The Sallie Mae Fund, the philanthropic arm of Sallie Mae—the nation’s saving, planning and paying for college company—today announced a $15,000 grant to the YMCA of Delaware to support the Black Achievers Program and Teen Leadership Programs at the Central and Walnut street branches of the YMCA in Wilmington.

“We are grateful to the Sallie Mae Fund for their donation to the YMCA’s Black Achievers Program and the Teen Leadership Programs at the Central and Walnut Street branches,” said Deborah Bagatta-Bowles, Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of Delaware. “Both programs exemplify the Y’s commitment to strengthening our youth with education, training, community and guidance. The Black Achievers program, to date, has demonstrated tremendous success with 95 percent of the graduating Black Achievers entering college each year. We look forward to a continued partnership with Sallie Mae and The Sallie Mae Fund.”

Launched in 1967, the Black Achievers Program is a college preparatory and career awareness program designed for disadvantaged youth to increase college enrollment. It pairs minority high school youth with successful adult achievers who, through volunteer service, serve as mentors and role models providing educational, cultural and career guidance. The YMCA’s Teen Leadership Programs also offers mentoring sessions on weekday afternoons with adult volunteer leaders—including Sallie Mae employees—to explore and learn about various career fields and opportunities. The Leaders Clubs also serve as a recruiting program for future Y professionals.

“The Sallie Mae Fund is committed to supporting programs that help our youth prepare for and access higher education,” said Raymond Quinlan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sallie Mae. “We are proud to work with organizations in our Delaware community, such as the YMCA, that give young adults the tools they need to be successful both in and out of the classroom.”

The YMCA of Delaware is an association that strives to cultivate the human potential, self-esteem and dignity of all people. For more information, please visit www.ymcade.org/.

Sallie Mae has nearly 600 employees at its corporate headquarters in Newark, Delaware and has a 40-year history of helping families save, plan and pay responsibly for college. For more information, visit www.salliemae.com.

The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, achieves its mission – to increase college access for America’s students – by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education. The Sallie Mae Fund also supports employee volunteerism and community service in the communities where Sallie Mae employees live and work. For more information, visit salliemaefund.org.

The YMCA of Delaware, Delaware’s largest non-profit organization, is committed to strengthening the citizens of Delaware through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With (7) seven branches statewide and an overnight camp and conference center in Worton, Maryland, the Y has developed long-standing relationships and a physical presence in Delaware so they can deliver lasting personal and social change. We are committed to serving everyone — regardless of age, income or background — to nurture the potential of every child, teen, and family while improving Delaware’s health and wellbeing and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. For more information, go toymcade.org.