The Young Mens Christian Association Of The Capital Area

Programs: Youth program-childcare is the first chance the ymca has to care for its members. All ymca child and youth programs are tools for building succussful relationships between children and adults, whether those adults are parents, other caregivers, or ymca volunteers and staff members. Presently more than 31 different programs incorporate core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. With the encouragement of adults at the ymca, children of different backgrounds will have increased opportunities to gain these critical developmental assets:-support assets \ making connections between parents, extended family members, and non-related adults and youth. -constructive use of time \ ymca sponsored activities and supervised recreation provide opportunities for positive use of youth's time through after school programs, teen nights, and summer day camps. -commitment to learning \ tutoring and home assistance in after school programs develops a sense of commitment and a healthy perspective on learning, while nuturing all-important "mentor relationships. "-social and physical competencies \ arts programs and youth sports (where the ymca motto, "everybody plays, everybody wins" applies) helps develop skills that promote good decisions and a health outlook on competition. -positive identity \ community-related programming such as "youth and government" encourages adolecents to take on leadership roles while establishing a sense of self worth. In addition, creative venues and councils allowing young people to contribute their ideas are used to develop new programs, establish rules and guidelines and help plan youth events. -empowerment \ young people learn the importance of serving others through program-specific volunteerism and through out "leaders in training" and "councelors in training" programs. "black/minority achievers" and "leaders club" programs enable youth to raise the bar in setting and achieving high educational and professional goals. Before and after school child care and preschool - keeps kids safe - serves 1100 kids per day in summer programs - serves 60 kids per day in preschool - serves 1700 kids per day during school year - develops positive developmental assets - provides a deterrence from gangs and drugs - meets needs of working parents - provides a cost effective service for businesses - gave $600,000 in direct financial aid grants to help those who can't pay feeswater safety instruction progam - keeps kids safe - builds confidence - promotes physical fitness - serves 1000 kids each six-week sessionblack achievers program - the ymca black achievers program is a mentoring experience that pairs young people with successful african-american business leaders. In baton rouge, black achievers gave some 45 teenagers role models as inspiration. That image was a clear reflection of their growing confidence in expressing and proving themselves. Youth in government program - the ymca encourages and empowers young people to become a positive force in their own future through the youth in government program, a government simulation experience. 400 young people from all over the state of louisiana attended a state-wide, three-day conference in baton rouge where "bills" written by delegates were successfully debated. Several of the ymca delegates served in leadership roles during the conference.

adult programs-adult care at the ymca helps keep us all healthier and more motivated. Many adult members began their association with the ymca in youth programs and have continued their association over the years, building a healthy lifestyle for their future. Adult programs for health and fitness include aerobics, aquatics, basketball, racquetball, free-weights and nautilus equipment, and thriving sports leagues. At several branches, adult basketball leagues are another way the ymca goes about caring for our members. Fitness programs for adults translate into healthier lifestyles and less stress, balancing work and family. Health and physical fitness - increases productivity - reduces medical costs - combats stress and tension - relieves stress or work/family life - offers youth fitness programs that reach over 500senior programs - improve quality of life by promoting healthy, active living - provide opportunities for meaningful service - offer fitness, health screening and educational programs - promote a sense of belonging through activities - exercise helps with mobility issues in seniors - reduce isolation in senior population - 1800 seniors served

family programs-parenting is an increasingly challenging task, with nearly 70% of children living in a household with both parents working or headed by a single parent. Finding quality family time is difficult. Meanwhile, children from low-income families have more physical, emotional and mental challenges that interfere with their abilities to do well in school. Ymca family recreation and programs provide relevant opportunities for children and their parents to relate with each other. Ymca family programs can: - create meaningful family time - reinforce parent efforts to instill values - strengthen parent-child bonds - support the family structureour strong kids annual support campaign allows fees to remain affordable for all families, regardless of ability to pay.

community outreach programs-the ability to break through the boundaries that often separate communities is not an impossible task. From inner city children who have no hint of the exhilarating freedom of a week at camp to isolated seniors, the ymca reaches out to help people go beyond their limits - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It's a place where everyone belongs and everyone benefits regardless of age, race, religion or socioeconomic background. The ymca will continue to collaborate with other agencies to create a stronger sense of community. As part of that effort, a homeless program was designed with services to meet the needs of those 14,590 participants across the city delivering 1,628 55-gallon drums of clothing, 1,880 homeless kits and making 2,225 referrals to needed care providers. Financial aid programthe ymca is committed to serving the needs of all members of our community regardless of their ability to pay. Financial assistance is available for both memberships and for program fees, including all programs and services for children and youth. Financial assistance is awarded on a need and availability basis. Financial assistance is made possible by ymca members and community friends and neighbors through the association's strong kids annual support campaign and major collaborations with v. O. A. Drop in center, catholic charities, and lions club.