Young Mens Christian Association

Programs: Youth development - at the ymca of austin, we believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life. We support the entire child development continuum from birth through the teen years and even into young adulthood by providing kids of every age the support, resources and values they need to thrive. Instilling values, educational enrichment and physical activity are at the center of all our youth development initiatives, thus ensuring that kids have opportunities to flex their brains and muscles. We believe that all children deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. The outcomes we foster are clear: we help young people cultivate the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. Our ymca programs include afterschool child care as well as summer and holiday day camps for school-age children, parent/child programs such as adventure guides, youth sports programs, aquatics programs and teen leadership programs. Licensed child care is offered through our y afterschool program at 15 schools in three districts and at four ymca learning centers at affordable housing developments. Summer and holiday day camps serve youth at 22 sites across metropolitan austin. Y youth sports emphasize development of skills, health and fitness, safety, cooperation, self-esteem and respect for others. The focus is on full and equal participation of all - every child plays in every game. Our aquatics programs promote water safety, skill development, self-esteem and healthy habits. Swim lessons, aquatic exercise and recreational swim time are offered at all indoor and outdoor pools located at each of our seven area branches. Teens involved in leadership development programs such as youth & government build skills through hands-on participation in a mock legislative, judicial and media activities at local, regional and state-wide events. In 2014, more than 2,800 children attended camp, and an additional 2,400 were enrolled in our y afterschool program. The ymca provided more than $635,000 in financial assistance so that children could participate in afterschool child care, camps and learning centers regardless of their economic circumstance. In 2014, more than 2,000 children received free or low-cost swim lessons through our swim safe and project safe programs. In all, more than 15,000 children received swim lessons through the ymca of austin, and nearly $25,000 in financial assistance was awarded to nearly 1,800 children and families for aquatics. Additionally, the ymca of austin is one of the leading providers in metro austin of lifeguarding certification, ensuring quality and safety and all ymca and other area pools. These programs offer a range of experiences that enrich cognitive, physical and emotional growth.

healthy living - at the y, we have a mission centered on healthy living, with a focus on prevention. We bring families closer together, encourage good health and foster connections through fitness, nutrition, sports, outdoor recreation and shared interests. Additionally, our holistic approach to prevention encourages men, women and children to commit to healthy living not just while they are working at the y but all day, every day, in every area of their lives, empowering our participants to take their health into their own hands. We impact an average of 10,000 individuals per day from all walks of life and of all ages. As a result, more than 65,000 ymca of austin members and an additional 60,000 nonmember program participants are receiving the support, guidance and resources they need to achieve greater health. This is particularly important as our nation, and the metropolitan austin area in particular, struggles with obesity and chronic diseases, families struggle with work/life balance, and individuals search for personal fulfillment. Ymca health & wellness programs stress the value of prevention through good exercise habits and health. These programs offer facilities and equipment in the field of health enhancement, personal fitness evaluations and classes that promote healthy lifestyles through regular exercise. Ymca health & wellness programs include group exercise classes, strength training programs, personal training, gymnastics, martial arts, adult sports and programs tailored for active older adults. The ymca of austin offers health-seekers resources for active, well-balanced lifestyles and provides community leadership to help reduce barriers to developing and maintaining healthy lifestyles. Our programs are accessible, affordable and open to people of all faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. Scholarships and subsidies are offered to all individuals and families in need of financial assistance. In 2014, the ymca of austin provided more than 38,000 individuals with more than $1. 9 million in financial assistance to overcome economic barriers to their participation in y memberships.

social responsibility - our ymca believes in giving back and supporting our neighbors. As part of our commitment to social responsibility, we work to develop the potential of every man, woman and child regardless of age, income or walk of life. We are also deeply committed to fragile, financially challenged and underserved communities across our service area of travis, hays and bastrop counties, where many families rely on quality ymca programs and memberships to stay healthy, reduce stress, build character and strengthen bonds. Our branches serve as centers of pride, safety, education, health and connection for thousands of deserving children, seniors and families. Ymcas convene diverse communities to break the social trend of isolation and disconnect among neighbors. Our ys serve as community gathering places, neighborhood centers and family getaways. Our annual special events serve as community focal points and celebrations. To ensure access for all, we provided more than $2. 6 million in membership and program assistance to benefit more than 40,000 men, women and children in 2014. We have been listening and responding to our community's most critical social needs for more than 60 years. Y programs such as project safe (free aquatics & water safety instruction for first-graders), livestrong at the ymca (health & wellness training for cancer survivors), mend (family-based childhood obesity intervention), and senior retreat (recreational therapy for early-mid stage alzheimer's and dementia patients) are prime examples of how we deliver training, resources and support that empower our neighbors to effect change, bridge gaps and overcome obstacles. We act as a community leader and focal point through free annual events such as healthy kids day, splash day, fall harvest festival, multiple easter egg hunts, and our 25-year-old children's christmas party. We extend our services to the community through multiple collaborations with other community-based nonprofits such as the american heart association, special olympics of texas, age of austin, safe place, salvation army and many more. We also motivate members of our community to give back through volunteerism and philanthropic giving. In 2014, we engaged more than 1,800 volunteers in our programs and nearly 3,500 donors to our annual campaign to provide financial assistance for those who otherwise would not be able to participate in our programs due to economic constraints.