Young Mens Christian Association

Programs: 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 our infant thru school-age child care, youth and teen mentoring program, service learning, youth sports, youth swimming lessons and safety around the water week and day camp, offer a range of experiences that enrich cognitive, social, physical and emotional growth. The largest youth development program at the altru family ymca is our child care program for infant thru school-age children, with children from all segments of our community. We offer state licensed child care programs, with both full and part time child care options, in a safe and nurturing environment, addressing the wide range of family child care and scheduling needs in the community. Parents are encouraged to play an active role in their child's care and development, including being involved in policy and program decisions, as well as, emphasis on parent education on how to raise healthy, happy children. Our ymca commitment to strengthening families, relieving the burden of balancing work and family, is interwoven in our child care programs, making it possible for parents of the children to remain gainfully employed or complete their education for a future career, knowing that their children are thriving in a safe, developmentally appropriate and supportive environment. In 2017, 2424 children participated in our infant/toddler, preschool, after school child care sites, and in our summer school age program. In addition, we provide assistance and support to at risk children who need help due to family violence, substance abuse, etc. , including providing crisis child care services, by collaborating with united way and a variety of social service agencies. At the altru family ymca, no child is turned away due to inability to pay. In 2017, we provided $108,565 in financial assistance for children who otherwise would have faced economic barriers to participation. In our mentoring program, over 117 children were connected with positive adult role models, subsidized by the grand forks ymca by $27,339. In addition, 651 children were at play and reconnected with nature during our summer day camp, 718 children were engaged in our youth sports programs, and 594 children received swimming instruction, with $14,871 in financial assistance provided for children and teens to be active in the youth programs at the ymca.

heathly 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. As a result, 9,547 people in our community are receiving the support, guidance, and resources they need to achieve greater health in spirit, mind and body. 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 $93,137 in financial assistance to people who otherwise would have faced economic barriers to participation. Y programs, such as family fitness, parent/child and adult swimming, group land and water exercise classes for all ages, senior specific fitness programs, diabetes prevention, livestrong cancer survivor program, parkinson's wellness program, strength training, cycling, health education and screenings, a senior social club, personal training and adult recreational leagues, promote healthy lifestyle activities, bringing people together with shared athletic and recreational interests. The sports and fitness programs served 3,720 individuals. The ymca aquatics programs served infants through seniors, providing specific swimming and water safety skills that will be lifelong and lifesaving skills, promotes good health through physical activity. As residents of a community that borders the lake country of minnesota, people in this community could be subject to dramatic safety incidents in and around the water. Our aquatics programs help prevent potential drowning situations for youth and adults. Our aquatics programs included our progressive swimming lessons, instructional swimming classes, open and family swimming, aquatic exercise programs, including special classes for senior adults to help individuals increase strength, flexibility, relieve pain and maintain a healthy and productive quality of life in a comfortable exercise class setting. Other specialized classes provided support to cancer survivors, individuals with parkinson's disease and individuals who are at risk for diabetes. Our open and family swim program gives youth and adults shared time in the pool to reconnect as families and promote intergenerational relationships. In the current period, 1,014 youth and adults participated in ymca aquatic programs.

social responsibility - the grand forks ymca believes in giving back and supporting our neighbors. We have been listening and responding to our community's most critical social needs for 130 years. Y programs, such as military outreach initiative, lifesaving and safety classes, service learning, our partner of youth scholarship assistance program, mentoring and volunteer opportunities, community wide health incentive programs, youth water safety education, as well as, playing an active role on the local greater grand forks health coalition, are all 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 ymca members, participants, and volunteers in activities that strengthen our community and pave the way for future generations to thrive. We empowered over 400 volunteers to give back and support their neighbors, including over 117 adults mentoring youth and 60 service learning experiences for teens, certified 273 individuals in safety courses, engaged 233 individuals in our community wide health incentive program, instructed 31 youth in water safety education in our safety around the water program and involved 25 members of military families through our outreach initiative, giving them opportunities to be healthy, and feel confident, connected and secure.