Charlotte N.C. (Sept. 25, 2018) — Social-emotional learning (SEL) company Aperture Education was designated a National Preferred Vendor for YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) after applying through YMCA Shared Services Inc., an independent, non-profit arm of the Y-USA. YMCA Shared Services Inc. vets applicants and selects vendors “that have quality products and services, highly competitive pricing, good customer service and a sincere appreciation for the YMCA mission and communities we serve,” according to its website. Y-USA partner sites work with YMCA Shared Services Inc. to find vendors that fit their needs.
Aperture already has longstanding partnerships with many individual Y-USA after-school sites. The sites use Aperture’s DESSA Comprehensive SEL System to identify students’ social-emotional strengths and areas in which they may need additional support.
“We’ve worked with more than 200 sites in the YMCA network over the years to provide data analysis, technical support, and research design and analysis to support the YMCA’s mission of Youth Development,” said Jessica Adamson, CEO of Aperture Education. “We are proud to be selected a Y-USA National Preferred Vendor and look forward to continuing to support the social and emotional needs of the children served by the YMCA.”
Y-USA supports youth through programs and partnerships that advance students’ academic, physical and social-emotional growth. Aperture Education supports educators, administrators and out-of-school-time organizations in implementing social and emotional learning programs within their organizations.
“Aperture Education’s mission aligns with our youth development goal of providing support for a young person’s unique youth development journey through holistic programming. Social-emotional learning helps youth develop the skills that will set them up for lifelong success,” said Tasha Johnson, Ph.D. Senior Director, Character Development Learning Institute at Y-USA. “As the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to helping people and communities learn, grow and thrive, our commitment to social-emotional learning helps us nurture the potential of every young person to be better learners, citizens and community members.”
About Aperture Education
Aperture Education specializes in social and emotional learning (SEL) solutions. Our flagship product, the DESSA Comprehensive SEL System, allows educators to measure, strengthen, and support social-emotional competence in youth in grades K-12. The DESSA System includes a suite of strength-based assessments, a universal screener that can be administered in less than a minute, and growth strategies and foundational practices to strengthen social and emotional competence. The DESSA System is lauded by researchers because it meets high standards for reliability and validity and is appreciated by educators for its ability to easily and quickly identify each student’s personal SEL strengths and provide practical supports that result in improved student outcomes. For more information, go to www.ApertureEd.com.
About YMCA of the USA
The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children - regardless of age, income or background - to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. ymca.net
