The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is providing the Southeast Ventura County YMCA with a $32,812 grant to help support the YMCA's childcare programs in Simi, Conejo and Santa Rosa Valleys and in Moorpark.

Nationwide, the JCPenney Afterschool Fund is expected to help more than 20,000 children participate in safe, life-enriching childcare programs this year by contributing more than $9.25 million in grant money to organizations that provide care.

"With grants from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, at-risk children now have access to afterschool programs that will keep them safe and foster their academic, physical and social development," says Mike Theilmann, chairman of the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. The fund assists children who were currently not in afterschool programs or on the verge of leaving afterschool programs due to a lack of funds.

"We are grateful for JCPenney's commitment to our youth," says Rick Politte, president and CEO of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA. "The YMCA never turns away a child from any of our programs because of an inability to pay. The JCPenney contribution helps offset our costs."

Studies show that 14.3 million children in the United States are unsupervised after school between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day. Additionally, studies show that youth are at greater risk of involvement in crime, drug abuse and other destructive behaviors during these hours. To address this issue, JCPenney created the JCPenney Afterschool Fund in 2001, and together they have contributed more than $60 million to support the after school cause nationwide.

"Corporations such as JCPenney that step up to help our youth are to be commended," says Politte. "Although they are multi-million dollar businesses, they still feel a connection to the communities they serve and try to make a difference on a local level."

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA offers after school programs on elementary and middle school campuses through three of its branches: Simi Valley Family YMCA, Conejo Valley YMCA and the Triunfo YMCA. For further information about after school care, call the Southeast Ventura County YMCA at 805-497-3081.