Bedford Area Family Young Mens Christian Association

THE BEDFORD AREA FAMILY YMCA IS A VITAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION SERVING A LARGE AND DIVERSE POPULATION THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE MISSION OF THE YMCA, TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL, IS NOT ONLY EMBRACED BY STAFF, BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS, BUT IS ALSO EVIDENT IN ALL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE YMCA DOES NOT REFUSE MEMBERSHIPS, PROGRAMS OR SERVICES TO PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THEIR INABILITY TO PAY BUT OFFERS EVERYONE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE BY GRANTING SCHOLARSHIP AND FEE REDUCTIONS BASED ON FINANCIAL NEED.

CHILD CARE - AS THE LARGEST CHILD CARE PROVIDER IN THE COUNTY, THE YMCA CURRENTLY PROVIDES BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE AT SEVEN SITES AROUND THE COUNTY TO OVER 300 CHILDREN A DAY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND ALL DAY CHILDCARE AT THREE SITES TO OVER 400 CHILDREN IN THE SUMMER. ALL SITES ARE LICENSED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THESE PROGRAMS, THE YMCA OFFERS A LICENSED PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 2 1/2 TO 5 AND IS A CHARTER MEMBER OF THE UNITED WAY'S SUCCESS BY SIX NATIONAL INITIATIVE TO ENSURE THAT PRESCHOOL'S ARE TRULY PREPARING CHILDREN FOR KINDERGARTEN.

FITNESS - THE BEDFORD AREA FAMILY YMCA IS THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH, WELLNESS AND FITNESS FACILITY IN BEDFORD CITY AND COUNTY. WITH RECENT RENOVATIONS, THE FACILITY IS ABLE TO OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE, STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY THAT NOT ONLY INCLUDES PROGRAMS, EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES FOR PREVENTATIVE WELLNESS, BUT ALSO CONTINUED CHALLENGING REGIMES FOR THE PHYSICALLY FIT AND REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS FOR THOSE RECOVERING FROM A MULTITUDE OF PHYSICAL ISSUES.

AQUATICS - IN COLLABORATION WITH BEDFORD CITY AND COUNTY, THE YMCA AQUATICS PROGRAM PROVIDES SWIMMING LESSONS TO NEARLY 1,000 YOUTH AND ADULTS EACH YEAR. THE LOCALITIES FINANCIALLY SUPPORT SWIM LESSONS FOR EVERY PERSON WHO WISHES TO LEARN HOW TO SWIM. AS THE ONLY INDOOR POOL IN THE COUNTY,THE YMCA SUPPORTS FOUR SWIM TEAMS INCLUDING ALL THREE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS AND THEY TEAM WHO TRAIN AND COMPETE AT THE Y. ADDITIONALLY, WELLNESS CLASSES AND AQUATIC SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR A VARIETY OF INDIVIDUALS WITH ARTHRITIS, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CHALLENGES, HOME-SCHOOLED CHILDREN, REHABILITATION PATIENTS AND ATHLETES IN TRAINING.

COMMUNITY YOUTH SPORTS - THE GOAL OF THE YOUTH SPORT AND RECREATION PROGRAMS IS TO EMPHASIZE SKILL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, STRONG CHARACTER VALUES AND POSITIVE ADULT ROLE MODELING. THE YMCA WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY AND CITY DEPARTMENTS OF PARKS AND RECREATION TO MAKE SURE THAT TOGETHER WE ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY WHILE NOT DUPLICATING SERVICES TO THE DETRIMENT OF ANY OTHER PROVIDER.