CAHEC, a community investment organization based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina, has successfully completed its 2026 Youth Leadership Initiative, providing educational resources and summer experiences to youth across its Southeast and Mid-Atlantic footprint. The initiative, which focuses on supporting children from low-income families, distributed books, school supplies, and learning games while also sponsoring summer camp opportunities.
As part of the program, nearly 300 youth participating in the YMCA of Richmond's summer camp program received age-appropriate books, essential school supplies, and learning games at no cost to their families. The summer book fair allowed campers to select books based on their interests and reading levels, helping them build at-home libraries and encouraging learning beyond the classroom.
The initiative's reach was made possible through generous support from CAHEC community partners, including Bernard Robinson & Co., Center Street Capital Advisors, First Citizens, Harkins Foundation, Scott Insurance, Yardi, and Zeffert & Associates. These contributions ensured that families could access books and educational materials without financial burden.
Beyond books and supplies, the Youth Leadership Initiative also supported personal development through summer camp opportunities for CAHEC youth residents. CAHEC partnered with various YMCAs throughout its footprint to connect youth with camps offering character-development activities, literacy instruction, athletics, and, in some cases, swimming lessons. Donations from Banc of California, First Bank, First Citizens, North State Bank, Mountain Housing Opportunities, Taft-Mills Group, Thomas and Amanda Boothby, Urquhart Development, and relationships with YMCAs across its footprint enabled CAHEC to sponsor 330 weeks of discounted summer camp opportunities for children from low-income families during summer 2026.
"We're honored to support these initiatives for the youth residents living in our properties and are grateful to have the support of so many of our partners," said Stefanie Lee, Community Relations Manager at CAHEC. "These strategic partnerships allow us to stretch every dollar further and serve more residents than we could through CAHEC alone – it's amazing what we can do when we come together to serve!"
The Youth Leadership Initiative reflects CAHEC's broader mission to create meaningful opportunities that support youth and strengthen communities. By collaborating with local organizations, YMCAs, and community-minded businesses, CAHEC expands the reach of its efforts to provide resources and experiences that can make a lasting difference for families. For more information about CAHEC's contributions to affordable housing and surrounding communities, visit CAHEC's website.
