Decatur Shelby County Ymca Inc

THE DECATUR SHELBY COUNTY YMCA IS A CHARITABLE, COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION THAT INCLUDES MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES, INCOMES, RACES AND RELIGIONS. OUR MISSION IS TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. THE Y IS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN; FOR HEALTHY LIVING, IMPROVING THE NATION'S HEALTH AND WELL BEING; AND FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, GIVING BACK AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OUR NEIGHBORS. ALL PERSONS ARE WELCOME AT OUR YMCA, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. OUR YMCA IS FOUNDED AND LED BY VOLUNTEERS FROM OUR COMMUNITY; VOLUNTEERS ALSO SERVE AS MENTORS, COACHES, PROGRAM LEADERS, INSTRUCTORS AND MORE.

HEALTHY LIVING - THE Y IS A LEADING VOICE ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE BRING FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH, AND FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN, AND SHARED INTERESTS. LAST YEAR WE SERVED MORE THAN 11,200 PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY; THE Y PROVIDES THE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO ACHIEVE GREATER HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS OUR NATION STRUGGLES WITH AN OBESITY CRISIS, FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH WORK/LIFE BALANCE, AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. IN 2021, WE CONTINUED TO ENHANCE OUR 3 EXISTING CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, A DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM, A BLOOD PRESSURE SELF-MONITORING PROGRAM, AND OUR PARKINSON'S PROGRAM WHICH EMPOWERS THOSE LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE TO OPTIMIZE THEIR PHYSICAL FUNCTION AND HELP DELAY THE PROGRESSION OF SYMPTOMS. DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM: THE PROGRAM WAS BENEFICIAL WITH PARTICIPANTS HAVING SUCCESS LOSING WEIGHT AND INCREASING THEIR ACTIVITY LEVEL. OUR PARKINSON'S EXERCISE PARTICIPANTS HAVE REPORTED IMPROVEMENTS IN POSTURE, STRENGTH, BALANCE, AND WALKING ABILITY; CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH MEASURES HAVE ALSO IMPROVED. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES, AND INCOME LEVELS. IN 2021, WE PROVIDED $75,900 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FACED ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION. WE OFFER A VARIETY OF WATER EXERCISE AND AQUA ARTHRITIS CLASSES. THE ARTHRITIS PROGRAM KEEPS SENIORS AND ADULTS ACTIVE AND FLEXIBLE; OUR SWIM LESSONS HELPS TO DEVELOP PHYSICAL SKILLS IN TODDLERS AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN; OUR FAMILY SWIM PROGRAM GIVES ADULTS AND CHILDREN SHARED TIME IN THE POOL TO APPRECIATE ONE ANOTHER AND PROMOTE INTER-GENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. IN 2021 WE WERE ABLE TO ENROLL 41 PARTICIPANTS IN OUR GRANT FUNDED SAFETY AROUND WATER CLASSES WHICH AIDS IN DROWNING PREVENTION. OUR SERVICES ARE OFFERED AT AFFORDABLE FEES FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, WITH REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE FULL FEE. OUR YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR MORE THAN 106 YEARS. Y PROGRAMS, SUCH AS SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM, AFTER-SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMS AND WEEKEND FEEDING PROGRAMS, ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW WE DELIVER TRAINING, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT THAT EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS TO AFFECT CHANGE, BRIDGE GAPS, AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES. THE Y HELPS TO FIGHT THE ON-GOING HUNGER ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITY. DURING 2021 THE Y SERVED A TOTAL OF 27,898 MEALS.

