Dorchester County Family Ymca Inc

Programs: Membership - the dorchester county family ymca's mission is to strengthen the foundations of our community by nurturing and developing the potential of every child, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility in the community. Our programs and services focus on the wellness of the whole person: spirit, mind, and body and we weave the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility into the fabric of all we do. As part of our mission, the y makes a very special promise - that it is open and accessible to all regardless of race, religion, age, gender, or financial circumstance. Today, more than ever, financially struggling families need a helping hand to get back on their feet. They also need a place to belong and the support of those who care. Striving to breakdown economic barriers for families and to meet the health and social service challenges in our community, the y remains a second home for many, providing a safe place where inclusiveness is fostered, diversity is embraced, and where children and families can build relationships and find the support needed to build stronger families and communities for a better tomorrow. At the y, we believe that we have a duty to try to help where help is needed. We believe that with support, resources and guidance, people can improve their own lives and the lives of others. We are committed to making our programs and services open and accessible to all. We do this through our scholarship program which awards needs-based assistance for campers, financial assistance for members, and program subsidies to keep classes and health and wellness programs affordable for all. This enables many lower income and struggling middle class individuals, working families, and seniors the opportunity to participate in health and fitness opportunities, early education programming, child care or summer camp, or a safe, supervised place for their teens to go after school. After school programs - the dorchester county family ymca believes that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. In addition, we believe that kids need a safe, nurturing environment in which to learn, grow and thrive. Our before and after care child programs provide just such an environment. These programs enable working parents to go to work secure in knowing that their child is safe and being well cared for. For more than five years, the dcfy has partnered with the dorchester county public school system to deliver after school services to working families in our community. We are currently operating "aspire" (after school program for inspiration, recreation & education) on-site at warwick, choptank, maple, sandy hill and vienna elementary schools. This program operates after school, with a few before care sites as well as on days when the school is opened for teacher in-services but closed to students. The ymca's goal is to keep children safe, active and engaged during their after school hours by providing: " a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity;" a healthy snack;" 30 minutes of homework time and assistance; and," recreation and enrichment activities such as games, arts and crafts and ymca readers. Summer camp - the dorchester county family ymca's summer camp program is a safe, exciting place for young people to explore the outdoors, build self-esteem, develop interpersonal skills and make lasting friendships and memories. Our traditional summer camp provides healthy meals, educational enrichment, character-building activities and exercise opportunities to children of working parents seeking a safe, entertaining and affordable child care option. Our ymca camp abilities is a "camp within a camp" designed for special needs campers who, in order to be safe and successful, require smaller camper to staff ratios than what you would find in our typical camp. For the majority of the day, abilities campers will participate side by side with their typical peers in traditional camp activities such as arts and crafts, swimming and sports. Because of our specialized staff, they will have the opportunity to focus on social skills, individual goals and have an opportunity to take a break if necessary. In dorchester county, 66% of children live below the poverty level and receive free or reduced cost meals. By attending the summer camp program and accessing our scholarships, these children are being provided two healthy meals a day, as well as receiving quality care.