Young Mens Christian Association Of Pensacola Inc

Programs: Youth developmentwe have been the community's leader in youth development programs throughout our history, providing opportunities for children and teens to learn, grow, and thrive through programs that teach skills and build character. At the ymca of pensacola, our primary youth development programming has focused on aquatics and sports. In a coastal florida community, our children's safety in and around the water is a top priority. Swim lessons at the y give children the skills to be safe in the water, plus a sense of accomplishment from learning something new, and a great way to exercise for life. Last year, 568 youth participated in our swim lesson program, while hundreds of kids and families enjoyed recreational pool time. Healthy livingwe believe that personal wellness is vital for the men, women, and children we serve. Our goal is to create opportunities for our members to feel healthy, welcome, and connected as they grow in spirit, mind, and body. This year more than 3,900 men, women, and teens from all walks of life gathered at the y for fitness and fellowship. We expand our definition of healthy living beyond our buildings. Weight loss challenges offer adults the support and good-natured competition needed to make lasting changes in their health, while we also offer martial arts, running clubs, and scuba programs. Our senior program provides specific classes and opportunities for physical activity as well as social connection for our active older adult members, who comprise about 20% of our membership. Social responsibilitywe believe that the y's resources belong to the community, so we share our facilities with individuals and groups. We open our buildings to community groups such as scouts, churches, and other nonprofits who need a place to meet, work, and play. We support other area nonprofits by offering membership packages to help them in their event fundraising. Finally, we step outside our walls to participate in community education and outreach events that benefit individuals from all walks of life. Health and enhancement - we believe everyone should have the opportunity to pursue health in spirit, mind, and body. As the leader in health and wellness, the ymca enables people of all ages, interests, and abilities to enjoy keeping fit in a wholesome and supportive environment. Y assistance is offered for memberships of all types for those in financial need. About 12% of our members enjoyed membership through our y assistance program. Aquatics - in our pools, we provide water safety and swim instruction as well as family recreational opportunities. These skills are essential to families in florida, where drowning is the number one cause of accidental death of young children. In all of our programs, our goal is to develop the total person in spirit, mind, and body. Today's young people are faced with more potentially harmful choices, and at an earlier age, than any previous generation. Studies that track the relationship between indicators of child health and well-being and the later successes or failures of these youth indicate that those children who lack support and nurturing and quality experiences early in life spend years trying to catch up and often never do. Instead, they drop out of school, become involved in the juvenile justice system, have babies as teens, become dependent on the social welfare system, and struggle to hold down a job. The overwhelmingly positive effects that values-based, quality programs such as the ymca's have on child development is well documented. To this end, our mission compels us to provide financial assistance whenever possible to help youth and families of all racial and socioeconomic levels benefit from ymca programs.