Family Ymca Of Emporia Greensville

THE FAMILY YMCA OF EMPORIA-GREENSVILLE'S PURPOSE IS TO ADVANCE OUR CAUSE OF STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY THROUGH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE YMCA IS A POWERFUL ASSOCIATION OF MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN COMMITTED TO BRINGING ABOUT LASTING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE BY FULFILLING ITS MISSION TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY FOR ALL. WITH A FOCUS ON NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN, IMPROVING THE NATION'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE BACK AND SUPPORT NEIGHBORS, THE YMCA ENABLES YOUTH, ADULTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO BE HEALTHY, CONFIDENT, CONNECTED AND SECURE. AS PART OF OUR MISSION OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES AND INCOME LEVELS. WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO PARTICIPATE.

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 IS WHY WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CULTIVATE THE VALUES, SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. OUR YMCA PROGRAMS, BRIEFLY DESCRIBED BELOW, OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE: THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA STATE LICENSED THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLD PRESCHOOL, SCHOOL-AGE BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE, AND A TEENAGE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT INCORPORATE HEALTHY SNACKS, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE AND PHYSICAL FITNESS TO ENHANCE THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCES; SUMMER DAY CAMPS FOR AGES 3 THROUGH 5TH GRADE OFFER CHILDREN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THEIR TALENTS AND INTERESTS, BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, CREATE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS AND BUILD CHARACTER; A SUMMER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR KIDS SIXTH GRADE THROUGH 15 YEARS OF AGE TO TRAIN TEENAGERS TO BECOME PROMISING FUTURE LEADERS BY EXPOSING THEM TO DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS SERVING IN THE LOCAL SAMARITAN KITCHEN AND THE LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER; MORNING AND EVENING CHILD WATCH WITH EMPHASIS ON SEASONAL ACTIVITIES; SWIM LESSONS FOR AGES 2 YEARS AND BEYOND TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ASSURANCE IN THE WATER AND HELP PREVENT DROWNING; AND TEEN FIT AND KIDS FIT GROUP FITNESS PROGRAMS FOR AGES 5 THROUGH 17 TO ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS A FUN EXPERIENCE.

HEALTHY LIVING - THE YMCA 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. AS A RESULT, 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 OUR NATION STRUGGLES WITH AN OBESITY CRISIS, FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH WORK/LIFE BALANCE AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. WHEN WE HAVE VISITORS, MANY COMMENT THAT OUR Y SEEMS TO HAVE MORE OF A SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE THAN OTHER Y'S THEY HAVE TOURED. WE BELIEVE THIS SOCIALIZATION IS A GIANT STEP IN RETURNING THOSE WHO ARE RETIRED, HAVE LOST A SPOUSE, EMPTY NESTERS TO A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. OUR YMCA OFFERS A WELLNESS CENTER WITH STATE OF THE ART CARDIO AND STRENGTH EQUIPMENT; AN INTERNET-BASED VIRTUAL WORKOUT AND NUTRITION ASSISTANT CALLED FIT-PATH AVAILABLE AT NO EXPENSE TO MEMBERS; FREE ACCESS TO WELLNESS COACHES; FREE MORNING AND EVENING ADULT GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES RANGING FROM LOW TO HIGH INTENSITY AND STRETCHING; AFTERNOON GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGE 5 THROUGH 17; SENIOR GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES; LOW IMPACT GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES FOR THE HEALTH SEEKER WHOSE PHYSICAL CONDITION ADVISES THEY PERFORM AT A SLOW PACE WITH SUPERVISION; PERSONAL TRAINERS; AN ADULT PICKLEBALL LEAGUE; ADULT BASKETBALL; AN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTROLLED INDOOR WALKING/RUNNING TRACK; HEALTHY KIDS DAY, A COMMUNITY EVENT OPEN TO ALL KIDS AND FAMILIES FILLED WITH FUN, ACTIVE PLAY AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES; UTILIZATION OF HEPA (HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) STANDARDS FOR ALL CHILDCARE PROGRAMS BY SERVING A FRESH FRUIT OR VEGETABLE AT EACH SNACK AND PLANNING OF 30 - 60 MIN OF VIGOROUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EACH DAY; FREE-SWIM FOR THE SUMMER DAY CAMP PARTICIPANTS THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMPORIA-GREENSVILLE COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTER; QUARTERLY PARENT'S NIGHT OUT CHILDCARE; SENIOR ADULT SOCIALS WITH GUEST SPEAKERS THAT PROVIDE INFORMATION ON TOPICS SUCH AS HEALTH, NUTRITION AND FINANCIAL GUIDANCE; SENIOR ADULT FIELD TRIPS; SENIOR ADULT SOCIAL GROUPS; QUARTERLY PRAYER BREAKFASTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC; A HEALTH FAIR FOR ALL AGES WITH INFORMATION FROM MULTIPLE VENDORS; MEN'S AND ADULT CO-ED SOFTBALL LEAGUES; ADULT VOLLEYBALL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMPORIA GREENSVILLE RECREATION AUTHORITY; A SPRING AND FALL 1K(KIDS)/5K/10K FUN RUN; A PARTNERSHIP WITH ARCH GROUP HOME RESIDENTS TO GAIN ACCESS TO SAFE EXERCISE AND RECREATION AND A PARTNERSHIP WITH MRCA A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE PHYSICAL EDUCATION TO THEIR STUDENTS; A NON-DENOMINATIONAL BIBLE STUDY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GREATER RICHMOND (VIRGINIA) YMCA, OUR Y CONTINUES TO OFFER COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS WHO ARE AT A HIGH RISK FOR DEVELOPING TYPE 2 DIABETES AVOID THE DISEASE AS WELL AS A PROGRAM TO ASSIST ADULTS WHO ALREADY SUFFER FROM DIABETES CONTROL THE DISEASE.

