Celebrating generosity: Two Rivers YMCA
“The Quad Cities Community Foundation doesn’t just provide funding support,” Program Executive Jeff Cornelius at Two Rivers YMCA, says. “They provide leadership—at the table and around the community.”
One in five kids in the Quad Cities is food insecure—which has a ripple effect on a child’s ability to study, develop, and grow. “This was an issue we had to tackle, and we couldn’t do it without community partners,” Jeff says.
Two Rivers YMCA came together with the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley with a goal of dramatically reducing hunger and increasing health and well-being in the Quad Cities. Yes, it would take funding to make it happen—and collaborative community leadership to transform the lives of the kids and families they serve.
“The Community Foundation was one of the first to step up and say, ‘we can be part of the solution.’ Their leadership and expertise guided us in developing processes that have ensured this program has been successful.”
Today, the Nourish Program provides between 1,500-2,100 meals per day (yes, per day!) to children in Rock Island County. “It’s a matter of a rising tide lifting all boats,” Jeff adds. “We can only succeed when we all come together.”
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Knowledge Sharing
We offer opportunities for donors, community and nonprofits to share knowledge and expertise that strengthens the nonprofit sector, as well as the public and private sector.
Disaster Recovery
Whether a historic flood or a global pandemic, our team participates in response and recovery efforts, from activating the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund to guiding long-term recovery plans in coordination with Disaster Ready Quad Cities.
Regional Vision
We believe a cool, creative, connected, and prosperous Quad Cities can transform our bi-state region. Our team is proud to lead initiatives within the regional vision that move this community’s vision forward.
Youth Philanthropy
We know that anyone can be a philanthropist. We proudly partner with area teenagers to inspire generosity, develop a grant program, and learn about community issues through our Teens for Tomorrow Program.