Jack Link Community Center Inc

THE JACK LINK'S AQUATIC & ACTIVITY CENTER IS A 501 (C)(3) COMMUNITY CENTER THAT ENHANCES COMMUNITY LIFE IN MINONG AND THE SURROUNDING AREA BY PROVIDING POSITIVE AND IMPACTFUL SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

JACK LINK COMMUNITY CENTER (JLAAC) SERVICES A RURAL AREA WITH VERY LIMITED ACCESS TO PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES AFFORDED THOSE IN MORE URBAN AREAS. THE AREA HAS LIMITED ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION AND INTERNET, AND A POPULATION WITH OVER 28% LIVING IN POVERTY AND 30% + OF POPULATION IS OVER THE AGE OF 62. THE AREA IS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY OF WOODS, LAKES, AND RIVERS, YET MOST OF THE RESIDENTS HAVE NEVER LEARNED TO SWIM.2021 JLAAC BROUGHT MANY MUCH-NEEDED PROGRAMS TO THE AREA WHILE DEALING WITH THE POST PANDEMIC ISSUES. COVID-19 BROUGHT SOME INTERESTING CHALLENGES BOTH IN 2020 AND 2021, AND THE FACILITY SAW A RISE IN MEMBERSHIPS AS THE COVID PANDEMIC STARTED TO STABILIZE. EVEN AMIDST THE PANDEMIC WE RAN TRAINING AND CERTIFYING OF LIFEGUARDS FOR JLAAC, AREA CAMPS AND RESORTS, AND LAKE ASSOCIATIONS, TRAINING AND CERTIFYING JLAAC STAFF, LOCAL BUSINESS STAFF MEMBERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN CPR, ADULT AND PEDIATRIC FIRST AID. WITH WELLNESS BEING OF TOP FOCUS, JLAAC BELIEVES THAT BEING HEALTHY IS A KEY COMPONENT IN A PERSON'S QUALITY OF LIFE. BEING HEALTHY IS MORE THAN JUST A NUMBER ON A SCALE OR THE NUMBER OF SIT-UPS A PERSON CAN DO. BEING HEALTHY INCLUDES SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL ASPECTS. JLAAC LOOKS TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND OUTLETS THAT ALLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO IMPROVE THEIR WELLNESS, FITNESS, AND QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH COMMUNITY EVENTS, SOCIAL WELLNESS, FITNESS PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ACCESS TO RESOURCES, AND MORE. IN 2021, JLAAC PROVIDED 1000+ STRUCTURED FITNESS & RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS LIVE AND VIA ZOOM FOR CONTINUED COVID SAFETY. WE RAN 72+ SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, PROVIDED A WELCOMING, CLEAN, SAFE, AND COMFORTABLE FACILITY FOR PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY USE, SOCIAL GATHERING, INDIVIDUAL USES IN AREAS OF COMPUTERS, LIBRARY OUTREACH, FITNESS, RECREATION, MEETING SPACE, TUTORING, AND PERSONAL HYGIENE WITH USE OF SHOWERS FACILITIES AND MORE 300 DAYS IN 2021. IN 2021, JLAAC HAD OVER 30,000 VISITS TO THE FACILITY, CONTINUED OUR FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM TO ASSIST COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NEED TO UTILIZE THE FACILITIES, PARTNERED WITH THE IRIS PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL NEEDS, AND COMMUNITY GED EDUCATION AND RESOURCES PROVIDED AT JLAAC. DURING THE POST PANDEMIC WE WERE ABLE TO SAFELY OFFER FITNESS TO OUR MEMBERS WHILE FOLLOWING COVID GUIDELINES. GOING FORWARD JLAAC WILL CONTINUE ITS MISSION, VISION, AND BELIEF TO BRING THESE PROGRAMS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND RESOURCES TO THE AREA WHILE ADDING ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND RESOURCES FOR ALL AGES WITH A FOCUS ON SENIORS, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS.