GE Water Donates $25,000 to YWCA’s Local Homework Zone

In support of GE Water & Process Technologies’ continued charitable initiatives, GE’s global water team, located in Trevose, is donating $25,000 to the YWCA of Bucks County, according to a release.

On behalf of the team, Heiner Markhoff, GE Water & Process Technologies’ president and CEO, received this year’s GE Chairman’s Award for Business Turnaround. Presented by GE CEO Jeff Immelt, the team was recognized for its savvy business results and, as the recipient, Markhoff was given the opportunity to donate to the charity of his choice as part of the award. The $25,000 is being allocated to the YWCA’s Homework Zone program.

“We identified the YWCA as being an exceptional organization in Bucks County, providing educational and enriching experiences for children of the local community,” said Markhoff. “We’re excited to work specifically with the Homework Zone to develop a program that focuses on mentoring students in the areas of science and technology—ensuring a strong, lasting impact on students’ academic development—and in creating volunteer opportunities for our GE team members to become involved in the important work the YWCA does.”

The $25,000 check is being presented to the YWCA’s Homework Zone program on May 16, as part of a larger event where Markhoff and other GE Water & Process Technologies executives will engage Homework Zone participants and parents in an interactive session focusing on science and the world we live in.

“We are delighted to receive this generous donation from Heiner Markhoff on behalf of GE Water & Process Technologies,” said Lorna Michelson, Ph.D., executive director of YWCA Bucks County. “With more than 200 children active in the Homework Zone, this will help us provide students with an enhanced after-school program, and we look forward to continued collaboration with GE.”

Providing children in grades 1-6 with after-school programs that include assistance with homework and life skills training, the goal of the Homework Zone is to help students improve academic performance and increase interest in learning through the completion of daily homework assignments. Receiving the encouragement of highly-qualified teachers, students experience a structured environment that fosters learning, reading, consideration of peers and adults, appropriate behavioral skills and increased ability to meet developmental challenges and make good choices.

GE Water & Process Technologies continues to provide financial and intellectual resources to non- profit organizations. GE is poised to provide a minimum of $500,000 in charitable donations to community-based non-profit organizations throughout 2011.

The YWCA Bucks County is a non-profit organization serving women, children and families since 1954. The mission of the YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The YWCA provides a wide and comprehensive array of educational programming to disadvantaged and vulnerable populations of Bucks County directly in their own neighborhoods and schools.