Channel Islands Young Mens Christian Association

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS YMCA IS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION PROVIDING PROGRAMS BASED UPON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, RACES, RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND ECONOMIC STATUS TO PROMOTE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE Y IS A DIVERSE ORGANIZATION OF MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN JOINED TOGETHER BY A SHARED COMMITMENT OF NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF KIDS, PROMOTING HEALTHY LIVING, AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. WE BELIEVE THAT LASTING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE CAN ONLY COME ABOUT WHEN WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO INVEST IN OUR KIDS, OUR HEALTH AND OUR NEIGHBORS. AT THE Y, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY IS OUR CAUSE. EVERY DAY WE WORK SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF AGE, INCOME OR BACKGROUND, HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: 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. THE Y IS GUIDED BY FOUR CORE VALUES: CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY. THROUGH THE Y, OUR YOUTH ARE CULTIVATING THE VALUES, SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. CHILD CARE - SUPPORTING ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES, KNOWING THEIR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING IN A HEALTHY, SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. FOR CHILDREN LEARNING REMOTELY DURING THE PANDEMIC, OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE REMOTE LEARNING SUPPORT. SUMMER AND SLEEP AWAY CAMPS - AN EXCITING, SAFE COMMUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXPLORE, BUILD SELF-ESTEEM, DEVELOP INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND MAKE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS AND MEMORIES. Y CAMPING EXPERIENCES HAVE BEEN ENRICHING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS. CAMPS ARE EFFECTIVE IN HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP A SET OF VALUES THAT WILL SERVE THEM FOR A LIFETIME. Y SLEEP AWAY CAMPS USE ACTIVITIES LIKE HIKING, SWIMMING AND CRAFT ACTIVITIES TO HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION OF NATURE, POSITIVE VALUES AND GOOD GROUP SKILLS WHILE HAVING FUN. Y CAMPS PROVIDE EXPOSURE TO NEW EXPERIENCES THAT HELP THE CAMPER GROW IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE EACH CAMPER RETURN FROM CAMP WITH A HIGHER SENSE OF SELF-ESTEEM, NEW FRIENDS, A GREATER APPRECIATION OF THE OUTDOORS, A RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY, A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITY AND A LEARNING OF HOW TO WORK WITH OTHERS. DURING THE YEAR 1,513 KIDS ENRICHED THEIR SUMMER AT THE Y. EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP- KNOWLEDGE, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO HELP YOUTH DEVELOP AND REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL. FOR OVER 130 YEARS, THE CHANNEL ISLANDS YMCA HAS PROVIDED PROGRAMS THAT REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE YOUTH ADVENTURE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, DANCES, YMCA YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT AND OTHER LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS. SWIM, SPORTS & PLAY - POSITIVE, FUN ACTIVITIES THAT BUILD ATHLETIC, SOCIAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS. SWIMMING IS AN ESSENTIAL SKILL IN OUR COASTAL COMMUNITIES. FOR GENERATIONS, PARTICIPANTS OF ALL AGES HAVE LEARNED WATER SAFETY SKILLS WHILE DISCOVERING FUN, WELLNESS, AND SELF-CONFIDENCE IN A Y POOL. OUR SWIM STAFF ARE EXPERTLY TRAINED TO HELP SWIMMERS, FROM THE MOST TIMID TO THE MOST ADVANCED, PROGRESS EVEN FURTHER IN THEIR ABILITIES AND CONFIDENCE LEVELS. SWIMMING WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAMS TO PREVENT LEARNING LOSS THIS YEAR. OUR POOLS REMAINED OPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC TO TEACH ESSTENTIAL SWIMMING SKILLS.