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. 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 AFTER-SCHOOL, PRESCHOOL, SUMMER DAY CAMP, YOUTH SPORTS, AQUATICS AND OUR 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER (CCLC) AFTER SCHOOL INITIATIVE (ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT) PROGRAMS, OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. EXPENSES INCLUDE SUBSIDIES AND DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT MAKE PARTICIPATION POSSIBLE FOR 34% PERCENT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE ENGAGE. STATISTICS SHOW THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME ENVIRONMENTS REACH KINDERGARTEN UNPREPARED AND THAT THEY CONTINUE TO FALL BEHIND IN SCHOOL WITHOUT PROPER INTERVENTIONS. THIS IS KNOWN AS THE "ACHIEVEMENT GAP." OUR PRESCHOOL SCHOOL, AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER READING PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE YMCA PROVIDES TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES. SCHOLARSHIPS BASED UPON FAMILY FINANCIAL NEED WERE AWARDED TO 75 CHILDREN TO DEFRAY THEIR FEES THIS YEAR. WE PROVIDE A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT EMPHASIZE PARENT EDUCATION AND HELP PARENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO RAISE HEALTHY, HAPPY CHILDREN WHO DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND MORAL AND ETHICAL VALUES. THE YMCA DAY CAMP PROGRAM PROVIDES A LASTING EXPERIENCE OF PERSONAL ENRICHMENT. DAY CAMP OFFERS ADVENTURE AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDES CHALLENGE AND PROMOTES SPIRITUAL AWARENESS, MENTAL DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL GROWTH, AND SELF-RESPECT. DAY CAMP HELPS YOUTH BECOME AWARE OF THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CAPABILITIES, TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF COOPERATION, AND TO GAIN CONFIDENCE. IN 2021, WE SERVED OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS IN PRESCHOOL, AFTERSCHOOL, AND CAMP PROGRAMS. YMCA YOUTH AND TEEN PROGRAMS GIVE KIDS GOOD ROLE MODELS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND GOOD VALUES, INCLUDING COOPERATION, RESPECT, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC. OUR SERVICE LEARNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS HELP YOUTH DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION OF CHARITABLE SERVICE AND PRESERVATION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. WE HAD 60 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OUR FREE 21ST CCLC DURING 2021. THE 21ST CCLC PROGRAM OFFERS STUDENTS A BROAD ARRAY OF ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES THAT COMPLEMENT THEIR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS. SLIGHTLY OVER 89% OF THE 1ST THROUGH 5TH GRADE REGULAR PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVED A C OR BETTER IN READING FROM THE FALL TO SPRING SEMESTER. OVER 95% OF THE 1ST THROUGH 5TH GRADE PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVED A C OR BETTER IN MATH FROM THE FALL TO SPRING SEMESTER. BOTH MEASUREMENTS EXCEEDED THE TARGET GOAL OF 70%. IN 2021 WE AGAIN PARTICIPATED IN THE YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM FOR TEENS. STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN EXPERIENTIAL CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND TO PRACTICE DEMOCRACY. TEENS FROM ACROSS THE STATE MEET IN THEIR LOCAL YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO DISCUSS AND DEBATE ISSUES THAT AFFECT CITIZENS OF THEIR STATE AND TO PROPOSE LEGISLATION. THE PROGRAM CULMINATES WITH TEENS SERVING AS DELEGATES AT THEIR STATE CONFERENCE, DEBATING BILLS ON THE FLOOR OF THE LEGISLATURE. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR FEE-BASED PROGRAMS, SO A YOUNG PERSON'S ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT A BARRIER TO PARTICIPATION.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: OUR YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR MORE THAN 106 YEARS. Y PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THE SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM AND AFTER SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM, ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW WE DELIVER TRAINING, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT THAT EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS TO AFFECT CHANGE, BRIDGE GAPS, AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES. IN 2021, WE ENGAGED 11,479 YMCA MEMBERS, PARTICIPANTS, AND VOLUNTEERS IN ACTIVITIES THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND PAVE THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO THRIVE. THE Y HELPS TO FIGHT THE HUNGER ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WITH 59% OF OUR COMMUNITY YOUTH ON FREE AND REDUCED LUNCHES, THE Y SERVED 27,898 MEALS IN 2021.