Mission: The mission of ozarks regional ymca is to promote judeo-christian values through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The ymca believes that no one should be denied programs or services due to the inability to pay; therefore,financial assistance is available to all who qualify, regardless of age, gender, religion, or ethnicity.
Programs: Healthy living: fitness, wellness & recreation programs promote judeo christian values through developing healthy minds, bodies, and spirits by offering classes for all ages, all levels and all interests including indoor excercise, outdoor sports, personal training, and massage therapy. Approximate number of program participants - 21,676 youth development: child care services and camp wakonda programs promote judeo christian values through developing healthy minds, bodies, and spirits by nurturing the potential of local children and teens by cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. The y is also a starting point for many youth to learn about becoming and staying active, and developing healthy habits. Approximate number of child care program participants - 7,653 approximate number of camp wakonda program participants - 432
I give to the United Way of the Ozarks and the Ozarks Regional YMCA because their partnership has impacted my teen daughter on a level I never could. She attended a residential summer camp in the summer of 2015 and came away transformed. Having been bullied in school for being too little and short, too outgoing/weird/loud, she struggled with self-confidence, drawing boundaries, and making friends. After a week at camp, she came away with strength, courage, and acceptance. She said for the first time she wasn’t picked on or bullied and people truly cared about, and liked her, for who she was. As a mom, I try to help her face adversity with courage and strength, but there are some places a mom cannot reach. Camp Wakonda, the staff and counselors, and other campers reached her and she came home a completely changed individual. To this day she uses words like “transformational”. She drew healthy relationship boundaries, cleaned up her friends, and embraced the quality, not quantity, of the friends she has. She has continued to share her story and impact others as well. I am thankful for the assistance we received to be able to send her to camp.
