Daytona Beach, Fla. – Two of the area’s most visible institutions serving the community have joined forces to form a partnership they hope will benefit the area for years to come. Bethune-Cookman University and the Volusia Flagler Family YMCA Association will host signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a press conference at 4 p.m., Jan. 14 at the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation House.
The partnership will help to establish several initiatives, including a B-CU YMCA, family branches in the Daytona Beach community and internships for students.
B-CU and the YMCA will establish the B-CU Campus Y to support student development and community engagement at YMCA branches and the Daytona Beach community. Also, B-CU will encourage student support and leadership for the B-CU Campus Y initiatives.
“A Campus Y is not a facility in the traditional sense but rather a hub for community outreach and service.” said Teresa Rand, President and CEO of the Volusia/Flagler Family YMCA. It is another avenue for developing and connecting future leaders to the importance of service in their community. “BCU’s motto of “Enter to learn, depart to serve.” will be a fitting call to action for student involvement, and we enjoy a head start to that effort as BCU students are already participating in the YREADS! initiative at Turie T Small Elementary in the Midtown area of Daytona Beach.
B-CU President Dr. Edison Jackson, who serves on the Y Corporate Association Board of Directors, is also enthusiastic about the partnership. “The Volusia Flagler Family YMCA is a fixture in Volusia County. Their advances in the area of Youth Development are well documented and we look forward to our students benefiting from this partnership while serving the community in the tradition of Bethune-Cookman University.”
The signing ceremony will occur at 4 p.m. at the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation Building with a press conference immediately following at 4:30 p.m. at the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center Atrium, 698 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114.
For additional information, contact Mrs.Sharon Bostick-Isaac with B-CU at 386.481.2953 or bosticks@cookman.edu, or Kevin Kilian with the Y at 386.405-2844 or kkilian@vfymca.org
Institutional Advancement
Beverly James
Director of Communications
jamesb@cookman.edu
PH: 386-481-2991
FX: 386-481-2973
About Bethune Cookman University:
Founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) today sustains her legacy of faith, scholarship and service through its relationship with the United Methodist Church and its commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement. B-CU offers more than 40 degrees on its main campus and online college. Located in Daytona Beach, B-CU is one of three private, historically black colleges in the state of Florida. The institution boasts a diverse and international faculty and student body of more than 4,000. For more information, visit www.cookman.edu
