MANCHESTER, NH— St. Mary’s Bank announced it recently donated $2,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua to help establish new educational initiatives for disadvantaged youth. Using a strategy called High Yield Learning Activities (HYLA), these programs reinforce literacy and help children use and expand classroom knowledge in fun and interesting ways, without stigma or pressure.

“St. Mary’s Bank has supported The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua for many years, because their important mission focuses on enabling the youth of the community to reach their potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens,” said Tom Champagne, Director of Community Outreach at St. Mary’s Bank. “We’re pleased to support these new HYLA programs, which provide interesting, constructive activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits and foster a safe environment where children can have fun and be themselves.”

The Club will offer three initiatives--Geo-Science Program, The Writer’s Guild and The Movie Critic--to between 150 and 200 participants, all of which incorporate HYLA in their delivery. Overall goals are to encourage literacy, enable members to practice academic subjects, strengthen vocabulary and develop confidence and pride in accomplishments.

Specifically, St. Mary’s donation will help the Club purchase equipment and supplies needed to enhance the quality of the programs. For example, the organization plans to purchase a projector and create a “rolling” movie library that can easily move from room to room and provide program flexibility.

“The disadvantaged socio-economic circumstances of our members often put them at risk of poor academic progress and failing in school,” said Norm Bouthilette, the Club’s Chief Executive Officer. “Children who are engaged after school in activities that use classroom knowledge and reinforce literacy improve their grades and school attendance. With this generous gift from St. Mary’s, we’ll be able to provide HYLA youth programs that focus on reading, writing, math and science without the pressures students often feel in the classroom.”

For more information on the programs and services offered by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, call 603-883.0523 or visit their Website at http://www.bgcn.com.