Valparaiso Ymca

Programs: At the valparaiso family ymca, strengthening community is our cause. We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. That is why we focus our work on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The valparaiso family ymca served 21,000 members and 2,000 program participants (excluding special events) during 2017 mainly in porter county, indiana with programs and services that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Our y's members visited over 532,000 times! Youth development: our ymca is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen. We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That's why we help young people cultivate the values, skills, and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. Our ymca programs, such as those described below, offer a range of experiences that enrich cognitive, social, physical, and emotional growth. Child care: the valparaiso family ymca seeks to provide accessible, high quality, comprehensive care and education for a diverse community in a safe, nurturing environment. We believe a partnership of child, parent, and dedicated staff supports children in our care to become responsible, respectful and caring individuals. The partnership strives to nourish the children's physical, intellectual, emotional and social development by providing well-rounded, fun, creative and enriching programs and experiences. In 2017, 96 children attended childcare programs subsidized by us for a total of $104,003. During 2017, our childcare programs: * utilized a rich curriculum to help kids build a strong foundation for future academic and life success and instilled a love for learning in 304 preschool and toddler children. This curriculum is a kindergarten readiness education program for 3-5 year olds. Currently 98% of our children enrolled are kindergarten ready. * emphasized building strong character values and social interaction skills while engaging in summer fun for 133 summer camp participants. * provided academic, social and physical enrichment to 317 children per week from 7 area schools, in before and after school children programs. * engaged in fun, safe play in child watch while their parents were using the y for over 34,000 visits per year * continued stem (science, technology, engineering, and math) program in summer camp, before and after school and preschool. This learning initiative seeks to build youth analytical and problem solving skills that prepare children for success in life and in stem careers. * hepa facility (healthy eating and physical activity) is part of curriculum as well as educational information for parents. Hepa encourages children to make healthy choices at the y and at home. Children also engage in 30-60 minutes of physical activity at the y. * integrate 40 developmental assets in children that helps them act in positive ways, make better decisions, bounce back from difficulties through development of coping skills, and engage in risky behaviors less. Other youth programs: as an important part of the valparaiso community, the valparaiso family ymca has served over 5,900 youth members and supported our mission to an additional 1,800 program only participants through offering a variety of programs for every age and interest in the aquatics, sports and youth fitness areas. During 2017, our youth programs: * encouraged active living and fostered confidence, character and athletic skills in the lives of children by teaching: o youth sports to 1,438 children; o roller skating to 1,358 children; o fitness to 7,200 children and family fitness to 850 family participants * helped to ensure the safety of children by teaching swimming and water skills in 3 pools to 3,561 children * 48 special needs children participated in can do kids program that focused on fitness, teamwork, swimming skills and socialization. * lego robotics program - stem based class for youth ages 10-16 where they are taught cooperative problem solving with their peers and basic robotics principles with lego mindstorms products. Students design, program, test, and modify their own robots. In addition to the above, the valparaiso family ymca brought the following events to the community: * healthy kids day -350 participants * daddy daughter date night-105 participants * halloween at the y-650 participants * breakfast with santa-120 participants . Staff and volunteers working with youth in our ymca are trained to recognize the importance of cultivating positive assets in youth and incorporate this training into all programs. Healthy living the y is a leading voice on health and well-being. We bring families closer together, encourage good health, and foster connections through fitness, sports, fun, and shared interests. This is particularly important as our nation struggles with an obesity crisis; families struggle with work/life balance; and individuals search for personal fulfillment. Our programs are accessible, affordable, and open to all faiths, backgrounds, abilities, and income levels. In 2017, we provided $182,163 financial assistance to people who otherwise would have faced economic barriers to participation. The valparaiso family ymca has also engaged over 15,000 adult members; including 3,300 seniors, in healthier living through offering a variety of programs for every age and interest in the aquatics, sports and fitness areas. This included the following in 2017: * over 1,500 adults enjoyed aquatic classes and exercise; * over 119,000 participants in fitness classes; * 1,605 participants in our annual 5k/10k run or walk event; * 478 participants in our bike ride event * 2,573 participants in adult sports during the year in addition to the above, the valparaiso family ymca: * strengthened active older adults through a program designed to meet their needs - silver sneakers; which the y subsidizes about $676,000 annually for this senior program. * offers quality, affordable health enhancement programs to the area's workforce by partnering with 56 companies. This commitment allows employees and their families an opportunity to engage in a healthy lifestyle and personally grow in areas of individual interest. * conducted livestrong at the ymca program supporting 23 survivors of cancer and providing $11,730 in financial assistance. This program helps cancer survivors improve the quality of their life and achieve their holistic health goals. * conducted ymca's diabetes prevention program in 2017 for 4 participants. The program has a trained lifestyle coach that introduces topics in a supportive, small group environment and encourages participants as they explore how healthy eating, physical activity and behavior changes can benefit their health. The purpose of the program is to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes for those who are at risk of developing the disease. * partnered with a non-profit hospital to deliver services that enhance member's health and wellness all geared towards chronic disease prevention. Primary areas of partnership: o community and members received free screenings for various areas of which several screenings resulted in critical findings that were life saving o seminars on health and wellness topics all delivered by medical professionals o health fair, nutrition consultation, and physicians consultations * other special events included: o senior day ---90 participants o christmas market ---1200 visitors o senior outings ---350 participants social responsibility our ymca believes in giving back and supporting our neighbors. We have been listening and responding to our community's most critical social needs for 71 years. Y programs described below are examples of how we deliver training, resources, and support that empower our neighbors to effect change, bridge gaps, and overcome obstacles. In 2017, we engaged over 26,000 ymca members, participants, and volunteers in activities that strengthen our community and pave the way for future generations to thrive. The ymca is open to all through available financial assistance in order that the opportunity to participate extends to everyone. In 2017, the valparaiso family ymca provided memberships to 10 local group homes and human service agencies, assistance totaling $58,900. This allowed those clients, who cannot afford to pay full fee, the opportunity to build spirit, mind and body. The valparaiso family ymca collaborates with opportunity enterprises, boy and girl scouts, arthritis foundation, american red cross, local rotary and kiwanis clubs, as well as the porter county community school systems, valparaiso university and the city of valparaiso to provide the best services to the porter county community.