Ymca

TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY.

HEALTHY LIVING: THE YMCA OF THE ROSES IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY WITH HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. OUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNITY, INCREASED SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND THE PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF A HEALTHIER, FITTER BODY. WE BELIEVE THAT ALL PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT FROM YMCA WELLNESS PROGRAMS REGARDLESS OF AGE, INCOME, BACKGROUND, OR ABILITY. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE PERSONAL AND GROUP FITNESS CLASSES, A COMPREHENSIVE AQUATICS PROGRAM, NUTRITIONAL CLASSES, AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY ACHIEVE A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE. CONSIDERED OUR MOST WIDE-RANGING PROGRAM, WE OFFER AQUATICS TO MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AT ANY AGE. THROUGH PROGRESSIVE LESSONS, WATER EXERCISE & FITNESS, WATER SAFETY, LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION, A COMPETITIVE SWIM TEAM, AND A MASTER'S SWIM PROGRAM, WE HELP DEVELOP THE WHOLE PERSON, PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY FROM INFANCY TO SENIOR ADULTHOOD. IN ADDITION TO INDOOR POOLS IN FOUR OF OUR FIVE BRANCHES, WE HAVE A SEPARATE STATE-OF-THE-ART AQUATIC FACILITY WITH BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR POOLS. WE PROVIDED SWIM LESSONS TO HUNDREDS OF INNER-CITY YOUTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH TWO LOCAL CHARTER SCHOOLS AND OUR DOWNTOWN CHILD CARE CENTER. DURING JULY, WE ALSO OFFERED FREE SWIM LESSONS AT OUR GRAHAM AQUATIC CENTER TO INNER-CITY YOUTH. WE COLLABORATED WITH TEN OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CITY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH USE OF THE POOL DURING THEIR SUMMER PROGRAMMING AT A DISCOUNTED OR EVEN FREE RATE. THAT COLLABORATION INCLUDED 500 FREE PASSES TO YORK CITY PARKS AND RECREATION FOR THEIR SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS TO UTILIZE OUR OUTDOOR POOL. OUR AQUATIC PROGRAM IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST THE TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS; IT IS ABOUT BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS, DEVELOPING SELF-ESTEEM, AND CREATING POSITIVE EXPERIENCES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME. AS PART OF OUR DEDICATION TO BUILDING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY, OUR SOUTHERN BRANCH YMCA PROVIDED FREE SWIM LESSONS TO SECOND GRADERS AS A PART OF THE FISHES PROGRAM (FREE INSTRUCTIONAL SWIM HELPS EVERY SECOND-GRADER). THE PURPOSE OF FISHES, TO BUILD LIFE-SAVING SWIMMING & WATER SAFETY SKILLS IN CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY, FURTHER ILLUSTRATES THAT COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA ALLOWS CANCER PATIENTS AND SURVIVORS TO REGAIN THEIR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL STRENGTH OVER 12 WEEKS. WE OFFERED THIS TO OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS AT NO CHARGE. THE YMCA'S DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM, A COMMUNITY-BASED LIFESTYLE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH PREDIABETES, EMPOWERS THEM WITH LASTING LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL HEALTH AND REDUCE THEIR RISK OF DEVELOPING TYPE 2 DIABETES. HEALTHY WEIGHT AND YOUR CHILD IS A 25-SESSION PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON HEALTHY EATING, REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE TO EMPOWER CHILDREN TO LIVE HEALTHIER AND MORE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES.ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY EDUCATION SESSIONS PROVIDED CARE, EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT TO THOSE AFFECTED BY ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA AND PARTNERED WITH THE YMCA TO OFFER FREE, ONE-HOUR EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS TO ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.BECAUSE THE YMCA IS A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION, AND WE BELIEVE OUR SERVICES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE, WE OFFER "MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL," OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. FIRMLY ALIGNING WITH OUR MISSION, MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL IS AN INCOME-BASED PRICING STRATEGY THROUGH WHICH WE CAN PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEALTHIER SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY TO ALL, REGARDLESS OF INCOME. THE YMCA ALSO OFFERS A FREE TEMPORARY MEMBERSHIP EXTENSION TO ANY MEMBER EXPERIENCING LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT AND FREE MEMBERSHIPS TO ELIGIBLE MILITARY FAMILIES AND PERSONNEL. OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE BARRIERS TO HEALTHY LIVING FOR ALL KIDS & FAMILIES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. IN THE CURRENT YEAR, WE PROMOTED HEALTHY LIVING BY SERVING 42,000 INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDED DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF $152,833.

