Local non-profit proposes youth resources grant
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The “Character Does Matter” Program provide volunteers that help teach youth life skills to become successful individuals at schools around Yuma like Cibola High School.
“The program talks about positive psychology, character strengths, you know different life skills really to help youth be all around more resilient, capable, and successful individuals,” says Dale Dumo, Travis Manion Foundation Veteran Youth Mentor.
The Travis Manion Foundation’s (TMF) mission is to empower Veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations.
According to the TMF website, more than one in three young people report they have never had a positive role model or mentor.
The CDM program helps to fix that problem.
Dumo says, “We want to be a positive source, not only for the youth, but set the example for everyone.”
The Yuma Chapter of TMF is requesting money from the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) to help provide free resources to the yuma youth.
“Books, supplies, things that we can give to them, you know beef up our ability to you know to do our youth engagement and mentorship. TMF is only so many limited budgets for local programs, so you know trying to look for other ways to collaborate, partner with other organizations, and look for these grants that way we can provide these resources for free,” says Dumo.
The Yuma Chapter of TMF will also be hosting a Back-to-School Success Workshop, where youth can receive free resources after the event on August 2, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at The Lab, on Avenue B near 32nd Street.