Young Mens Christian Association Of Metropolitan Atlanta Inc

Programs: Healthy living and well-being: the y is a community with an everyday mission to help individuals achieve a balance of spirit, mind and body and ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and connect. We help people develop the skills and relationships they need to be healthy, confident, and connected to others. Adults want to learn more, do more, and live more healthily. Through collaborations with nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and others, the y fosters health and well-being among people of all ages, brings people together to pursue passions old and new, and provides mutual support for everyone in our neighborhoods. ---the y encourages good health and fosters connections through physical activity and exercise, proper nutrition, chronic disease and stress management, health education, sports, swim programs, and shared interests. Older adults come to the y to remain active, to rehabilitate after illness, injury or surgery, and to find quality time for social interaction. In 2014, the y helped more than 10,519 children and adults live healthier, achieve healthy weights and be more active through participation in the coach approach, youth fit 4 life and start 4 life. These are all evidence-based programs with instruction, coaching and support groups developed by the metro atlanta ymca. The y also promotes healthy lifestyle activities that bring people together with shared physical activity interests. In 2014, the y enabled 2,809 adults to participate in athletic and recreation activities. ---in 2014, 163,158 people were ymca members - 35% youth; 58% adults and 7% seniors. The y served 66,035 people who participated in y programs. The y assisted 34,278 children, families, and adults with $5. 5 million in financial aid. The y raised $32. 1 million through donations and grants to ensure all could participate.

school readiness and youth development: we believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life. Because of the y community, kids in neighborhoods around metro atlanta are taking more interest in learning and making smarter life choices. At the y, kids learn their abc's, learn to share, and learn how to be themselves, which makes for confident kids today and contributing and engaged adults tomorrow. ---ymca early learning academies help children from predominantly low income homes develop to their fullest potential, strengthen and support families and deliver child care in a caring, nurturing and positive environment. Metro atlanta ymca childcare programs are built on the four concepts of family, child, community, and accessibility. Programs are family-centered, which means parents are included in the care process. Y programs nurture children's growth and help children develop a strong sense of right and wrong. Programs help to make the community a healthier, safer and better place to live. The y strives to make quality care available to all who need it, not just to those who can afford it, therefore, reasonable fees with a sliding fee scale are provided. In 2014, 1,194 children got an early childhood education foundation in ymca preschool. Programs are licensed and early larning sites are accredited or in the process of accreditation by the national association for the education of young children. ---head start is a comprehensive preschool program for children three to five years old. It is a national, federally-funded program designed to foster the healthy development of young children and is provided at no cost to families meeting the federal income guidelines. The program provides comprehensive and special services designed to enhance the quality of life for children and families. Services are customized to the individual needs of children through traditional, center-based and innovative head start partnerships. Health and developmental services include physical exams, screenings, vision and hearing tests, and a dental check-up. Mental health professionals provide services to children and families in need. Each program includes at least 10 percent of children with documented disabilities. The y also offers a learn-to-swim program to promote water safety as well as extended day and summer enrichment programs. In 2014, 1,998 children were engaged, learning and preparing for kindergarten in metro atlanta ymca head start programs. ---teen leaders club programs develop young people by providing them with positive role models and involving them in activities and programs to build leadership skills, increase civic engagement and volunteerism, promote a strong work ethic, improve educational skills, strengthen conflict resolution skills and encourage self-confidence. Teen leaders clubs provide career exploration and guidance, mentoring, training and conferences, and participation in y events and activities. Teen outreach programs provide training, resources and support to empower teens to make change and overcome obstacles. Local y programs and services get kids off the streets, prepare teens for employment, welcome and embrace newcomers, and help to foster an ethic of community volunteerism. Teen international programs promote international understanding and offer support systems that welcome, celebrate, educate, and connect diverse demographic populations in the u. S. And around the world. Through exchanges, education, leadership training, program support, board guidance, and staff sharing, we gain a global perspective and respect for other cultures and customs. In 2014, 1,582 teens were engaged in various ymca teen programs. ---youth sports and recreation programs provide an opportunity for kids of all ages to develop an appreciation of sports, learn fundamental skills, and develop leadership skills. Ymca youth programs are designed to help children improve personal and family relationships, appreciate diversity, develop specific skills, clarify values, and become better leaders and supporters. In 2014, the y enabled 19,061 youth to participate in values-based sports and recreation activities.

after-school child care and summer camp: parents desire a safe environment in which children can learn practical and social skills and develop positive values. Kids want to exert energy, discover who they are and what they can achieve, and be accepted amongst each other. The y meets both of these desires by providing fun, active and intentional programs which cultivate the values, skills, and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. ---the central focus of all ymca youth programs is to foster growth and development in children and in their parents and families. The y's educational enrichment programs help parents prepare their children for the future by providing them a values-based, high quality foundation for positive growth. After-school programs give children a chance to become more self-reliant, develop relationships, gain autonomy, and enhance and enrich their civic and academic leadership skills. Parents play an important role in policy and program decisions. In many instances, ymca childcare and after-school programs allow parents to remain gainfully employed, knowing their children are thriving in secure, supportive, supervised environments. For parents who cannot afford the full fee, care is provided on a sliding fee scale, based on need. In 2014, 4,635 children participated in enriching activities during non-school hours at 114 after-school sites in elementary schools and ymca facilities. ---camping programs provide an exciting, safe community for young people to explore the outdoors, build self-confidence, develop interpersonal skills, and make lasting friendships and memories. Through a variety of activities and with a focus on the natural surroundings, ymca camping promotes spiritual awareness, mental, development, physical well-being, social growth, and a respect for the environment. Ymca camp programs help working parents, provide their children with safe places to go during the summertime. Fees are offered on a below cost basis to parents unable to afford full camp costs. Most camp counselors are former campers who often decline alternative higher-paying jobs to impact a child's life and become role models for younger campers. For many, it is the teen's first job. Many campers remember their summer camp counselors, friends, and the life lessons they experienced at camp for many years to come. In 2014, parents of 18,728 kids turned to ymca day camp staff to keep their children outdoors, active and supervised. There were 4,853 young people who grew more independent at summer resident camp and another 4,521 individuals challenged themselves during seasonal retreats and conferences in 2014.