ECMC Foundation Contributes $10,000 to Virginia Commonwealth University's Mary and Frances Youth Center

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ECMC Foundation continues its longstanding commitment of promoting college access in the Richmond community by contributing $10,000 to the Mary and Frances Youth Center to support educational and developmental programming for Richmond city students. This brings a total of over $40,000 ECMC Foundation has donated to support the work of providing quality programming to Richmond's youth.

ECMC Foundation runs a college access center called The College Place at the Mary and Frances Youth Center on the Virginia Commonwealth University campus. The College Place helps prospective college students navigate the college admissions process. The College Place offers workshops and community events, assistance with admissions and financial aid applications, Internet access, a library, and advisers who help students understand the maze of financial aid options at postsecondary institutions. All services are free to users.

"This needed funding will support the daily operations and external costs of the Mary and Frances Youth Center. In addition, The College Place provides great programming for our elementary students and helps them dream about their potential," said Tina Carter, director of Lobs & Lessons, located in the Mary and Frances Youth Center. Lobs & Lessons endeavors to expose underserved elementary and middle school youth to the merits of higher education.

"The College Place is fortunate to be located in the Mary and Frances Youth Center. Being on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University offers many of our students a quick peek into life on a college campus," said Amanda Bate, director, The College Place.

Visit The College Place at the Mary and Frances Youth Center on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, 120 South Linden Street, Richmond, VA, 23284. For more information, email [email protected], visit the website at www.ecmcfoundation.org, or call toll-free at 1-866-ECMC-TCP (326-2827).

ECMC Foundation sponsors three other college access centers in Woodbridge, Virginia, Bend, Oregon and Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The College Place also serves students and parents nationwide through a toll-free phone number: 1-866-ECMC-TCP (326-2827). All services are free.

About ECMC Foundation

ECMC Foundation helps people of all ages further their education goals, particularly low-income individuals, as well as those who may be the first member of their family to have an opportunity to attend college. Our innovative outreach programs focus on college access, retention and success. Through partnerships with government agencies, educational institutions and community organizations, ECMC Foundation is able to make the dream of college a reality for those individuals who may not otherwise have an opportunity to pursue higher education. For more information, visit www.ecmcfoundation.org. ECMC Foundation is funded by ECMC Group.

SOURCE ECMC Foundation