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. YMCA PROGRAMS AS DESCRIBED BELOW ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW WE DELIVER TRAINING, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THAT EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS TO EFFECT CHANGE, BRIDGE GAPS AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES. WE ENGAGE YMCA MEMBERS, PARTICIPANTS AND VOLUNTEERS IN ACTIVITIES THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND PAVE THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO THRIVE. SOME OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: PARTNERING WITH THE SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE BY PROVIDING A NEIGHBORHOOD FACILITY WITH INSTRUCTORS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THEIR PHYSICAL FITNESS CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS EARNING THEIR ASSOCIATES DEGREE LOCALLY; SERVING AS THE DRIVING FORCE FOR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH ACTION TEAM - A GROUP OF LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS WHOSE MISSION IS TO OVER TIME IMPROVE THE HEALTH FACTORS FOR THE CITY OF EMPORIA AND GREENSVILLE COUNTY; HOSTING QUARTERLY PRAYER BREAKFASTS WITH GUEST SPEAKERS FROM DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS AND CHURCHES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY; PROVIDING OVER $27,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARD MEMBERSHIP, PROVIDING COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS TO AVOID AND CONTROL DIABETES IN ADULTS, AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CHILDCARE AS WELL AS SWIM LESSON REGISTRANTS TO ENSURE EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF AGE, INCOME OR BACKGROUND, HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE; PARTNERING WITH THE GREENSVILLE/EMPORIA/BRUNSWICK/SUSSEX FAMILY VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT UNIT TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND NOURISHING ENVIRONMENT TO MOTHERS AND CHILDREN WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED BY ABUSE WITH ACCESS TO CHILDCARE AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS TO EMPOWER THEM TO IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH; PROVIDING REGULAR MEETING SPACES FOR COMMUNITY BASED SUPPORT GROUPS SUCH AS WEIGHT WATCHERS; HEALTHY COOKING CLASSES IN COLLABORATION WITH THE VIRGINIA EXTENSION SERVICE; NUTRITIONAL BRIEFINGS FOR MEMBERS BY A REGISTERED DIETITIAN; AN ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE FOR THE LOCAL SAMARITAN HELPING HANDS KITCHEN; A MULTI-STATION COMPUTER LAB WITH HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS AND PRINTING CAPABILITIES FOR MEMBERS AND NON-PROFIT GROUPS; FLEXIBLE MEMBERSHIPS TO REFLECT THE NEEDS OF INTERMITTENT EMPLOYEES WORKING ON A MAJOR MULTI-YEAR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT PROVIDING ADMISSION TO THE ONLY LOCAL FACILITY THAT PROVIDES RECREATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY; OFFERING FREE USE OF THE FACILITY AS A CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACCESS POINT FOR OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO HOLD MEETINGS, TRAINING AND REGISTRATIONS; AND, COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL CIVIC AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE MISSION PARALLELS THAT OF THE Y BY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.