Program areas at YMCA
One area of programming is Youth Development, where youth are encouraged to discover their potential and learn what they can achieve. Each year at Countryside YMCA, in childcare and camp, several thousand youth cultivate the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement. The childcare programs provide daycare service or preschool to children in the community. In all cases, the child-based programming builds on the Y's core values of caring, respect, responsibility, honesty and faith, with the goal to build children of character. Childcare and preschools provide valuable services to parents and children. These programs provide day care, education and values through programs that stress positive use of leisure time. Countryside has childcare/before & afterschool program locations in Lebanon, Little Miami and Clinton Massie.Countryside YMCA operates an early learning literacy preschool program for area section eight housing complexes to provide pre-kindergarten experiences to under-priviliged preschoolers in an effort to better prepare them for kindergarten. Before and after school programs, offered at three different locations throughout Warren Country, provide a safe, affordable and enriching opportunity to youth, and accommodate working parents. Over 700 different children are served annually in all the childcare programs, and many of these receive financial aid because of an inability to pay. Summer day camp serves over 450 children per day and develops social skills and physical abilities, provides supervised outdoor play time, fosters appreciation of the environment, and exposes children to the arts. Campers develop leadership characteristics like self-reliance and independent decision making. All camps are value-based and stress the Y's core values of caring, respect, honesty, responsibility and faith. Program financial assistance was made available to those in financial need.
The third area of programming is Social Responsibility. As a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community, the Y responds to issues influencing the community and provides support through services focused on critical areas, such as child welfare, community health, quality of life and family services. Examples of this work include: Countryside YMCA operates an early learning literacy preschool program for area section eight housing complexes to provide pre-kindergarten experiences to under-privileged preschoolers to better prepare them for kindergarten. This is provided at no-cost to the children or their families. All fourth graders in Lebanon City Schools receive life-saving swimming lessons during the school year at no cost to them or their families. All preschoolers enrolled in our childcare center "The Childrens Center" also receive life-saving swimming lessons during the year at no cost to them or their families. Respite care gives the parents of children with special needs and kinship families a time to get away for some rest and fun while their child/children have fun at the Y. This is provided at no-cost to the children or their families. Military families receive help with membership costs through a partnership with the Armed Services YMCA and the Department of Defense. In 2008, the YMCA partnered with The Livestrong* Foundation to help Cancer survivors begin the journey toward recovery with he Livestrong at the YMCA program. The program offers adults affected by Cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person. Cancer survivors have participated in Livestrong at the YMCA at no cost to them or their families. Every year, hundreds of volunteers donate valueable time to Countryside YMCA. In addition, several individual volunteers donate hours to our organization helping with swim meets, gymnastic competitions, raising funds for our scholarship campaign, as coaches in our programs and in various events held throughout the year. Countryside YMCA partners with other charitable and community service organizations including: Atrium Medical Center, Antioch Church, Warren County Educational Services, Boy Scouts of America, Lebanon City Schools, WCBDD, Little Miami Schools, Clinton Massie Schools, Lebanon Fire Department, Lebanon Police Department, Arthritis Foundation, Kiwanis of Lebanon, Navy Seals, Toys for Tots, Suicide Coalition of Warren County, Area Progress Council, Historic Downtown Lebanon, Lebanon Rotary, Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Lebanon Food Pantry, Warren County Sheriff's Department, Special Olympics, Interfaith Hospitality Network and Various Group Homes in Warren County.
The second area of programming is healthy living. The Y provides support, guidance and resources needed for people of all ages and abilities to achieve greater health and well-being. Programs in fitness, sports, gymnastics, cardiovascular exercise, swimming/aquatics, dance, arts and developmental education aim to develop healthy lifestyles for members and non-members that focus on the total wellness of each individual. Programs foster connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. All healthy living programming exposes participants to the Y's core values of caring, respect, responsibility, honesty and faith. Program financial assistance is made available to families and individuals who qualify based on income. Physical programs consist of youth sports, including gymnastics, skill classes, adult sports and fitness programs, and a host of individual activities and leagues that serve to enhance healthy lifestyles, build values, improve fitness and reduce stress. Aquatic programs include swim lessons, competitive swimming, adaptive swimming for those with special needs, life guard training, scuba, diving, and water fitness. Children learn life-saving swimming skills during swim lessons. In addition to providing specific swimming, exercise, and water safety skills, these programs promote good health through regular exercise. They also promote teamwork, self-confidence, and leadership. The arts and education programs enrich the lives of individuals and provided opportunities for children and adults to pursue new interests and develop hobbies. Classes are offered in dance, music, theater, art, and Bible Studies. Countryside YMCA provides specific healthy living programming for those ages 50 and above. The Stolle Center at the Lebanon Branch, and the Branch at Otterbein Retirement Community both serve the senior audience with fitness, swimming, and educational programming tailored to the abilities of this audience.