ENC’s A Cappella, Alumni choir, and Chamber Singers, directed by ENC’s Associate professors Dr. Timothy Shetler and Dr. Kevin Smith, raised over $1,000 for the Germantown Neighborhood Center (YMCA) on Thursday, April 27. Every year, the ENC Music Department choirs perform a benefit concert with a chosen organization to receive the funds it raises, and the Germantown center was honored with this year’s concert’s “Love Offering.”
Established in 1982, the Germantown Neighborhood Center provides a variety of services, resources, and programs for families in need; mainly families of low-income and single parent households. The Germantown Neighborhood Center is located in one of Quincy’s largest public housing developments. Germantown’s goal is to break the cycle of generational poverty by providing hope, reassurance, and the support needed to children who lack positive influences in their lives.
Germantown Neighborhood Center works in support with the South Shore YMCA to provide youth programs, women’s programs, and childcare support. The GNC also works with the food pantry to make sure that families do not go hungry. During the holidays they work with the Holiday Assistance program to help reduce stress for families who are undergoing a financial crises.
During the concert, ENC presented a video to show some of the resources that GNC provides, followed by a few words of thanks for donations by Youth and Family Director, Chris James. Rev. Mat Thomas of the Bethel Church of the Nazarene and ENC’s Dr. Larry Bollinger also spoke during the event, thanking those who donated for their generosity.