Franklin Pierce Schools — In anticipation of needing to find a replacement after school program for the 2012-2013 school year, Ford Middle School administrators set about to find a program and corresponding funding to maintain an after school opportunity for students.

This afternoon, Principal Heather Renner opened up an envelope from the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation to find a check in the amount of $10,000 for this year’s after school program. Renner and staff had applied for the funds in the spring and had assumed they did not receive the award. “It was a pleasant surprise to see the check,” reported Renner. “We will put the money to great use — providing an after school program focused on academics, leadership, and healthy activities for our participating students,” she said.

Ford made the decision to proceed forward with adopting an after school program provided by the YMCA of Tacoma and Pierce County. YMCA’s program is consistent with the funding premises of the grant money, which was aimed at empowering youth and reducing youth violence in the community.