The Kenosha YMCA received a $50,000 contribution from Eli Lilly and Company to support The YMCA Teen Innovation & Workforce Development Initiative, helping the Y deepen its impact on local teens through expanded innovation, leadership, academic support, technology access, and workforce-readiness programming.
The Lilly contribution will support the YMCA’s growing teen innovation and workforce development efforts, including the creation of an integrated teen department that connects Teen Achievers, the Teen Tech Space Powered by Jockey, STEM Works, our VEX Robotics partnership, workforce-readiness programming, leadership development, tutoring, social-emotional learning, and post-secondary pathway exploration.
This new support builds on the strong foundation created through the Kenosha YMCA Teen Achievers program and the Teen Tech Space, which has now been open for two years at the Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy. Jockey’s early and ongoing investment helped make it possible for the YMCA to establish a dedicated technology-rich space where teens can explore STEM, digital media, robotics, 3D design, creative problem-solving, and future career pathways.
“Lilly’s contribution, enables us to take the next important step in expanding our teen programming and creating a more connected and intentional Teen Department that brings our teen programs together under one stronger framework,” said Cindy Altergott, CEO of the Kenosha YMCA. “We are truly grateful for their support.”
The Kenosha YMCA has promoted Devin Johnson to serve as Teen Director, a newly created leadership role that will oversee current and future teen programming. This structure is designed to help students move more seamlessly across YMCA offerings and access a broader range of academic, social-emotional, technology, leadership, and career-connected opportunities.
The program has shown tangible education and workforce outcomes. YMCA teen participants achieved milestones including an internship through Youth Employment in the Arts, acceptance into the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, high school diploma completion, STEM Works certifications through Gateway Technical College, and receipt of a Mahone Foundation scholarship.
“At the Y, we know that teens need more than one program or one opportunity,” said Devin Johnson, Teen Director of the Kenosha YMCA. “They need a pathway. They need caring adults, academic support, technology access, leadership opportunities, and real connections to college and career possibilities. Lilly’s support allows us to deepen our reach and build a stronger teen department around that foundation.”
The YMCA’s expanded teen initiative will create a connected youth-to-career continuum that begins with academic and social-emotional support and progresses into STEM exploration, credentialing, leadership development, and workforce readiness. Programming will include summer and school-year opportunities such as robotics, 3D printing, digital design, STEM Works, Geek Squad Academy, tutoring, Second Step social-emotional learning curriculum, DESSA assessment, teen engagement events, and employer-connected learning experiences.
About the Kenosha YMCA
The Kenosha YMCA is a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. For nearly a century, the Y has served Kenosha County by providing programs and services that support children, families, adults, and seniors. Through membership, youth programs, aquatics, wellness, community outreach, teen initiatives, and financial assistance, the Kenosha YMCA works to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We’ve been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe.
