YMCA of Burbank California

Programs: Healthy living see schedule o for description of 1st exempt purpose accomplishment. Healthy living the y defines healthy living as improving the nation's health and well- being. Many adults and their families struggle to make regular healthy choices as evident by near epidemic rates of obesity and diabetes. The y brings families together, encourages good health and fosters connections through fitness, sports and shared interests. As a result youth, adults and families of burbank get the support they need to achieve better health and find balance in spirit, mind and body. The y's current focus is to help prevent chronic disease by providing opportunities to sustain exercise and eat healthy in all program areas. We know that with the proper support and encouragement, our members can set realistic goals for self-improvement and disease prevention through an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, and health education. All y programs are values-driven and strengthen the foundations of our community. The y is affordable, accessible and inclusive; made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life, all working side by side to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, income or background, has the opportunity to live life to its fullest. We involve all ages, abilities, races, nationalities and religions and provide financial assistance to those who need it. In 2013, we served over 10,000 persons in our community and provided financial assistance in the amount of 367,000.

youth development - child development center see schedule o for description of 2nd exempt purpose accomplishmment. Youth development - child development center our child development center provides development activities for preschool and school age children from all segments of our community. Parents can choose either full or part time activities, providing a safe and nurturing environment where youth develop social skills, practice healthy living choices, learn and practice character values and develop an appreciation of social responsibility. The y has adopted hepa (healthy eating & physical activity) standards; to ensure children and their family are supported in areas of healthy living, education and character development. At the y, we incorporate the 40 developmental assets identified by the search institute as being critical to the healthy development of young people. These developmental assets are proven to help young people mature into caring, responsible, and productive adults. Our child development center engages children from toddlers to teens and provides an active environment where children learn, grow and thrive. It's all about helping children reach their full potential. In addition, parents find support through parent education, the parent advisory council and the y's web-based healthy family home. The y helps people develop the skills they need to be healthy, confident and connected. Our preschool program, accredited by the national association for the education of young children (naeyc), is a child centered, asset rich environment that helps children develop their social skills and prepare them for the school life. They learn to develop a healthy and positive sense of well-being in a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment. The y's outdoor classroom will help children learn 'how the world works' through environmental awareness and it will provide extended outdoor exercise that fosters the establishment of a lifelong pattern of physical activity. The curriculum is "learn through play" and is a foundation for a seamless transition to school age programs. Our school age child care program offers a structured, asset rich environment where children can learn and develop strong character through the guidance and encouragement of their y instructors. Young people are able to take part in team building games, and enrichment activities; time is also set aside to do homework and have independent study. Our summer day camp is accredited by the american camp association, and is an exciting, enriching, fun and safe community for young people to explore the outdoors, build self-esteem, development interpersonal skills and make lasting friendships and memories. Approximately 1,400 children are served during the summer, thus allowing parents to have quality care for their children in the summer months. The focus of the camp is to involve the children in an atmosphere that promotes healthy lifestyle choices, teambuilding, leadership and fun and laughter in an active, secure, comfortable environment. Our camps offer a wide variety of dynamic activities: sports, art and crafts and trips that provide leadership experiences and cultural diversity. The y provides financial assistance for families and the preschool center has been subsidized by below rate fees for preschools of its caliber. Approximately 130 children attend our preschool and after school enrichment program.

youth development - aquatics see schedule o for description of 3rd exempt purpose accomplishment. Youth development - aquatics aquatics at the y is part of our goal to build a healthy spirit, mind and body. In addition to providing specific swimming and water safety skills, the various water activities promote good health through regular exercise. Members learn life skills and the y also helps reduce drowning, the second leading cause of death among children. Swim lessons and water fitness also promote teamwork, self-confidence and leadership skills as well as social benefits. These programs are offered at fees affordable to the community at large, with financial assistance for those who cannot afford the full fee. Last year, we provided swim lesson programs for over 5,500 people, including infants and seniors. Each month approximately 800 seniors participate in our water fitness classes annually. This helps to provide an opportunity to get a great cardiovascular and strength conditioning workout without excess stress on their joints. In addition, the senior fitness classes have helped develop a sense of community and belonging for a group of individuals that often live in isolation and loneliness. Many have developed friendships that go beyond the brick and mortar of the building. This past year, our organization provided nearly 13,000 in financial assistance.

other program service accomplishments our y focuses on youth development through a wide range of programs to help children learn practical and social skills and develop positive values. The y understands that kids want to exert energy, discover who they are and what they can achieve and be accepted among each other. And the y offers nutritional counseling to children and their parents. In our y's choice cafe we offer only healthy, whole foods. We also partner with like-minded organizations in our community to promote healthy living. We believe that all our programs help children grow into responsible members of our community. Children and their parents engage in activities that foster understanding and companionship and simultaneously the children receive a wide variety of opportunities for their growth: mentally, spiritually and physically. Our youth sports program provides opportunities for both boys and girls alike to develop their athletic skills as well as an appreciation for fitness, controlled competition and offers a positive experience and positive role models for good sportsmanship. Many of our participants join because they get the chance to participate in games unlike other organizations where only the best players get to participate. The majority of the coaches are volunteer parents. The program provides a wonderful format for parents to encourage their children to do their best and for children to develop team building skills and large motor skills. The youth and government program is a leadership program we have continued to develop for more than 60 years. A mock legislature and court program exists for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. The students meet semi-monthly to experience the legislative and court processes while also learning to write a bill. Their bill is presented at the state capitol in sacramento. As a prelude to the presentation in sacramento, the students also present to the city of burbank, in the council chambers as a mock presentation which attracts many civic leaders throughout the community. The students exit the program having developed public speaking skills, debate skills, leadership skills and the working knowledge of our government and how to propose a bill. The community response to this program has been phenomenal and the students have gained a high level of confidence as they increase their skills. Financial assistance and subsidies for the programs listed above is approximately 15,000. Community outreach- one of the y's three areas of focus is social responsibility, which we define as giving back and providing support to our neighbors. The y has been listening and responding to the community needs for 89 years. We help develop skills and emotional well-being through education and training, we welcome and connect diverse populations within our community and we work to prevent chronic disease by helping build a healthier community through collaborations with policymakers. Listed below are some of the collaborations we have within the community: burbank unified school district, burbank coordinating council, providence st. Joseph medical center, arthritis foundation, burbank center for the retarded, kiwanis, leadership burbank, path point (work training program), peace builders, woodbury university and the mayor's youth task force. Listed below are some of the programs and activities we provide to the community at no cost: afyap classes (arthritis classes), woman's self defense classes, and healthy kid's day.