The Greater Morristown Ymca Inc

THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA, FOUNDED IN 1874 IN THE CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS OF HONESTY, RESPECT, CARING, AND SERVICE TO OTHERS, SEEKS TO ENHANCE THE CHARACTER AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING ACTIVITIES TO ENRICH THEIR SPIRITUAL, MENTAL, AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING.

CHILDCARE WE ARE PART OF ONE OF THE LARGEST NON-PROFIT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN THE COUNTRY, THE YMCA OF THE USA. THE YMCA IS AN INTERNATIONAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH ALMOST 3,000 FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. ALTHOUGH THE YMCA IS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS FITNESS AND AQUATICS FACILITIES, THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA'S PHILANTHROPIC FOCUS IS CHILDCARE. THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA HAS A RICH TRADITION OF CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND CURRENTLY MANAGES THREE CENTERS THAT ARE COLLECTIVELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAILY CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION OF OVER 350 CHILDREN, A DRASTIC REDUCTION FROM OUR PRE-PANDEMIC ENROLLMENT OF OVER 650 CHILDREN. OUR CENTERS ARE ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC), A DISTINCTION ONLY 7% OF ALL CHILDCARE CENTERS NATIONALLY RECEIVE. IN FACT, WE WERE THE FIRST YMCA IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO RECEIVE THIS ACCREDITATION INITIALLY SOME 25 YEARS AGO AND WE HAVE MAINTAINED IT SINCE VIA A RIGOROUS EVALUATION PROCESS WHICH TAKES PLACE EVERY FOUR YEARS. AS A RESULT, OVER 90% OF OUR STUDENTS PASS OR EXCEED THE MORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING KINDERGARTEN. OUR CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOL CENTERS INCLUDE THE RICHARD F. BLAKE CHILDREN'S CENTER IN CEDAR KNOLLS, (OPERATED SINCE 1988), CHILDREN'S CORNER AT MORRISTOWN MEDICAL CENTER (OPERATED SINCE 1996), AND ANGELA'S PLACE (OPENED IN 2020). THE RICHARD F. BLAKE CHILDREN'S CENTER AND CHILDREN'S CORNER PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND, EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND PRESCHOOLERS. ANGELA'S PLACE PROVIDES PRESCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-4 THAT ARE PART OF THE MORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT FREE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM. OUR CHILDCARE CENTERS HELP YOUNGSTERS GAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SOCIAL SKILLS WHILE DEVELOPING POSITIVE ATTITUDES ABOUT SCHOOL AND LEARNING. OUR PROGRAM ALLOWS PARENTS TO GO TO WORK WITH PEACE OF MIND, KNOWING THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE BEING CARED FOR IN A SAFE, STRUCTURED, AND FUN ENVIRONMENT. COLLECTIVELY, WITH AN AVERAGE OF 10 YEARS TENURE, OUR CENTERS EXCEED THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF TENURE FOR PRESCHOOL TEACHERS, AN UNPRECEDENTED AVERAGE IN THE FIELD OF CHILDCARE. IN SEPTEMBER 2020 WE OPENED ANGELA'S PLACE, A SATELLITE CENTER OF THE RICHARD F. BLAKE CHILDREN'S CENTER. THIS CENTER WAS OPENED IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE THE EXPANDED FREE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM WE HAVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT. CHILDREN AGES 3 AND 4 WHO, VIA LOTTERY, HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THIS CENTER, ATTEND SCHOOL MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 9AM TO 3PM, FROM SEPTEMBER TO JUNE. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THIS FACILITY IS USED AS PART OF FOR OUR SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM. IT IS OUR MISSION TO ENSURE NO CHILD IN OUR COMMUNITIES IS DEPRIVED OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION. MANY UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN OUR AREA RUN THE RISK OF BEGINNING KINDERGARTEN AT A DISADVANTAGE WHEN PLACED IN A CLASSROOM WITH THEIR MORE FORTUNATE PEERS. PRESCHOOL REMAINS FUNDAMENTAL TO A CHILD'S ACADEMIC, SOCIAL, AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENT. THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA ENSURES THAT THIS VERY NECESSARY EARLY EDUCATION IS POSSIBLE AS IT TURNS NO CHILD AWAY FROM ITS CHILDCARE PROGRAMS, REGARDLESS OF HIS OR HER FAMILY'S ABILITY TO PAY. WHILE MANY FOR-PROFIT CHILDCARE CENTERS REGARD IT AS A BUSINESS, OUR YMCA REGARDS IT AS OUR VOCATION AND MISSION. TO DATE, THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN HAVE RECEIVED FULL DAY CHILDCARE WHEN THEY DID NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO PAY FOR IT.

