Ann Arbor Ymca

Causes: Human Services, Physical Fitness & Community Recreational Facilities, Sports, Young Mens or Womens Associations

Mission: To put our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility into practice through facilities and programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Our impact: the ann arbor ymca empowers all people to learn, grow and thrive. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the y nurtures the potential for every youth and teen, improves our communities halth and well-being and provides opportunities to give back to our neighbors.

Programs: Healthy living the ann arbor ymca helps improve the health and well being of the ann arbor community by bringing families together, fostering connections and encouraging good health through shared fitness, recreational and social activities. As a result, 24,230 individuals in the washtenaw county (the ann arbor and ypsilanti) community received the guidance and resources to achieve health in spirit, mind and body. As our nation struggles with an obesity crisis, families struggle with work/life balance issues and individuals search for personal fulfillment, the resources that the y provides are increasingly important. Our healthy living programs include adult group classes, team sports and recreation, and livestrong at the ymca, a free fitness and support program for cancer survivors. The y has a number of programs designed to fight chronic disease, particularly an evidenced based diabetes prevention program, and is committed to empowering our community to lead fuller lives. Y programs are accessible, affordable and open to all faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. In 2017, the ann arbor ymca provided $731,190 in financial assistance to individuals who would have faced economic barriers to participation.

youth development - camps. The ymca is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen. We believe that all children deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Our residential camp program, camp al-gon-quian on the shores of burt lake, mi, and day camp programs in ann arbor, ypsilanti and at camp birkett in dexter township, provide a safe community where young people explore, build self-esteem and interpersonal skills and make lasting friendships and memories. In 2017, the ann arbor ymca gave financial assistance to 374 children to attend summer camp who would not have otherwise had access due to financial constraints.

youth development - swim, sports and play. Children learn the lifetime value of staying physically fit through active play. Year-round youth sports, martial ways, gymnastics, swimming, and outreach programs help young people cultivate the skills, values and relationships that lead to positive behaviors and better health. The ann arbor ymca has partnered with a number of other community organizations to identify and respond to community needs. Ymca subsidized programs in ypsilanti, including after school sports and recreation and middle school healthy living programs as well as the free summer safety around water initiatives, are examples of how the ann arbor ymca strengthens community. Over 55 volunteers helped deliver these programs to the ypsilanti community, which involved 805 ypsilanti youth in 2017.

other program services - other program services include child care, teen education and leadership and youth volunteer programs. Y youth development programs give children and teens a safe place to belong, build confidence and learn positive behaviors. Child care: the ymca's naeyc-accredited early child care and after school programs provide a nurturing environment where children can learn, grow and develop social skills. These programs also reinforce the ymca values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility among children and their families. An additional element to y child care programs is the healthy eating physical activity (hepa) curriculum implemented to help reduce childhood obesity. The y makes it possible for families of all backgrounds and income levels to participate in our programs on a sliding fee scale. In 2016, 51 families received this financial support. At the y, we help teens set and achieve their goals. Through teen education and leadership programs, including the teen after school program, youth in government and leaders club, teens ages 11-17 have the opportunity to develop self-confidence and take an active role in strengthening their community. In 2017, over 120 teens participated in these education and leadership programs. Youth volunteer corps is a service learning program that empowers young people through extended volunteer service experiences. In 2017, 337 youth provided more than 8,705 hours of community service to 30 community agencies.