Itasca County Family Young Mens Christian Association Inc

THE ITASCA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA (YMCA) IS A CHARITABLE, COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1979 WITH A MISSION TO STRENGTHEN OURSELVES, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES BY PROMOTING GROWTH IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THE YMCA INCLUDES MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES, INCOMES, RACES AND RELIGIONS AND IS DEDICATED TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. WE PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, STRONG VALUES, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY INTERACTION, AND INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTATING. ALL PERSONS ARE WELCOME AT OUR YMCA, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. OUR YMCA IS FOUNDED AND LED BY VOLUNTEERS FROM OUR COMMUNITY. OUR VOLUNTEERS SERVE AS MENTORS, COACHES, PROGRAM LEADERS, INSTRUCTORS AND POLICY MAKERS.

HEALTHY LIVINGTHE YMCA IS A LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE BRING FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH, AND FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN AND SHARED INTERESTS. AS A RESULT, 4500 PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE GREATER HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS THE PANDEMIC WREAKED HAVOC ON PEOPLES' LIVES, DISTURBED THEIR ROUTINES, ISOLATED OUR SENIORS AND CAUSED HARDSHIPS FOR FAMILIES. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES AND INCOME LEVELS. IN 2021 WE PROVIDED $61,074 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ADULTS, FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FACED ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENTOUR YMCA IS COMMITTED TO CULTIVATING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN WHO COMES THROUGH OUR DOORS. WE BELIEVE THAT ALL KIDS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. THAT IS WHY WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THE VALUES, SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH AND PROLONGED EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. OUR YMCA PROGRAMS ENCOMPASS ALL AGES INCLUDING THE WEEFOLKSGARTEN CHILDCARE, SCHOOL-AGE CARE AND YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS. ALL OF OUR PROGRAMMING OFFERS A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. YOUTH PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES AND INCOME LEVELS. AT THE YMCA WE NEVER TURN AWAY ANY INDIVIDUAL FOR AN INABILITY TO PAY AND OFFER ASSISTANCE TO ANY YOUTH AND FAMILIES WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FACED ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION. DURING THE PANDEMIC THE ITASCA YMCA CHILDCARE KEPT ITS DOORS OPEN TO NOT ONLY ESSENTIAL WORKERS, BUT THOSE FAMILIES WHO WERE OBLIGATED TO KEEP WORKING OUTSIDE THE HOME DURING THE MN STAY-AT HOME ORDERS. PUTTING OUR CHILDREN AND OUR COMMUNITY FIRST HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND WILL REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MISSION.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYOUR YMCA BELIEVES IN SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR 40 YEARS. YMCA PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR FREE ACTIVE LIVING CENTER (OPEN TO ALL AGES), OUR FULL CHILDCARE, OUR YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM AND THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW WE DELIVER TRAINING, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THAT EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS TO PRODUCE CHANGE, BRIDGE GAPS, AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES. IN 2021, 178 VOLUNTEERS DONATED 2,442 HOURS OF TIME TO ASSIST IN ACTIVITIES THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND PAVE THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO THRIVE.