Greater Burlington Young Mens Christian Association Inc

THE YMCA BUILDS A STRONG COMMUNITY BY INVOLVING YOUTH, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES IN PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT HELP THEM LEARN, GROW, AND THRIVE. WE STRIVE TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION BY OFFERING BOTH DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIZED AND FREE PROGRAMS.

OUR YMCA SUPPORTS CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AT EVERY STAGE-FROM OUR INFANT AND TODDLER PROGRAMS STARTING AT AGE EIGHT WEEKS; TO OUR HIGH-QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS; TO AFTERSCHOOL AND CAMPS; TO COUNSELORS IN TRAINING PROGRAMS WHICH ENCOURAGE TEENAGERS TO BE LEADERS AND ROLE MODELS. IN 2021, 1,144 KIDS ATTENDED OUR SUMMER CAMPS, AND WE OFFERED AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AT EIGHT SITES IN FOUR COUNTIES. OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM FORMED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT'S COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO BE A "LAB" SCHOOL TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS AND TO BETTER PREPARE THEM TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM ALSO HIRED A FULL-TIME SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICES COORDINATOR TO BE ON-SITE AND PROVIDE EXTRA SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

HEALTHY LIVING: THE Y BELIEVES THAT BEING HEALTHY MEANS MORE THAN SIMPLY BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE-IT'S ABOUT MAINTAINING A BALANCED SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. WE ARE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE COME TO WORK TOWARD THAT BALANCE. OUR AQUATICS PROGRAM PROVIDES VITAL WATER SAFETY CLASSES AND SWIM LESSONS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS, AND ADAPTED EXERCISE FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES OR IN REHABILITATION. IN 2021, WE SAW A 50% GROWTH IN OUR MEMBERSHIP WHICH HAD TAKEN A SIGNIFICANT HIT DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PANDEMIC. WE HAD 261 CHILDREN, TWEENS, AND TEENS PARTICIPATE IN FREE WATER SAFETY CLASSES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT TRIO UPWARD BOUND, KING STREET CENTER, AND SHADER CROFT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL PROVIDES A SPACE FOR STUDENTS' PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. AND WE PROVIDED STAFFING/LIFEGUARDING SUPPORT TO THE CITY OF WINOOSKI WITH THE RE-OPENING OF THEIR MUNICIPAL POOL (MYERS POOL) IN SUMMER 2021.

THE Y'S COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH FOSTERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEANINGFUL, POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT AMONG ALL AGES, SOCIO-ECONOMIC GROUPS, RACES, AND RELIGIONS. IT IS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND COMMON GROUND AND BECOME PART OF A COMMUNITY. THE Y CONTINUES TO WORK TOWARDS BEING A PLACE WHERE "EVERYONE BELONGS" BY PRIORITIZING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) WORK. IN 2021, STAFF PARTICIPATED IN 1,090 HOURS OF DEI TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS. THE Y IS COMMITTED TO MAKING OUR PROGRAMS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL: LAST YEAR, WE PROVIDED MORE THAN $324,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS, AND 42% OF CHILDREN IN OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS RECEIVED FINANCIAL AID.