support and critical resources to help them keep pace in the classroom.  The YMCA “adopted” PYA in 2011.  PYA continues to serve an average of 80 students at three learning centers that serve families living in subsidized housing communities daily throughout the school year.  The program is funded almost exclusively through financial and in kind contributions from individuals and foundations, and relies on the generosity of many to provide these important services.

The Princeton Family YMCA was founded in 1908, and today the YMCA Movement focuses on three areas: Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.   In addition to the Princeton Young Achievers program that serves children in grades K through 5, the Y offers the Y Scholars group mentoring program for youth in middle and high school and a variety of other youth programs – ranging from swim lessons, youth sports, full day early childhood education, and afterschool programs in Princeton and Lawrence Township.  “Nurturing the potential of kids and helping them grow and develop is central to the Y’s work locally and around the country,” Kate Bech, CEO of the Princeton Family YMCA, “we are committed to helping children practice values that will build their self-esteem and resilience and put them on a course for success.”

For volunteer opportunities or to make a contribution, please contact Denise Soto, Development and Communications Director, at 609-497-9622 x209 or dsoto@princetonymca.org.

About the Y

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.  Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.  Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. ymca.net