The Olympic Peninsula YMCA announced last week the organization has opened the process for receiving YMCA Spirit of Team Watson Memorial Grant applications.
The Spirit of Team Award seeks to support Olympic Peninsula youth leaders, teachers and those who are engaged in developing programs or projects for middle school students.
Individuals who have a program or project idea that upholds the ideals of the Y and promotes team building, encourages inclusion or fosters good communication are encouraged to apply.
Interested applicants can find more information and the application on the Olympic Peninsula YMCA website at www.olympicpeninsulaymca.org/spiritofteamgrant.
Additionally, community members are invited to provide a donation to sustain the fund.
In 2018, teachers Dan Lieberman and Brenda Manson were collectively awarded $2,500 in grant funds to carry forth their project ideas to promote team-building, encourage inclusion and foster better communication among eighth-grade students at Stevens Middle School in Port Angeles.
Individuals can learn more about the fund and grant by visiting the Olympic Peninsula YMCA website at www.olympic peninsulaymca.org or by calling 360-452-9244.
Grant background
The grant was developed to honor the legacy of Sequim resident Dennis Watson who died in December 2016 from cancer. YMCA representatives say Watson was deeply committed to the success of young people in the community and devoted nearly 20 years to the YMCA as a board member, volunteer and financial supporter.
During his time with the YMCA, Watson led the charge for the YMCA Middle School Program T.E.A.M devoted to helping eighth-graders improve their communication and team-building skills, increase their leadership and grow as more compassionate individuals.
Upon Watson’s passing, a team of former co-workers, YMCA teen program alumni, friends, family and current YMCA staffers banded together to create the Watson Memorial Fund and Grant.
“As a committee, we have been honored to carry on his legacy and commitment to youth programming on the Olympic Peninsula,” committee member Trudy Robbins said.
“For those who witnessed Dennis around kids, you know it was his passion. He could break the ice with even the most apprehensive teens, and he did so with humor and a sense of inclusion. It has been a privilege to support this initiative from the idea phase to project implementation.”
Christine Loewe, Grant Committee Chair and former YMCA Teen Program Director, added, “We are proud to carry Dennis’s work forward and to help the fund grow in the coming years.
“Having partnered with Dennis to connect with thousands of young people from our local communities, I know he made a difference in the lives of so many. This grant gives community members the opportunity to take part in creating much needed new opportunities for local teens and in particular if gives former Y teen program participants the opportunity to pay it forward.”
