The Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC), a program focused on improving the lives of underprivileged youths, received a generous donation from Waste Management (WM) this year. The donation included 175 backpacks filled with school supplies to help students gear up for the upcoming school year.
This marks the eighth consecutive year that WM has donated backpacks to GYAC campers.
“For the eighth consecutive year WM has donated backpacks to our campers,” said Curtis Webb, Director of Youth Programs at GYAC. “They coordinated with us to ensure every single registered camper received school supplies for the upcoming school year. We are beyond grateful for our continued partnership with our local WM team.”
Debbie Perez, Senior Account Executive at WM, said that giving back to the community is a core value for the company. “At WM we are focused on making a difference in the communities we service,” said Perez. “It is important to us to continue our collaboration with GYAC and provide local youth with new school supplies before the new school year. We look forward to this event every July!”
The GYAC’s mission is to empower youths and adults by fostering higher high school and college graduation rates among low-income families. They also promote parental involvement and strive to boost the self-esteem of every individual they serve.
The Story of GYAC
The Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC) began in 1998 with a singular mission: to improve graduation rates for African American students in the Gifford community. Starting as a small center with just two staff members, GYAC has grown and adapted based on the community’s needs, transforming into a thriving campus with classrooms, computer labs, an outdoor area, and even a gymnasium.
Academic achievement has always been a core focus for GYAC. Their dedication has played a critical role in raising the graduation rate of Indian River County’s African American population from a mere 23% in 1998 to over 90% today – a remarkable accomplishment.
Six core values – Respect, Hope, Perseverance, Hard Work, Inclusivity, and Collaboration – guide everything GYAC does. By fostering accountability among students, parents, and staff, they’ve ensured underserved populations in the county have the resources they need to succeed.
Catering to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, GYAC’s After School Education program offers a comprehensive package. Students receive homework help, tutoring, cultural enrichment activities, recreational opportunities, and character development programs.
Thanks to a strong partnership with the School District of Indian River County, students are transported directly from their schools to GYAC after the final bell. Following a light snack and some playtime, they transition seamlessly to classrooms for academic support.
