Raritan Valley Y M C A

THE RARITAN VALLEY YMCA IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING STRONG KIDS, STRONG FAMILIES AND STRONG COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR AREA. IT IS A CHARITABLE, NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WELCOMES ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, RELIGION, OR ECONOMIC STATUS AND STRIVES TO ENRICH EACH AND EVERY LIFE THROUGH A UNIQUE, DYNAMIC COMBINATION OF PROGRAMS THAT STRENGTHEN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. THE RARITAN VALLEY YMCA EMBRACES THE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: 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 BY CONTRIBUTING TO THE 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS OF A CHILD. THAT'S WHY WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CULTIVATE THE VALUES, SKILLS, AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH, AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. OUR YMCA PROGRAMS, SUCH AS CHILDCARE, DAY CAMP, YOUTH SPORTS, INSTRUCTIONAL SPORTS AND SWIM, AND SWIM TEAM PROGRAMS, OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. OUR COMMITMENT INCLUDES SUBSIDIES AND DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT MAKE PARTICIPATION POSSIBLE FOR UP TO 30 PERCENT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE ENGAGE.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: AT THE Y, STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY IS OUR CAUSE. WE BELIEVE THAT LASTING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE CAN ONLY COME ABOUT WHEN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO INVEST IN OUR KIDS, OUR HEALTH, AND OUR NEIGHBORS. THAT IS WHY WE FOCUS OUR WORK ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. CHILDREN'S SOCIAL EMOTIONAL, AND PERSONAL GROWTH ARE FOSTERED THROUGH OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS PARTICULARLY THROUGH CHILDCARE, CAMPING AND COMPETITIVE SPORTS. YOUNG STAFF, COLLEGE INTERNS, AND YOUTH VOLUNTEERS ARE ALSO TRAINED, MOLDED AND DEVELOPED TO BE SOCIALLY AWARE AND RESPONSIBLE. THIS IS DEMONSTRATED AS WE INVEST OUR TIME AND ENERGY INTO ACCOMMODATING COLLEGE INTERNS, YOUTH WORK STUDY PROGRAMS, SCOUTING AWARD PROJECTS, AND COUNSELOR IN TRAINING PROGRAMS. OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HEALTHY LIVING IS EVIDENCED BY THE FREE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS WE CONDUCT, INCLUDING HEALTH WORKSHOPS, HEALTHY KIDS DAY, FREE BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEALTH SCREENINGS, SENIOR WELLNESS PROGRAMS, AND FREE ACCESS TO OUR FACILITY TO THOSE IN NEED. OUR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY EXTENDS BEYOND SERVICE TO OUR MEMBERSHIP. OUR BUILDING IS HOME TO 3 CHURCHES, SERVES AS A COMMUNITY MEETING PLACE, AND IS AND ACTIVE CENTER FOR BOY AND GIRL SCOUTS PROGRAMMING. WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS INCLUDING DROWNING/WATER SAFETY, FOOD INSECURITY, HOMELESSNESS, AND CHILDCARE VOIDS. WE BRIDGE GAPS, OVERCOME OBSTACLES, AND TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY THROUGH OUR WORK AT THE Y! IN RESPONSE TO THE 2020 PANDEMIC, THE Y RESPONDED WITH A WEEKLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION.

HEALTHY LIVING: THE Y IS A LEADING VOICE ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE BRING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH, AND FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. AS A RESULT, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND RESOURCES TO ACHIEVE GREATER HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS OUR NATION STRUGGLES WITH AN OBESITY CRISIS AND RELATED CHRONIC ILLNESSES. FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH WORK/LIFE BALANCE, AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT, YET AT THE YMCA THEY FIND A HEALTHY AND SAFE OUTLET. PROGRAMS SUCH AS GROUP EXERCISE AND AQUATIC OFFERINGS, FITNESS TRAINING, SENIOR SOCIALS, HEALTH SCREENINGS AND EDUCATIONAL WELLNESS PROGRAMS, AND THE Y GARDENS HAVE PROVIDED OUTLETS FOR HEALTHY LIVING.