The Granite Ymca

THE GRANITE YMCA IS A VOLUNTEER DRIVEN ORGANIZATION THAT IS COMMITTED TO SERVING ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING A GREAT VARIETY OF PROGRAMS PROMOTING HOLISTIC HEALTH OF SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR PEOPLE OF ALL INCOMES, RACES, RELIGIONS, AGES AND ABILITIES. MISSION STATEMENT: THE YMCA CREATES A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME AND BUILDS A HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY BASED ON THE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - THE Y RECOGNIZES AND CELEBRATES ITS ROLE AS A MAJOR SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE AREA OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. THE Y IS COMMITTED TO INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO DEEPEN VALUES AND BUILD POSITIVE ASSETS. ALL YOUTH PROGRAMS REINFORCE OUR CORE VALUES OF HONESTY, RESPECT, CARING AND RESPONSIBILITY. THESE GUIDED PRINCIPLES HELP CHILDREN MAKE POSITIVE CHOICES IN THEIR LIVES AND CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING STRONG FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. THE Y ALSO SEEKS TO BUILD POSITIVE ASSETS IN YOUTH BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO ENGAGE IN LIFELONG HEALTHY ACTIVITIES WITH POSITIVE ROLE MODELS TO HELP GUIDE THEIR DECISIONS. IT IS PROVEN THAT THE MORE POSITIVE ASSETS A CHILD HAS, THE LESS LIKELY THEY ARE TO ENGAGE IN HIGH RISK BEHAVIOR THAT MAY LEAD TO NEGATIVE HEALTH HABITS AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIORS. WITH THIS AS A BACKDROP, THE Y IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN THE AREA AND SERVES OVER 1,900 CHILDREN PER DAY AT 27 SITES STATE WIDE. A SPECIAL EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON ENSURING ACCESS TO PROGRAMS IN LOW INCOME AREAS BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH GRANTS, STATE AID AND Y FUND RAISING. THE Y IS ALSO COMMITTED TO PROVIDING HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUTH DURING THE HIGH RISK AFTER SCHOOL HOURS BY PROVIDING AN EXTENSIVE VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO SERVE A CHILD'S MANY INTERESTS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONAL AND COMPETITIVE SWIMMING, GYMNASTICS AND DANCE PROGRAMS, A MULTITUDE OF YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS INCLUDING BASKETBALL, SOCCER, OUTDOOR ADVENTURE, TENNIS AND FITNESS. THE Y ENCOURAGES AN EXTENSIVE USE OF VOLUNTEERS AND MENTORS TO RUN ITS PROGRAMS AND INCLUDES FAMILY PARTICIPATION AS A WAY TO BRING FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER. DUE TO THE Y'S LONG STANDING INVOLVEMENT IN AQUATICS AND CONCERN FOR KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE AROUND OCEANS, PONDS, LAKES, STREAMS, RIVERS AND SWIMMING POOLS, WE PROVIDE A FREE AQUATIC SAFETY PROGRAM THAT SERVES 1,000 FOURTH GRADE CHILDREN PER YEAR FROM MANCHESTER'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SYSTEM. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN CHILDREN ARE NOT IN SCHOOL, THE Y OFFERS EXTENSIVE DAY AND RESIDENT CAMPING PROGRAMS AT SIX MAJOR CAMPING FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN 18 MONTHS TO 15 YEARS OLD AND SERVES OVER 1,750 CHILDREN PER DAY. AGAIN, THIS PROVIDES MANY OF OUR CENTER-CITY AND LOW-INCOME YOUTH WITH A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE WITH CHILDREN FROM WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE STATE AND COUNTRY. A MAJOR EMPHASIS OF OUR CAMPING PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO GAIN LEADERSHIP SKILLS BY PROGRESSING FROM A CAMPER TO A LEADER-IN-TRAINING (L.I.T.), TO A COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING (C.I.T.), TO A JUNIOR COUNSELOR AND FINALLY TO A FULL COUNSELOR. EACH YEAR, THE Y EMPLOYS OVER 425 YOUNG ADULTS AND IS ONE OF THE COMMUNITY'S LARGEST YOUTH EMPLOYERS. THROUGH OUR CAMPING AND YOUTH PROGRAMS, WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT 12 MONTHS PER YEAR TO BUILD A HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY.

