Alexandria Area Young Mens Christian Association

TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THAT BUILD A HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL.

OUR YMCA IS COMMITTED TO NURTURING THE BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT OF EVERY CHILD, TEEN AND ADULT. OUR YMCA PROVIDES A VARIETY OF WELLNESS PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE REDUCE THEIR RISK FOR CHRONIC DISEASES AND OFFER THEM ACCESS TO TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO HELP INDIVIDUALS RECLAIM AND SUSTAIN POSITIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS OUR COMMUNITY STRUGGLES WITH OBESITY, MENTAL HEALTH AND CHRONIC DISEASE, FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. OUR FACILITY IS ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES AND INCOME LEVELS THANKS TO OUR ANNUAL CAMPAIGN. IN 2021, OUR YMCA LAUNCHED ENHANCEFITNESS, A FREE, EVIDENCE-BASED GROUP EXERCISE AND FALLS PREVENTION PROGRAM, TO HELP 81 OLDER ADULTS AT ALL LEVELS OF FITNESS BECOME MORE ACTIVE, ENERGIZED, AND EMPOWERED TO SUSTAIN INDEPENDENT LIVES. THE ALEXANDRIA AREA YMCA INCLUDES A LAP POOL THAT IS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE, WHIRLPOOL, INDOOR RUN-WALK TRACK, FULLY EQUIPPED WELLNESS CENTER WITH CARDIO AND WEIGHT TRAINING EQUIPMENT, TWO GROUP FITNESS SPACES, GYMNASIUM WITH BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL AND PICKLEBALL COURTS AND SUPERVISED CHILD WATCH TO THOSE WITH FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS.

OUR YMCA IS COMMITTED TO NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN. WE BELIEVE THAT ALL KIDS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. CHILDREN BEGIN THEIR YMCA EXPERIENCE AT 6 WEEKS OF AGE AND CONTINUE TO GROW AND DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS AND LIFE SKILLS THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE SWIM LESSONS, DAY CAMP, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, YOUTH SPORTS, HOME SCHOOL PHYSICAL-EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE. IN 2021, YMCA CHILDCARE SERVES OVER 180 CHILDREN EACH DAY. YMCA CHILDCARE IS STAFFED WITH CARING ADULTS WHO UNDERSTAND THE COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF KIDS, THE NEED CHILDREN HAVE TO FEEL CONNECTED AND SUPPORTED, AND THE CARING AND REINFORCEMENT PARENTS AND FAMILIES NEED TO HELP EACH OTHER. IN 2021, 240 CHILDREN CELEBRATED BIRTHDAYS IN OUR FACILITY, 685 CHILDREN LEARNED TO SWIM, 28 CHILDREN RECEIVED HOME SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION, 749 CHILDREN VISITED CHILD WATCH AND OVER 150 CHILDREN HAD THE BEST SUMMER EVER AT YMCA DAY CAMP. PARTICIPATION IN YMCA PROGRAMS GIVES CHILDREN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS AND SKILLS THAT CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CLASSROOM, WORKPLACE AND BEYOND.

OUR YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HELPS THOSE IN NEED BECOME ACTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. QUALIFIED MEMBERS CAN RECEIVE UP TO A 75% REDUCTION IN MEMBERSHIPS OR PROGRAMS. IN 2021, THE YMCA PROVIDED OVER $14,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO OVER 230 PEOPLE. IN APPRECIATION OF OUR COMMUNITY'S BEAUTIFUL LAKES, WE TRAINED 13 LIFEGUARDS WHO SERVE OUR POOL TO ENSURE SAFETY AROUND WATER. IN ADDITION, WE TRAINED 87 STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN FIRST AID, CPR AND AED TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES. IN RESPONSE TO MANDATORY CHILDCARE CLASSROOM CLOSURES DUE TO COVID-19 EXPOSURES, OUR YMCA SUBSIDIZED $67,632 IN CHILD CARE TUITION TO EASE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN TO PARENTS AND FAMILIES.