When Jim Mitchell joined the YMCA of the North General Board in 1991, there was buzz about a brand-new Y program being developed called Beacons. The program vision was to partner with public schools to offer kids a safe place to go after school.
Jim recalled, “It wasn’t just a safe place to go – kids could get help with homework, do crafts or play sports — all with a good dose of leadership learning.”
Jim and the newly appointed Beacon’s director, Doris Baylor, visited with Minneapolis Public Schools to pitch the vision. It took some convincing, but enough principals said yes, and the program began. Soon after the launch, there were immediate results — kids wanted more Beacons! The program grew from elementary school to middle school, then naturally to high school — making it one of the Y’s greatest success stories according to Jim.
For 26 years and counting, the YMCA Beacons program has served over 125,000 students through high-quality educational, recreational, career and leadership development activities to improve academic, social, and life skills development of young people in low-income communities. Research shows that Beacons youth attend school more often and are better connected, graduating at a higher level than their peers not involved with Beacons. Nearly 70% of students enroll in a post-secondary program.
Within the last three years, the program expanded once more to Beacons Next Generation at Minneapolis College to ensure that students have continuity of support and community connections while pursuing post-secondary opportunities. Many Beacons participants have launched careers as social workers, architects and doctors, and you will also find program alums in leadership roles within the YMCA of the North
“Being involved at the Y has inspired me to help kids develop leadership skills to get up to the starting line with more advantages. They now have a better shot at being successful in this race of life.”
Jim Mitchell, a proud Beacons champion to this day, ensured the future of this program by establishing The Mitchell Family Endowment Fund for Beacons and Youth Development. The Mitchell family’s generosity will sustain the Y’s vision of more students crossing the finish line.
“New buildings don’t really float our boat,” Jim mentioned. “By establishing our family fund, we are creating opportunities for people to grow to the next level — whatever that might be. An endowment is an excellent way to do this. A legacy like this literally lives on forever and we know the Y will be good stewards of our money. They always have been.”