HEALTHY LIFE STYLE/FITNESS: THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA CONTINUES TO BE A FITNESS LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR FACILITIES AND OUR HEALTH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS ALIKE ARE INDISPENSABLE TO MANY MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL AGE GROUPS IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR HEALTH PROGRAMS ARE MEDICALLY-BASED AND PROMOTE THE VALUE OF PREVENTION THROUGH GOOD EXERCISE HABITS, NUTRITION, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. WE HAVE TAKEN STRIDES TO ENSURE THAT OUR FACILITIES ARE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE AS WELL AS FAMILY AND SENIOR-CITIZEN FRIENDLY. PRE-PANDEMIC, WE OFFERED MORE THAN 120 FREE FITNESS PROGRAMS WEEKLY INCLUDING YOGA, CIRCUIT TRAINING, WEIGHT TRAINING, SPIN, AND PILATES TO NAME A FEW. WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH LOCAL AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE OUR SERVICES TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED. WE ALSO PROVIDE REDUCED MEMBERSHIPS TO ACTIVE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA IS A HAVEN FOR A CROSS SECTION OF THE MORRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY. FROM AGES 6 MONTHS TO 96+ YEARS, OUR YMCA HAS PROVIDED SERVICES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ALL SINCE 1874 AND CONTINUES TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FABRIC OF THE GREATER MORRISTOWN AREA INTO THE 21ST CENTURY. AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC COUPLED WITH THE CONTINUOUS STIMULUS PAYMENTS, OUR CURRENT WEEKLY CLASS OFFERINGS HOVER AT 75 CLASSES PER WEEK. WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR INSTRUCTORS TO INCREASE OUR CLASS OFFERINGS, HOWEVER, WE HAVE STILL NOT RETURNED TO OUR PRE-PANDEMIC OFFERING OF 120 FREE WEEKLY CLASSES.

SUMMER CAMP THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA HAS OPERATED ITS SUMMER CAMP FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS AT THE YMCA'S FACILITY IN CEDAR KNOLLS. IN 2016 WE OPENED THE Y-ZONE YOUTH ANNEX, A BRAND-NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY TO HOUSE OUR EXPANDING CAMP PROGRAM. PRE-PANDEMIC, OUR CAMP PROVIDED MORE THAN 550 CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF THREE AND THIRTEEN, A SUMMER OF SAFE, FUN, AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES. IN 2021 WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 360 CHILDREN ENROLLED, UP FROM 140 IN 2020. COVID TRANSMISSION WAS STILL A CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND ALSO THE FACT THAT MANY WORKING PARENTS WERE STILL HOME. OUR CAMP PROGRAMS ARE EDUCATIONAL; THEY PROMOTE MENTAL STIMULATION, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL GROWTH, AND RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. WE ORGANIZE AND RUN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES MAKING USE OF OUR FACILITY AND THE SURROUNDING THREE ACRES. THE CAMP AIMS TO ASSIST PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL AND SERVES AS CHILDCARE FOR WORKING PARENTS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. PRE-PANDEMIC OUR CAMPERS ENJOYED WEEKLY FIELD TRIPS AND SWIMMING AT THE YMCA, HOWEVER, LAST YEAR WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO OFFER SWIMMING DUE TO COVID CAMP RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE SUMMER CAMPS OPERATED BY THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA HAVE BECOME A STAPLE IN THE MORRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY, WITH MANY CHILDREN RETURNING ANNUALLY. OUR LITTLE OWLS (AGES 3-5) AND KINDERCAMP (FOR THOSE ENTERING KINDERGARTEN IN SEPTEMBER) RUN FROM 8:00AM - 5:00PM WHICH IS CONDUCIVE TO WORKING PARENTS. OUR CAMPS INCLUDE THEMED WEEKS, ATTRACTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTS AND NEEDS. