Programs: Youth development- afterschool childcare & summer camp: parents desire a safe environment in which children can learn practical and social skills and develop positive values. Kids want to exert energy, discover who they are and what they can achieve, and be accepted among each other. The y meets both of these desires by providing fun, active and intentional programs which cultivate the values, skills, and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. ---the central focus of all ymca youth programs is to foster growth and development in children and in their parents and families. The y's educational enrichment programs help parents prepare their children for the future by providing them a values-based, high quality foundation for positive growth. After-school programs give children a chance to become more self-reliant, develop relationships, gain autonomy, and enhance and enrich their civic and academic leadership skills. Parents play an important role in policy and program decisions. In many instances, ymca childcare and after-school programs allow parents to remain gainfully employed, knowing their children are thriving in secure, supportive, supervised environments. For parents who cannot afford the full fee, care is provided on a sliding fee scale, based on need. Camping programs provide an exciting, safe community for young people to explore the outdoors, build self-confidence, develop interpersonal skills, and make lasting friendships and memories. Through a variety of activities and with a focus on the natural surroundings, ymca camping promotes spiritual awareness, mental, development, physical well-being, social growth, and a respect for the environment. Ymca camp programs help working parents, provide their children with safe places to go during the summertime. Fees are offered on a below cost basis to parents unable to afford full camp costs. Most camp counselors are former campers who often decline alternative higher-paying jobs to impact a child's life and become role models for younger campers. For many, it is the teen's first job. Many campers remember their summer camp counselors, friends, and the life lessons they experienced at camp for many years to come.
healthy living: the y is a community with an everyday mission to help individuals achieve a balance of spirit, mind and body and ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and connect. We help people develop the skills and relationships they need to be healthy, confident, and connected to others. Adults want to learn more, do more, and live more healthily. Through collaborations with nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and others, the y fosters health and well-being among people of all ages, brings people together to pursue passions old and new, and provides mutual support for everyone in our neighborhoods. ---the y encourages good health and fosters connections through physical activity and exercise proper nutrition, chronic disease and stress management, health education, sports, swim programs, and shared interests. Older adults come to the y to remain active, to rehabilitate after illness, injury or surgery, and to find quality time for social interaction.
early childhood education: the family y started a head start program in 2015. The head start program is a federally funded program that provides comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families. Head start promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and their families.
health and wellness: well-being means a healthy body, mind and spirit. In addition to the seven fitness centers operated at our local facilities, members can choose from more than 125 weekly group fitness classes. There is a class for every fitness level, including classes for those with physical disabilities and for children as young as 5 years old. Classes are designed to promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices as a way of maintaining good health, reducing heart disease risk factors, and enjoying a high quality of life. Unlimited use of the fitness centers and classes is included with our membership fee. For those members who prefer to have assistance with their workouts, the fee-based activate america program provides one-on-one fitness coaching. As with all of our programs with fees, financial assistance is available for those who are unable to afford the full fee.