HEALTHY LIVING - WE KNOW THAT 90% OF ANY ONE PERSON'S HEALTH IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO WHERE THEY ARE BORN, LIVE, LEARN, WORK AND DIE. THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH - ECONOMIC STABILITY, NEIGHBORHOOD AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATION, HEALTHY FOOD, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION, AND QUALITY HEALTH CARE - CAN EITHER PROVIDE A SMOOTHER PATHWAY TO HEALTH AND SUCCESS OR BE AN INSURMOUNTABLE BARRIER, ALL DEPENDING ON THE ENVIRONMENT YOU FIND YOURSELF IN. THE YMCA HAS ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT A HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY ARE CRUCIAL TO HELPING AN INDIVIDUAL DEVELOP TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY, HAS ACCESS TO THE Y AND THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT SUPPORT HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. WHAT WE NOW KNOW, BASED ON SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE, IS THAT IF WE CAN REMOVE BARRIERS TO HEALTH FOR MORE PEOPLE - SUCH AS POVERTY, HUNGER, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION - WE WILL NOT ONLY IMPROVE THE POTENTIAL FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL, BUT OUR COMMUNITIES WILL IN TURN THRIVE. THE Y OFFERS A SLIDING FEE SCALE AND FINANCIAL AID TO REMOVE FINANCIAL BARRIERS THAT MAY PREVENT PARTICIPATION. LAST YEAR, WE PROVIDED FINANCIAL AID AND/OR FREE SERVICES TO OVER 26,000 PEOPLE TO ENSURE ALL WHO NEED HELP, RECEIVE HELP. OF THIS NUMBER 6,077 RECEIVED FREE OR DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIPS AT THE Y AND 2,149 RECEIVED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ENABLING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN A Y PROGRAM. THE VALUE OF ASSISTANCE IS OVER $1.6 MILLION DOLLARS. AS A PART OF THIS COMMITMENT, THE Y PROVIDES FREE MEMBERSHIPS TO OVER 56 OTHER NON-PROFIT AGENCIES WHOSE CLIENTS HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS, SUCH AS FOSTER HOMES, GROUP HOMES FOR CHILDREN WITH NO PARENTS, DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTERS, MENTORING PROGRAMS AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS. COLLABORATING TO SUPPORT OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY IS A MAJOR FOCUS FOR OUR ORGANIZATION. THE Y'S CORE VALUES OF HONESTY, CARING, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY ARE TAUGHT AS A WAY TO HELP ALL PEOPLE COMMIT TO INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY WELLNESS. THE Y MAINTAINS A MAJOR FOCUS ON DEVELOPING STRONG FAMILIES AND OFFERS CONCURRENT PROGRAMMING AND CHILD CARE SUPPORT THROUGH A PROGRAM CALLED FAMILY TIME. WITH THIS PROGRAM, THE ENTIRE FAMILY CAN COME AT ONE TIME TO ENSURE EVERYONE GETS TO PARTICIPATE IN HEALTHY ACTIVITIES. AS A PART OF FAMILY TIME, THE YMCA PROVIDES FREE CARE FOR CHILDREN SO PARENTS CAN WORK OUT KNOWING THEIR CHILDREN ARE WELL CARED FOR. OVER 70% OF OUR MEMBERSHIPS ARE YOUTH AND FAMILIES, SO THIS MAKES A BIG IMPACT. IN ADDITION, WE RUN SPECIAL PROGRAMS LIKE HEALTHY KIDS DAY, BRUNCH WITH SANTA AND HOST FAMILY OUTINGS AND OFFER SPECIAL RATES TO FAMILIES AS WELL AS OUR SENIORS. WE MAINTAIN A BROAD DEFINITION OF FAMILIES TO ENSURE TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL FAMILIES CAN PARTICIPATE. OVER 150 CLASSES ARE OFFERED EACH WEEK FOR PEOPLE OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE. THIS BROAD SCOPE OF SERVICE ENSURES THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A LIFETIME OF PARTICIPATION, WHICH IS THE MOST POWERFUL METHODOLOGY FOR LONG TERM CHANGE. PROVIDING THESE PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES, LEVELS AND ABILITIES OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH TO BUILD LIFELONG RELATIONSHIPS AND FRIENDS, BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND OF COURSE, DEEPEN VALUES.