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EXPLORATION OF NATURE, SPORTS, STEM PROGRAMS, MUSIC, SWIMMING LESSONS, AND SO MUCH MORE. OUR CAMP IS A SAFE, PRODUCTIVE, AND FUN WAY FOR KIDS TO SPEND THE SUMMER MONTHS, GAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE, LEARN NEW SKILLS, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, CREATE LIFELONG MEMORIES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO SO WHILE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. IN 2021 ALONE, 35 CHILDREN RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE TO ATTEND OUR SUMMER CAMP THROUGH OUR ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN. THOSE SAME COUNTY AGENCIES MENTIONED IN A "REPORT OF CURRENT ACTIVITIES", SEEK OUR ASSISTANCE EVERY SUMMER TO PROVIDE CAMP FOR THE CHILDREN OF THEIR CLIENTS. PRESCHOOL SWIM PROGRAM THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA HAS A VERY ACTIVE AQUATICS PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY SKILLS AS WELL AS PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH VIA REGULAR EXERCISE. CHILDREN FROM OUR CHILDCARE CENTERS RECEIVE FREE WEEKLY SWIM LESSONS AT OUR YMCA. IT IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY THAT ALL THE ENROLLED PRESCHOOLERS IN OUR CARE MASTER THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SWIMMING BY THE TIME THEY GRADUATE FROM OUR PRESCHOOL AND HEAD INTO KINDERGARTEN. IT IS PROVEN THAT KNOWING HOW TO SWIM SAVES LIVES. ACCORDING TO THE CDC, MORE THAN ONE IN FIVE FATAL DROWNING VICTIMS ARE CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 14. MANY OF OUR PRESCHOOLERS ARE MINORITIES AND CHILDREN WHO COME FROM NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING HOUSEHOLDS. ACCORDING TO THE USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION AND THE CDC, 70% OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AND 60% OF HISPANIC/LATINO CHILDREN CANNOT SWIM. FURTHER, AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN DROWN AT A RATE NEARLY THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN THEIR CAUCASIAN PEERS AND THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGES OF SIX IS DROWNING. THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA TAKES THESE STATISTICS VERY SERIOUSLY AND IS COMMITTED TO HELP THE UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN OF MORRIS COUNTY LEARN HOW TO SWIM, A LIFESAVING SKILL THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT THEM FOR YEARS TO COME. EVERY WEEK, OUR PRESCHOOLERS HEAD TO THE YMCA TO ATTEND SWIM LESSONS. THE CLASSES ARE 30 MINUTES IN LENGTH AND THE CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT BASIC SKILLS FOR IN AND OUT OF THE WATER. WE FIND THAT THE CHILDREN WHO START OUR SWIM PROGRAM IN PRESCHOOL 2 (AGES 3 & 4) ARE USUALLY ABLE TO SWIM THE LENGTH OF THE POOL USING FREESTYLE AND BACKSTROKE BY THE TIME THEY GRADUATE PRESCHOOL. BECAUSE WE TRULY BELIEVE IN TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO SWIM, WE PROVIDE IT FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL OF OUR ENROLLED PRESCHOOLERS. THERE ARE FOUR SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, 11 CLASSES IN EACH. ON AVERAGE, 140 PRESCHOOLERS RECEIVE 44 FREE LESSONS PER YEAR, AMOUNTING TO OVER $90,000 PER YEAR (INCLUDES LESSON FEE, INSTRUCTOR FEES, BUSING, LIFEGUARDS, ETC.) THE COST PER CHILD, PER YEAR, TO LEARN HOW TO SWIM IS SOME $700. IN 2021, DUE TO COVID RULES AND REGULATIONS, THIS LIFE SAVING PROGRAM WAS SUSPENDED FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR AND WAS RECENTLY REINSTATED IN MARCH 2022.

