Catholic Youth Organization of Mercer County recently received a $5,000 grant from Christine’s Hope For Kids Foundation to support CYO’s pre-school, after school and summer programming efforts for children and youth in Mercer County.
“We are honored that Foundation founders, John and Jean Gianacaci, reached out to us,” said Tom Mladenetz, CYO executive director. “We are thrilled to continue to work with them to help their daughter Christine’s wonderful legacy live on.”
Christine’s Hope for Kids was established in 2010 in memory of Christine Gianacaci of Hopewell Township, a college student who died while on a mission trip with fellow Lynn University classmates in the 2010 earthquake that struck the region and collapsed the Hotel Montana in Port-Au-Prince, where the group was staying. Christine’s desire was to help underprivileged children to have an opportunity for a better life, so her parents began CHFK in her honor. The foundation works to communicate the idea that every person can make a difference by helping others and demonstrating kindness.
“It’s all about helping kids,” said Jean Gianacaci, “and I believe it’s the little things that make the biggest impact.”
Her husband John had been involved with CYO across the years in their sports programs, through St. Paul School and Parish, Princeton; both he and Jean were impressed with the organization. This is their third annual donation to CYO Mercer.
“We were just drawn to them; we think they do a wonderful job with the kids,” she said.
CYO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization that has operated childcare and youth programs for 65 years in Mercer County. What began as a provider of recreational activities for Catholic youth became a formally incorporated entity in 1961, and has evolved into a full service childcare and youth development program provider. Its mission is to provide affordable, quality educational and recreational services, rooted in Catholic tradition, that serves in a non-discriminatory manner, respecting the culture and faith of all.
CHFK has assisted CYO by sponsoring book fairs at its East State Street Center summer camp, making donated books from area public schools available for free to children at the center. They also help CYO connect with the NJ Golf Foundation in a “Golf in School” program, which provides golf lessons at CYO’s Broad Street Center summer camp.
Christine’s Hope works with other charitable organizations and schools throughout the Diocese of Trenton, including Trenton Catholic Academy, Homefront, Children’s Home Society, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, YMCA, Women Space, Urban Promise and more.
“I’m finding it hard to get out of Mercer County [with our assistance],” Jean said, “because the need here is so great. And we just do little things – we help pack pajama backs and backpacks, we fill Christmas stockings.”
The foundation receives funding through a large annual golf fundraiser, as well as private donations and grants.
“Somehow we make it work,” Jean said. “And we’re going to keep on doing it.”