Young Mens Christian Association Of Bucks And Hunterdon Counties

Programs: At the y, strengthening community is our purpose. We serve three crucial areas of focus to help individuals, families and communities learn, grow and thrive. The y is for youth development, offering all kids the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That's why, through the y, millions of youth today are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement. At the y, we know that a successful development process fulfills children and teens' innate need to be loved, educated, competent and healthy. The y is for healthy living, improving the nation's health and well-being. The y brings families closer together, encourages good health and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, millions of youth, adults and families are receiving support, guidance and resources needed to achieve greater health and well-being for their spirit, mind and body. The y is for social responsibility, giving back and providing support to our neighbors. The y has been listening and responding to our communities' most critical needs for decades. Whether developing skills or emotional well-being, welcoming and connecting diverse populations or advocating for healthier communities, the y fosters the care and respect all people need and deserve. Through the y, thousands of volunteers, donors, leaders and partners are empowering millions of people, and the communities in which they live, to be healthy, confident, connected and secure. We know that when we work together, we move individuals, families and communities forward. The y has responded to society's most pressing needs by developing innovative, community based solutions and uniting people from all walks of life to participate in and work for positive social change. The central bucks family ymca had 20,742 members during the year 2017 with program enrollments of over 24,448. No one is turned away from the y based on their financial situation. The y provides assistance to individuals of all ages and stages of life. $1,184,081 was given to 1,606 individuals. This assistance allows them to participate in y programs, gives families opportunities to build stronger bonds, individuals to achieve greater work/life balance, and youth to explore their potential. More than 24% of the individuals receiving assistance attended our childcare and day camps. 1,603 volunteers contributed 12,229 hours of service. A staff of 701, including 36 full time employees, provided service delivery of 400 programs and services. The y has over 35 collaborations and informal partnerships with other organizations in the community. A number of programs are offered for individuals with special needs such as autism, post rehab and therapeutic recreational swimming, programs for developmentally delayed adults and special fitness programs for physically inactive adults, and more. Our y provides high quality child care by offering comprehensive activities for preschool and kindergarten children drawing on diverse members of the community. We provide both full and part time options to serve a wide range of family scheduling needs. Woven into the fabric of the ymca mission is a commitment to strengthening families. Ymca childcare programs relieve the burden of balancing work and family and make it possible for parents of children in our care to remain gainfully employed, knowing that their children are thriving in a safe, developmentally sound environment. Our y provides tuition assistance for child care services. Over $342,522 was awarded to families to defray their fees this year. In addition, we provide aid to families who need help due to family violence, substance abuse, etc. By collaborating with other social service agencies. We also provide a variety of activities that emphasize parent education and help parents learn more about how to raise healthy, happy children who develop self-esteem and moral and ethical values. Our y's camp programs provide a lasting experience of personal enrichment and skill enhancement. Day camps offer adventure and learning activities that provide challenge and promote spiritual awareness, mental development, physical well being, social growth, team building, and self-respect. Camping helps youth become aware of their physical and mental capabilities, expanding their horizons, to recognize the value of cooperation, and to gain confidence. Over $411,733 of financial assistance was given to families with children who could not afford to attend camp. The offering of child care services and camps, along with financial assistance, are a way for a parent to have peace of mind that their child is safe and well-cared for while the parent pursues education and/or employment to improve the family's circumstances. Helping people of all ages and abilities develop health in spirit, mind and body is at the core of the ymca movement. Whether for triathlete level individuals or for a health seeker new to exercise and activity, our programs are designed to help people create realistic goals for self-improvement and emphasize disease prevention through regular exercise, proper nutrition, stress management, and health education. Sports programs for youth, families and adults promote teamwork, interaction, and development of social and physical skills. Providing educational and recreational opportunities and a solid family structure fuels economic growth and social development throughout the area, lessening the burden on public funds. Our arthritis program is an aquatics program that keeps seniors active and flexible; our children's aquatics programs help to develop physical skills in toddlers through preschoolers; our family swim program gives adults and children shared time in the pool to appreciate one another and promote intergenerational relationships. Our services are offered at affordable fees for the community at large, with reasonable accommodations for those with special needs, and with financial assistance available for those who cannot afford the full fee. Our y provides meaningful and fun activities for people with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. One on one services, group programs and inclusion programs are offered to special needs individuals in the pool and on land. Group lessons emphasize learning new skills in a social environment. Program classes and activities are conducted by qualified and certified staff, all of whom have direct experience working with individuals of all abilities. In 2017, our y's community benefit exceeded $2. 5 million through financial assistance, programs offered to individuals who may not have had access to them through any other venue, the value of volunteer hours, and the holiday meals and gifts to individuals in need. Central bucks family ymca is a cause-driven organization for youth development fulfilling its mission with the seventh grade initiative. The y offers free membership to all students in the seventh grade. The goal of the initiative is to encourage youth to make healthy choices and avoid risky behaviors to succeed in school and life. Those who participate will receive access to the pools, the fitness center with a mandatory orientation, the gym, the ability to participate in group exercise classes and sports classes, teen programs, volunteering opportunities and much more. Empower u was designed by young women, for young women to enhance self-image through physical activity, healthy relationships and confidence building. Each session includes fitness center workouts, group exercise, samplers and interactive programming to promote self-development. This is a free program for teen girls in grades 9-12 which also includes a free, two month membership to the y. Central bucks family ymca continues to offer their thrive cancer wellness program in 2017. The program includes a 12 week program of personal training designed to improve strength, cardiovascular fitness and flexibility. The participants and their families receive 12 weeks of membership. The ymca's diabetes prevention program is a community based lifestyle improvement program for adults with prediabetes. The purpose is to empower adults with lasting lifestyle changes that will improve their overall health and reduce their change of developing type 2 diabetes. The program provides 16 weekly sessions and 8 monthly sessions. Living active is an 8 week program for older adults to come together in group activities. It provides specialized small group fitness programs, socialization, health education and adapted activities for seniors.