Merrimack Valley YMCA

Healthy living:at the y, we believe in maintaining a balanced spirit, mind and body. The y is a leading voice on health and well-being issues, a leader in fighting chronic disease, a leading voice in community water safety and is committed to empowering people to lead fuller lives. We give the support and guidance and resources needed for physically active lives. We foster connections by bringing families closer together through fitness, aquatics and sports programs.

Youth development - childcare programs:each week nearly 800 children have an enriching educational experience at our childcare and after-school childcare sites located in lawrence, methuen, andover and boxford. Our programs include reading education for preschool children with a focus on kindergarten readiness. We also work with families to strengthen literacy support in the home. With funding from local supporters, as well as our government partners, we provide more than 300 children with subsidized childcare.

Youth development - camping programs:outdoor experiences are provided at our two resident camps and our day camp for over 1,700 individuals each summer. Through partnerships with local schools we expose inner city youth to an experience that will last a lifetime. Leadership skills, healthy risk taking, communication and team participation skills are developed in a unique and enriching environment. In addition, our facilities are used by families, school groups and other entities for outdoor recreation and group development.our leadership development programs give kids and teens a safe place to belong, to build confidence and to learn positive behaviors. These skills lead to better health and educational achievement

Social responsibility:since incorporation, our y has responded to society's most pressing needs. Our y provides affordable housing facilities, various educational, training and related programs for up to 74 very low-income residents in our lawrence facility. The recent pandemic has exposed enormous food insecurity in our communities. As such, we have increased our investment in our food pantry and by purchasing two food trucks. This enables us to meet these ever growing needs by providing children, seniors and families with grab and go and prepared meals as well as with bags of groceries. Our fitness memberships, childcare, camp and sports programs are made affordable to all with financial assistance provided to hundreds.