HEALTHY LIVING: IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN SANTA BARBARA AND VENTURA COUNTIES, THE CHANNEL ISLANDS YMCA IS A LEADING VOICE ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WITH A MISSION CENTERED ON BALANCE, THE Y BRINGS FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGES GOOD HEALTH AND FOSTERS CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN AND SHARED INTERESTS. AS A RESULT, THOUSANDS OF YOUTH, ADULTS AND FAMILIES ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO ACHIEVE GREATER HEALTH AND WELL BEING IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. HEALTH, WELL-BEING & FITNESS - RESOURCES AND GUIDANCE TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS YMCA INCLUDES THE CAMARILLO FAMILY YMCA, VENTURA FAMILY YMCA, MONTECITO FAMILY YMCA, SANTA BARBARA FAMILY YMCA, LOMPOC FAMILY YMCA AND THE STUART C. GILDRED FAMILY YMCA IN SANTA YNEZ. FIVE OF THESE FACILITIES INCLUDE LAP POOLS AND ALL INCLUDE EXERCISE EQUIPMENT AND MULTI-USE SPACES TO PROVIDE WELLNESS CLASSES AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. THE YMCA ALSO PROVIDES FREE HEALTH FAIRS/SCREENINGS, EXERCISE ACTIVITIES AND NUTRITION ADVICE FOR MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS ALIKE. FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC OUR YS WERE OUT IN FRONT OF THE COMMUNITY. FROM CAMARILLO TO LOMPOC OUR YS HELPED THE COMMUNITY BY DISTRIBUTING FOOD, PROVIDING VIRTUAL EXERCISE CLASSES, SENIOR OUTREACH PROGRAMS, VIRTUAL WELLNESS, HEALTHY LIFESTYLE ACTIVITIES AND GROUP SOCIAL ACTIVITIES THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER PEOPLE SHARING COMMON PASSIONS AND PERSONAL INTERESTS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBIILITY: GIVING BACK AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OUR NEIGHBORS. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS YMCA HAS BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITIES' MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR OVER 130 YEARS. WHETHER DEVELOPING SKILLS OR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING, WELCOMING AND CONNECTING DIVERSE DEMOGRAPHIC POPULATIONS, OR PREVENTING CHRONIC DISEASE AND BUILDING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES, THE Y FOSTERS THE CARE AND RESPECT ALL PEOPLE NEED AND DESERVE. THROUGH THE CHANNEL ISLANDS YMCA, VOLUNTEERS, DONORS, LEADERS AND PARTNERS ARE EMPOWERING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO BE HEALTHY, CONFIDENT, CONNECTED AND SECURE. SOCIAL SERVICES - TRAINING, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS TO MAKE CHANGE, BRIDGE GAPS AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES. YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES YMCA, OUR SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH, ENCOMPASSES PROGRAMS DEDICATED TO SERVING AT-RISK YOUTH AND FAMILIES. NOAH'S ANCHORAGE YOUTH CRISIS SHELTER (NOAH'S) PROVIDES SERVICES TO RUNAWAY AND AT-RISK YOUTH, AGES TEN TO SEVENTEEN. DURING THE YEAR, FAMILIES RECEIVED COUNSELING SERVICES AT NOAH'S ANCHORAGE. STREET OUTREACH SERVICES (SOS) ASSISTS YOUTH LIVING ON THE STREETS OF OUR COMMUNITY WITH BASIC NEEDS FROM FOOD TO SOCKS, SLEEPING BAGS AND TOOTHBRUSHES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM YOUTH RECEIVE HEALTH CARE EDUCATION, REFERRALS, COUNSELING AND CASE MANAGEMENT. THE ST. GEORGE FAMILY YOUTH CENTER, IN ISLA VISTA, SERVES HUNDREDS OF YOUTH, PROVIDING BILINGUAL AFTER-SCHOOL HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE AND MENTORING. THE CENTER PROVIDES A VARIETY OF AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AS WELL AS FIELDTRIPS AND OTHER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE CENTER ALSO SERVES AS AN ADVOCATE FOR PARENTS OF TEENS, ASSISTING THEM DURING MEETINGS WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND DURING COURT APPEARANCES WITH THEIR CHILDREN. THE ST. GEORGE FAMILY YOUTH CENTER IS ABOUT HELPING KIDS TO ACHIEVE, FAMILIES TO BECOME STRONGER, AND THE COMMUNITY TO THRIVE. MY HOME AT ARTISAN COURT PROVIDES A PLACE WHERE FORMER FOSTER YOUTH AGES 18-21 CAN FIND A HOME AND BUILD A PATH TO INDEPENDENCE. THIS SUPPORTIVE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM IS THE RESULT OF A COLLABORATION WITH THE SANTA BARBARA HOUSING AUTHORITY. RESEARCH TELLS US THAT 65% OF YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVING FOSTER CARE DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE AND 40% WILL BE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OR INCARCERATED WITHIN FOUR YEARS. AT MY HOME, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WERE FACING HOMELESSNESS ARE NOT SIMPLY HOUSED, THEY RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO MATURE INTO SELF-SUFFICIENT ADULTS. OUR ON-SITE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT, EDUCATION ADVOCACY, WORK READINESS TRAINING, LIFE SKILLS CLASSES AND COUNSELING. VOLUNTEERISM & GIVING - DURING THE YEAR VOLUNTEERS DONATED 3,915 HOURS VALUED AT $111,734 TO HELP MOVE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES FORWARD, DELIVERING THE BENEFITS OF GOOD HEALTH, STRONG CONNECTIONS, GREATER SELF-CONFIDENCE AND A SENSE OF SECURITY TO ALL WHO SEEK IT. DURING THE YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS OF OVER $972,254 WERE RAISED FOR OUR ANNUAL CAMPAIGN WITH EVERY DOLLAR GIVEN BACK TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SERVICES TO THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. THE Y IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL PEOPLE. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS OFFERED TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO CANNOT AFFORD A MEMBERSHIP. THE CHANNEL ISLANDS YMCA PROVIDED OVER $443 THOUSAND DOLLARS IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FOR MEMBERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS SUCH AS: CHILDCARE, CAMP, SPORTS AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS. ADVOCACY - COLLABORATIONS WITH POLICY MAKERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP YOUTH, PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASE, BUILD HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES AND ENCOURAGE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.