CHILD CARE: THE YMCA OF THE ROSES OFFERS DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR INFANTS TO SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN THROUGH A FULL-DAY NAEYC-ACCREDITED CHILD CARE PROGRAM, A FULL-DAY PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM, AND MULTIPLE DPW LICENSED SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE LOCATIONS, SOME OF WHICH HAVE ACHIEVED KEYSTONE STARS DESIGNATIONS. THE PRE-KINDERGARTEN COUNTS IS A FREE STATE-SPONSORED PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LANCASTER TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY PRE-KINDERGARTEN SERVICES AT NO COST TO FAMILIES. THE YMCA CHILD CARE SERVICES OFFER QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CARE FOR FAMILIES, MANY OF WHOM WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THEIR EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT OUR SERVICES. OUR ENRICHED CURRICULUM INCLUDES LANGUAGE ARTS, NUMBERS, SCIENCE, MUSIC, ARTS & HUMANITIES, GYMNASTICS, AND SWIMMING. A CARING AND NURTURING STAFF OFFERS ACTIVITIES IN A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. OUR 13-SITE SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFE, SUPERVISED, ENRICHED PROGRAMMING IN 9 SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT OUR SERVICE AREA. THESE SITES HELP MEET A COMMUNITY'S NEED FOR PRODUCTIVE, STRUCTURED AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. WE PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE. TRAINED STAFF PROVIDES HOMEWORK SUPERVISION, CRAFTS, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT ALL OUR SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE LOCATIONS. WE PARTNER WITH OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES SUCH AS THE UNITED WAY OF YORK COUNTY, PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS TURNED AWAY DUE TO AN INABILITY TO PAY. IN 2021, WE OFFERED CHILD CARE FOR MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN AND GAVE DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF $105,842.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: AT THE YMCA OF THE ROSES, WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENGAGING YOUTH IN YEAR-ROUND ASSET-BUILDING ACTIVITIES RESULTING IN PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY WHO HAVE LIFE-LONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE YMCA. OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS REDUCE RISKY BEHAVIORS, PROMOTE A SENSE OF BELONGING, AND PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WHERE KIDS LEARN LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND CHARACTER. WE BELIEVE THAT BY DEVELOPING CRITICAL SKILLS AND CHARACTER IN YOUTH, WE ARE HELPING THEM TO GROW UP TO BECOME HEALTHY, CARING, AND PROSPEROUS ADULTS. YMCA YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS PROVIDE YOUTH WITH POSITIVE ACTIVITIES AND CARING ADULT ATTENTION. YOUTH SPORTS ARE OFFERED AT OUR FIVE BRANCHES AND INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: BASKETBALL, SOCCER, T-BALL, BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, FLAG FOOTBALL, LACROSSE, AND GIRLS' CLUB VOLLEYBALL. THESE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOSTER POSITIVE COMPETITION, TEAMWORK, AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT. SPECIALTY SPORTS CAMPS ARE OFFERED FOR MORE SPECIALIZED AND HIGHER-LEVEL INSTRUCTION IN BASEBALL, GYMNASTICS, BASKETBALL, SOCCER, SOFTBALL, AND VOLLEYBALL. OUR Y ACHIEVERS PROGRAM HELPS SOCIO-ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED YOUTH DEVELOP A POSITIVE SENSE OF SELF AND SETS HIGH EDUCATION AND CAREER GOALS. DURING THE OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, MENTORS EXPOSE PARTICIPANTS TO VARIOUS CAREERS, ASSIST WITH SAT/ACT TEST PREPARATION, AND IMPART POSITIVE AND APPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS FOR YOUTH AND TEENS TO MODEL. STUDENTS ALSO GO ON COLLEGE TOURS, PREPARING THEM FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. THE YMCA IS COMMITTED TO OFFERING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INTENDED TO ADDRESS ACADEMIC AND GENDER GAPS EXPERIENCED BY DISADVANTAGED YOUTH. THE YMCA'S ACHIEVEMENT GAP INITIATIVE TARGETS THE ROOT ISSUES OF EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITY THROUGH THE SUMMER LEARNING LOSS PREVENTION PROGRAM (SLLP), A SIX-WEEK, FULL-DAY PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME CHILDREN. THE SLLP PROGRAM SUPPORTS DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN'S LITERACY AND ACADEMIC PROGRESS TO MITIGATE SUMMER LEARNING LOSS. THE GIRLS WHO CODE (GWC) PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO CLOSING THE GENDER GAP IN THE TECHNOLOGY FIELD. GWC IS A FREE PROGRAM FOR 6TH-10TH GRADE GIRLS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP AND NURTURE THEIR INTEREST IN STEM.WE OFFER A HIGH-QUALITY SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A SAFE, VALUES-DRIVEN ENVIRONMENT TO KEEP YOUTH ENGAGED, ACTIVE, AND LEARNING THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. WE PROVIDE CHILDREN AGES FIVE TO 15 WITH SUMMER ADVENTURES THAT PROMOTE A HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. CHILDREN SPEND TIME INDOORS AND OUTDOORS AS EXPERIENCED STAFF LEADS CAMPERS IN VARIOUS DAILY ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING ARTS & CRAFTS, GAMES, SPORTS & FITNESS ACTIVITIES, INSTRUCTIONAL & RECREATIONAL SWIMMING, AND WEEKLY OFF-SITE FIELD TRIPS. OUR DAY CAMP ALLOWS YOUTH TO HAVE FUN AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS WHILE PARTICIPATING IN CHARACTER-BUILDING, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AND HEALTHY LIVING ACTIVITIES. IN THE CURRENT YEAR, THE YMCA PROMOTED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT TO OVER 1,000 YOUTH AND PROVIDED DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF $49,063."