Young Mens Christian Association Of Madison Nj

Programs: The madison area ymca is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen through programs and services that address their unique developmental challenges. We help young people develop the values, skills and relationships that lead to better health and educational achievement. Our full-day and part-time early childhood education programs and daily socialization instruction at the y's f. M. Kirby children's center help more than 300 babies, toddlers and pre-school children prepare for success in school and family life. The unique "talking tots" program provides specialized early speech training for toddlers. Our summer camps provide hundreds of children and teens with structured, values-based recreation and care, which is essential for children of working parents. Our no-fee teen counseling program equips teens with healthy tools to address and surmount emotional challenges emerging from school, family and social pressures. More than 600 children take water safety training lessons each week. More experienced children populate our mariners swim team where members compete in safe, structured environments that reinforce caring, fairness, perseverance and teamwork. These values are consistently nurtured through our gators youth basketball leagues, gymnastics program, youth soccer leagues and other sports programs for boys and girls. Special events such as healthy kids day each april reinforce youth development in structured situations that reinforce the y values of responsibility, respect, caring and honesty.

the y is committed to improving community health and wellbeing by bringing families closer together, encouraging good health and fostering connections through fitness, sports and other shared interests. More than 11,000 members participate in our fitness and wellness programs on a regular basis. Active participation in family center wellness programs serve as many as 50,000 children, teens and adults each month. Adults participate in more than 100 weekly exercise classes ranging from meditation and qigong to yoga, cycling and water fitness. Children and teens participate in dozens of developmental and enrichment programs that sustain and promote physical and emotional health. Hundreds of older adults participate in social programs and specialized exercise classes designed with their varied abilities in mind. Adults of all ages participate in group or one-on-one nutrition and cooking classes, and physical training programs that address chronic health issues and disease prevention. Most wellness services, programs and exercise classes are offered at the y's family center, but several are also offered at other community locations throughout chatham borough and township, and florham park and madison boroughs through partnerships with towns and local churches. Occasional family dinners and weekend family nights at the y are offered to further strengthen community and family connections.

the y strives to serve our community and support our neighbors, especially those with limited incomes and those facing personal crises. We work to provide as many low- and no-cost services as possible, seeking to serve our most vulnerable populations with health sustaining programs that serve the whole person. In 2017 the y raised $620,000 in charitable donations, and distributed it to no-fee wellness programs and directly to low income adults and families who are in need of the y's childcare, wellness and health-sustaining programs and services. Our community mental health initiative provides ongoing classes and workshops on how to support individuals who may be struggling with emotional or mental illness. Our no-fee counseling program provides troubled children and teens with tools and skills to manage their emotional issues and stay on a healthy path toward adulthood. Hundreds of adults each year are cared for in the following no-fee wellness, health maintenance and disease management programs: diabetes prevention is an evidence-based program that monitors wellness and produces health quality outcomes that measure impact on health over time. Livestrong at the y offers fitness and peer support to adults living with cancer. Delay the disease supports those living with parkinson's disease, one step provides therapeutic support to those living with multiple sclerosis, and enhancefitness helps older adults and those living with arthritis to maintain a higher quality of life. The y also serves the community through its "togetherhood" member-led volunteer program that prepares and serves meals to low-income seniors and volunteers at community service events and programs. A substantial proportion of y participants are from low income households. Fully 11% of family center members and nearly 25% of children at the kirby children's center receive financial assistance from the y.