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - THE Y ACTS AS A COMMUNITY PARTNER WHENEVER POSSIBLE TO ADDRESS CRITICAL COMMUNITY NEEDS. IN THIS CONTEXT, A NUMBER OF OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF SCHOOL DROP OUTS AND SCHOOL FAILURES THAN OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE. THE Y HAS TAKEN THE LEAD TO IMPACT THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE BY OFFERING MANY SPECIAL PROGRAMS TO REDUCE SCHOOL DROPOUTS AND CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP FOR YOUTHS AT RISK. THE YMCA START AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IN MANCHESTER'S CENTER CITY BEECH AND WILSON SCHOOLS PROVIDES A RESEARCH-BASED ACHIEVEMENT GAP PROGRAM FOR 80 YOUTH DAILY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES 15 STAFF WHO TUTOR, MENTOR AND PROVIDE MATH, LITERACY AND 21ST CENTURY SKILLS GEARED AT BUILDING ACADEMIC COMPETENCIES, SOCIAL SKILLS AND STRONG RELATIONSHIPS TO SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY. 85% OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE BELOW FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES. ENGLISH IS A SECOND LANGUAGE FOR THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN SO THE ADDITIONAL TUTORING AND HOMEWORK HELP IS CRITICAL IN IMPROVING THEIR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL. MOST FAMILIES PAY AS LITTLE AS $6.00 PER WEEK AND MANY RECEIVE FULL SUBSIDY MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH OUR FUNDRAISING AND GRANT ACTIVITIES. THIS REDUCES THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES ON STATE ASSISTANCE AS IT ENABLES PARENTS TO WORK AND KNOW THEIR CHILDREN ARE WELL CARED FOR. THE SUPPORT TUTORING AND ADVENTURE FOR YOUTH PROGRAM (S.T.A.Y.) IS RUN IN ALL FOUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN MANCHESTER. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A STAFF MEMBER IN EACH SCHOOL TO TUTOR, MENTOR AND PROVIDE POSITIVE GROUP WORK EXPERIENCE GEARED AT BUILDING ACADEMIC COMPETENCY, SOCIAL SKILLS AND A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY. THE Y SERVES 100 YOUTH PER YEAR SLOTS PLUS 125 ALUMNI AND FAMILY MEMBERS. THE Y ALSO PROVIDES A SPECIAL PROGRAM CALLED STRIVE FOR SUSPENDED AND EXPELLED STUDENTS. NO PROGRAM CURRENTLY EXISTS IN MANCHESTER TO SUPPORT THEM WHEN THEY ARE OUT OF SCHOOL. THE Y RUNS THE PROGRAM (IN COOPERATION WITH THE MANCHESTER SCHOOL DEPARTMENT) IN THE Y FACILITY (DOWNTOWN MANCHESTER BRANCH) AND PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO COMPLETE THEIR SCHOOL WORK TO STAY ON COURSE WITH THEIR STUDIES, RECEIVE TUTORING HELP, PERFORM COMMUNITY SERVICE AND LEARN WAYS TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SKILLS TO AVOID FURTHER PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL. OVER 100 YOUTH WERE SERVED THIS YEAR. OVER 600 STUDENTS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE Y'S FREE TEEN CENTER LAST YEAR. TEEN CENTER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE TUTORING, MENTORING, DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CHOICES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND HEALTHY COOKING WORKSHOPS AT THE DOWNTOWN MANCHESTER AND THE YMCA ALLARD CENTER BRANCH, LOCATED IN GOFFSTOWN, NH. THE YMCA UTILIZES OVER 1,425 POLICY AND PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION WORK AND GUIDE OUR ORGANIZATION TO ENSURE IT SERVES OUR COMMUNITIES NEEDS. THE YMCA RUNS COMMUNITY FORUMS IN THE SIX COMMUNITIES WHERE OUR FACILITY BRANCHES ARE LOCATED TO ENSURE OUR SERVICES ALIGN WITH THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF EACH COMMUNITY.