BEFORE CARE / AFTER CARE / ADVENTURE DAYS THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA MANAGES A BEFORE AND AFTER-SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM FOR THE MORRIS PLAINS SCHOOL DISTRICT. PRE-PANDMIC, MORE THAN 140 CHILDREN ATTENDED THE K-8 PROGRAM WHERE WE OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE SERVICE, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN FROM JERSEY BATTERED WOMEN'S SHELTER. OUR ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2020/2021 SCHOOL YEAR HOVERED AROUND 25-28 CHILDREN, A DRASTIC REDUCTION FROM OUR NORMAL ENROLLMENT OF 140 CHILDREN. ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2021/2022 SCHOOL YEAR IS 89. OUR STRUCTURED AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SUPPLEMENTS THE FORMAL EDUCATION BY PROVIDING THE CHILDREN WITH HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, TUTORING, AND HEALTH AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES DAILY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 2:0045 AND 6:00 PM. THESE CHILDREN ARE IN THE HANDS OF QUALIFIED CAREGIVERS. IN 2020/2021, DUE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S POLICIES AND THE FACT THAT MANY PARENTS WERE STILL WORKING FROM HOME, THE BEFORE CARE PROGRAM WAS SUSPENDED, HOWEVER IT WAS REINSTATE FOR THE 2021/2022 SCHOOL YEAR. THE YMCA SPONSORS ADVENTURE DAYS ON DAYS WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS CLOSED FOR RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS, PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES, HALF DAYS, ETC. THIS AFFORDABLE ALL-DAY CHILDCARE PROGRAM, HELD AT OUR Y-ZONE YOUTH ANNEX, ENABLES WORKING PARENTS TO ATTEND WORK AND REMAIN PRODUCTIVE WHILE THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN AN ACTIVE, SECURE, AND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. ADVENTURE DAYS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE A MEMBER OF THE YMCA. PRE-PANDEMIC, APPROXIMATELY 20-30 CHILDREN WOULD REGISTER PER ADVENTURE DAY. IN 2020/2021, THIS PROGRAM WAS SUSPENDED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, HOWEVER WAS REINSTATED FOR THE 2021/2022 SCHOOL YEAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 25 CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE. ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN OUR ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN IS A COMMUNITY-BASED FUNDRAISING EFFORT TARGETED FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WE OFFER THROUGH CHILDCARE SCHOLARSHIPS POSITIVELY IMPACTS THIS LOCAL POPULATION BY GIVING ACCESS TO A QUALITY CHILDCARE PROGRAM THAT THESE DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES COULD NOT OTHERWISE AFFORD. THIS ACCESS TO TOP-NOTCH DAY CARE SERVICES ALLOWS FAMILIES OR SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT, SHORTENED HOURS, JOBS THAT DO NOT PAY ENOUGH TO MEET THE DAILY COSTS OR BALANCING JOBS WITH CHILDCARE RESPONSIBILITIES TO BECOME AND REMAIN PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. IT ALSO PRESENTS PRESCHOOLERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL POSITIVELY SHAPE THEIR EDUCATION, THEIR HEALTH, AND THEIR LIVES. EVERY YEAR, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS COME TO US SEEKING SERVICES THAT THEY NEED BUT CANNOT ENTIRELY AFFORD. THROUGH ECONOMIC UPS AND DOWNS, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO TURNING NO ONE AWAY FOR THEIR INABILITY TO PAY, BUT THE CHALLENGE IS GREAT. WE PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS RANGING FROM 20%-90% OF THE COST OF SERVICES SUCH AS Y MEMBERSHIP, CHILDCARE, BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE, SUMMER CAMP, AND MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM ASSISTANCE, HELPING TO SUBSIDIZE THE DIFFERENCE AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY MAKES THEIR CONTRIBUTION. FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT, SHORTENED HOURS, JOBS THAT DO NOT PAY ENOUGH TO MEET DAILY COSTS, ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND VALUABLE PROGRAM, BRINGS ENORMOUS, PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL RELIEF. FOR THE PAST 35 YEARS, THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA HAS RAISED MONEY THROUGH OUR ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN AND GOLF OUTING FOR SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE. AS STATED ABOVE, WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE BY SUBSIDIZING THE COSTS OF CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES RANGING FROM 20-90%, DEPENDING ON ABILITY TO PAY. ANNUALLY, WE AWARD ON AVERAGE BETWEEN $500,000-$600,000 IN ASSISTANCE TO OUR MORRIS COUNTY NEIGHBORS. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, OUR 2020 / 2021 OUTINGS WERE CANCELLED.