CAHEC, a community investment organization based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina, has announced the completion of its 2026 Youth Leadership Initiative, which delivered educational resources and summer camp experiences to children in low-income families across its Southeast and Mid-Atlantic footprint. The initiative matters because it addresses a critical gap in summer learning and enrichment for vulnerable youth, leveraging partnerships to stretch limited resources and create lasting impact.
Nearly 300 youth 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 choose books based on their interests and reading levels, helping them build home libraries and stay engaged in learning beyond the classroom. Generous support from CAHEC community partners Bernard Robinson & Co., Center Street Capital Advisors, First Citizens, Harkins Foundation, Scott Insurance, Yardi, and Zeffert & Associates made these resources possible. These contributions are vital because they remove financial barriers that often prevent low-income children from accessing books and educational materials during the summer months.
Beyond books, the initiative sponsored 330 weeks of discounted summer camp opportunities for children from low-income families during summer 2026. CAHEC partnered with various YMCAs across its footprint to connect youth residents 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, and Urquhart Development made these camp weeks possible. The implications are significant: summer camp provides safe, structured environments that prevent learning loss, promote physical activity, and foster social skills—benefits that can alter developmental trajectories for children who might otherwise be left unsupervised during school breaks.
Stefanie Lee, Community Relations Manager at CAHEC, emphasized the power of collaboration: "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. 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!" This approach demonstrates how community investment organizations can amplify their impact by pooling resources and expertise with local businesses and nonprofits.
The Youth Leadership Initiative aligns with CAHEC's broader mission to provide housing and life-changing opportunities through low-income housing tax credits, historic tax credits, new markets tax credits, renewable energy credits, loan programs, wellness and education initiatives, affordable housing development, and property management services. By investing in youth, CAHEC is not only enhancing individual lives but also strengthening the social fabric of the communities it serves. The success of this year's initiative underscores the importance of sustained investment in the next generation, particularly as economic pressures continue to strain low-income families.
As CAHEC looks ahead, the model of partnership-driven, no-cost programming offers a replicable framework for other organizations seeking to make a difference. The initiative's focus on literacy, character development, and physical well-being reflects a holistic understanding of what children need to thrive. For more information about CAHEC's contributions to affordable housing and surrounding communities, visit CAHEC's website.
