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Causes: Human Services, Physical Fitness & Community Recreational Facilities, Religion, Religion-Related, Sports, Young Mens or Womens Associations
Mission: Founded in 1883, YMCAs collectively make up the largest nonprofit community service organization in America. YMCAs are at the heart of community life in neighborhoods and towns across the nation. They work to meet the health and social service needs of 16.9 million men, women and children Ys help people develop values and behavior that are consistent with Christian principles. Ys are for people of all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. No one is turned away for inability to pay. YMCAs' strength is in the people they bring together. In the average Y, a volunteer board sets policy for its executive, who manages the operation with full-time and part-time staff and volunteer leaders. Ys meet local community needs through organized activities called programs. In its own way, every Y nurtures the healthy development of children and teens; strengthens families; and makes its community a healthier, safer, better place to live. YMCA programs are tools for building the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Longtime leaders in community-based health and fitness and aquatics, Ys teach kids to swim, offer exercise classes for people with disabilities and lead adult aerobics. They also offer hundreds of other programs in response to community needs, including camping, child care (the Y movement is the nation's largest not-for-profit provider), teen clubs, environmental programs, substance abuse prevention, youth sports, family nights, job training, international exchange and many more. Organization: Each YMCA is a charitable nonprofit, qualifying under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Tax Code. Each is independent. YMCAs are required by the national constitution to pay annual dues, to refrain from discrimination and to support the YMCA mission. All other decisions are local choices, including programs offered, staffing and style of operation. The national office, called the YMCA of the USA, is in Chicago, with Field offices in California, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota and Texas. It is staffed by 241 employees. Its purpose is to serve member associations. International: YMCAs are at work in more than 120 countries around the world, serving more than 30 million people. Some 230 local US Ys maintain more than 370 relationships with Ys in other countries, operate international programs and contribute to YMCA work worldwide through the YMCA World Service campaign. Like other national YMCA movements, the YMCA of the USA is a member of the World Alliance of YMCAs, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. History: The YMCA was founded in London, England, in 1844 by George Williams and about a dozen friends who lived and worked as clerks in a draperya forerunner of dry-goods and department stores. Their goal was to help young men like themselves find God. The first members were evangelical Protestants who prayed and studied the Bible as an alternative to vice. The Y movement has always been nonsectarian and today accepts those of all faiths at all levels of the organization, despite its unchanging name, the Young Men's Christian Association. The first U.S. YMCA started in Boston in 1851, the work of Thomas Sullivan, a retired sea captain who was a lay missionary. Ys spread fast and soon were serving boys and older men as well as young men. Although 5,145 women worked in YMCA military canteens in World War I, it wasn't until after World War II that women and girls were admitted to full membership and participation in the US YMCAs. Today half of all YMCA members and program members are female, and half are under age 18.
Results: Well-Being Youth Through our Actively Changing Together (ACT!) and Get Movin’ programs 2,591 youth and family members were provided resources to reduce youth obesity and establish healthier lifestyles. An additional 11,375 youth participated in ongoing wellness activities including swimming, basketball, and Rookie sports. Adults More than 58,766 adults participated in wellness and fitness activities such as aerobics, swimming, basketball, yoga, Zumba®, group cycling, racquet sports, and weight training. Community Child Care As the largest child care provider in Snohomish County the YMCA served 1,560 children at 22 sites in 7 school districts and 44 schools: we operate infant, preschool, toddler, kindergarten, and before/after school care. Teens 4,908 teens participated in Teen Out of School programs, including Teen Tech Centers, Teen Late Nights, Youth & Government, Girls of Promise, Youth Making a Difference (YMAD), and Earth Service Corps. Families More than 27,775 family members enjoyed a rich variety of programs including activity nights, holiday events, financial literacy workshops, and recreational outings. Community Events The YMCA sponsors or collaborates on many community events throughout the year. These include the Community Prayer Breakfast, Healthy Kids Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service, Diversity Celebrations, and SPLASH/Begin to Swim. Inclusivity Youth and Teens The Minority Achievers Program assisted 453 minority and immigrant middle and high school students with homework support and academic and career goal setting. Financial Assistance The YMCA’s Financial Assistance Program, supported by contributions to the annual Invest in Youth campaign and United Way provided $2,498,199 in direct financial assistance to 7,426 individuals. Stewardship Mentoring Big Brothers Big Sisters provided 390 quality one-to-one mentoring matches through school-based and community-based relationships. Volunteers 2,757 volunteers offered valuable assistance with policies, programs, and activities donating a total of 34,665 hours of service to the YMCA.
Target demographics: Youth and Families
Direct beneficiaries per year: 88,000
Geographic areas served: Snohomish County, WA
Programs: The Y is for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility