Unique Partnership to Help YMCA Kids Reach for the Top

The Charles River YMCA and Top Banana Education Foundation have combined forces to offer quality after-school care bundled with the premier supplementary math program for the 2011-2012 school year. For the first time, members of the Charles River Y will now be able to enjoy both the Y's reliable and convenient after-school program and the extracurricular math instructions under one roof and at an affordable price.

"We are very excited to be able to add this important component to our after-school program," said Kathy Lozano, the Executive Director at Charles River YMCA. "Strong math skills are so critical for children's development," she added.

Through this partnership, YMCA participants will automatically enjoy a preferred rate of 10% off the yearly tuition for Top Banana classes. Members who qualify for financial aid at the Y will receive a similar assistance at Top Banana. Enrollment for the Top Banana math program will be integrated into that of the Y's, making the sign up quicker and easier. Charles River YMCA will also provide transportation from any of the Needham Schools to its Needham location and, when necessary, to and from the Top Banana facility at no additional cost.

"While there are many children who could benefit tremendously from the Top Banana program, it is often difficult for the parents and guardians to make the transportation arrangements to our facility during the after school hours. We are very excited to have the Charles River YMCA as a partner and look forward to serving children for whom our services were not previously accessible," said Alex Seriy, Founder and CEO of Top Banana.

About Charles River YMCS – Charles River YMCA is part of YMCA of Greater Boston located in Needham Center, MA. The Y is at the heart of strong communities in metro Boston and provides affordable and accessible programs to more than 100,000 children, teens, adults and seniors every year, thanks to nearly 1,500 employees, 640 summer teen employees and 1,000 dedicated volunteers. YMCA of Greater Boston serves more youth than any other non-profit in Boston with an array of diversion, leadership development, skill building and healthy lifestyle programs.

About Top Banana Education Foundation – Top Banana Education Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping children develop a life-long love of mathematics and to providing educators with powerful new tools to help students unleash their academic potential and achieve to the best of their abilities. Top Banana teaches math to young children by aligning the instructions in mathematics with the knowledge of how human memory works. Instead of memorizing facts, the emphasis is placed on the logic behind the mathematical operations. Capitalizing on the young children's curiosity and enthusiasm, the program turns studying numbers into playing with numbers, and produces superior results.

Contact:

Eric Rightor, Youth Development Director
Charles River YMCA
863 Great Plain Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
(781) 444-6400 ext. 236

Alex Seriy, Founder & CEO
Top Banana Education Foundation
56 Winchester Street
Newton, MA 02461
(888) 411-KIDS (5437)