The Owensboro Family YMCA is partnering with Estes Elementary School this summer to curb academic achievement gaps with literacy, enrichment and family engagement activities.

The program, dubbed Summer Learning Loss Prevention, was funded by a $13,500 YMCA of the USA startup grant this year, and officials with the youth development organization visited the school on Owensboro’s east end earlier this week to track development and implementation.

The summer learning project, underway in about 120 communities nationwide, targets underserved and impoverished areas by fostering partnerships between Title I-funded schools and local YMCA chapters.

Kelly Wise is a technical adviser for YMCA of the USA.

Many Estes Elementary School parents and guardians live in low-income housing, Jewell said.