Alleghany Highlands Ymca

THE ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS YMCA'S MISSION IS "TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL."

HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH: THE YMCA CHILD CARE PROGRAMS OFFER HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE ACTIVITIES FOR INFANT, PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN FROM ALL SEGMENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE OFFER A VARIETY OF STATE LICENSED CHILD CARE PROGRAMS, BOTH FULL AND PART-TIME, WHICH PROVIDE A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOUTH CAN DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM, GOOD VALUES AND AN APPRECIATION OF CHARITABLE SERVICE. YMCA CHILD CARE PROGRAMS HELP RELIEVE THE BURDEN OF BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY, THEREFORE ALLOWING PARENTS IN THE AREA TO REMAIN GAINFULLY EMPLOYED WITH THE AWARENESS THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING IN A SAFE, DEVELOPMENTALLY SOUND ENVIRONMENT. THE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS PARTNER WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ENSURE THAT CURRICULUM SUPPORTS THE EDUCATIONAL GOALS OF THE SCHOOLS AND MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD. THE YMCA IS CONTRACTED TO PROVIDE SERVICES WITH HEAD START AND THE VIRGINIA PRESCHOOL INITIATIVE FUNDING. THE YMCA ALSO PROVIDES SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAMS WHICH INCLUDE WEEKLY THEMED-BASED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ARTS, OUTDOOR GAMES, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, SCIENCE & DISCOVERY AND FIELD TRIPS. WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF THE YMCA MISSION IS A COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. OUR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS INCLUDE HOSTING FAMILY EVENTS SUCH AS LIFE SKILLS CLASSES, HOME VISITS, AND HELPING PARENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO RAISE CHILDREN THAT ARE HAPPY AND HEALTHY IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THE YMCA PARTNERS WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES TO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE YMCA ALSO PROVIDES TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SERVED ON A MONTHLY BASIS AVERAGED APPROXIMATELY 130-180.

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL: THE YMCA VIEWS HEALTH HOLISTICALLY; A HEALTHY PERSON HAS UNITY OF SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THE YMCA HAS IDENTIFIED THE GROWING NATIONAL OBESITY RATES IN THIS COUNTRY AS A CRITICAL SOCIAL ISSUE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED AND OUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE DEVELOP NEW SKILLS AND GROW IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY BY SETTING REALISTIC GOALS FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT AND DISEASE PREVENTION THROUGH AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE, PROPER NUTRITION, STRESS MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH EDUCATION. YMCA PROGRAMS PROMOTE INTERACTION, TEAMWORK AND DEVELOPMENT OF MORAL AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOR, SOCIAL SKILLS AND SELF-ESTEEM. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE LAND AND WATER GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES, FITNESS TESTING, CARDIO AND STRENGTH TRAINING, HEALTH AND NUTRITION EDUCATION CLASSES, BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL AS PART OF THEIR MEMBERSHIP. THE YMCA ALSO PROVIDES SWIM LESSONS, YOUTH SWIM TEAM, CERTIFICATION CLASSES IN FIRST AID, CPR, AED AND LIFEGUARDING, YOUTH SPORTS, WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENSE, MARTIAL ARTS AND ARTS & HUMANITIES CLASSES. THE YMCA PARTNERS WITH THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, CIVIC GROUPS, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES TO SUPPORT PREVENTATIVE HEALTH PROGRAMS. WE SERVE ALL AGES, ABILITIES, RACES, NATIONALITIES AND RELIGIONS AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT. WE MAINTAINED MEMBERSHIP LEVELS RANGING FROM 550-1,050 UNITS AND PROVIDED SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 1,500 INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: THE YMCA IS MORE THAN THE FOUR WALLS OF THE WELLNESS FACILITY. WE ARE PARTNERS IN BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES FOR MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS ALIKE. OUR YMCA PROMOTES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH A SERIES OF PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS IN THE AREA. THIS INCLUDES PROVIDING AFTER PROM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AS A SAFE ALTERNATIVE, WEEKLY BINGO FOR SENIOR ADULTS, AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS WORKSHOPS FOR SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES.