Rutter’s, a chain of convenience stores and gas stations donated a $20,000 Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program check to the Schuylkill Young Entrepreneurs program in January.

This month, Rutter’s presented a check to YEA!, an approved Educational Improvement Organization. The organization is eligible to receive donations through the EITC program — a DCED-managed program that benefits students in public schools from K-12.

YEA! guides students through the process of fulfilling their very own American dream. By bridging the business and educational communities students are taught by trained instructors, and are exposed to guest lecturers, successful entrepreneurs and mentors. Over the course of the program, students:

• Brainstorm business ideas

• Write a business plan

• Interact with business professionals

• Attend field trips for a behind-the-scenes look at local businesses

• Pitch their business plan to local investors for startup funding and the opportunity to advance to regional and national competitions.

• Legally register their businesses

• Participate in a local YEA! Trade Show

• Launch and run their own business or social movement

• Graduate from the program with lifelong leadership and business skills.