Cass County Family Y

We serve approximately 9000 men, women ,and children. About 217 families were served through our financial assistance scholarship program for memberships. We are open seven days a week, approximately 105 hours per week, closing only six days out of every year. Our facility is unique to our community in that all are welcome, regardless of age, religion, socio-economic status, race, and sex. The environment within the ymca is one that promotes acceptance and belonging. It is a safe place for children and teens to hang out. Our members and the programs we offer help people grow as responsible members of families. Our programs provide children and their parents with activities that foster understanding and companionship. Activities are planned to bring families together to support each other. Parents have the opportunity to learn from each other and from their children in an enjoyable way. Our older adult programs stress a three-way approach to work with seniors, involving health and fitness, social activities, and opportunities for volunteers.

Ymca's offer a lifelong progression of health and wellness activities, experiences, and education, including programs for children, teens, families, seniors, and sport programs for youth and adults.examples include youth and teen fitness programs and classes, swim lessons, group fitness classes, strength training, senior aquatic and fitness classes, basketball, soccer, and dance. Ymca's focus on healthy living by advocating health and well-being from the inside out. The ymca provides people with the supportive relationships and environments they need for their successful pursuit of health and well-being. This is particularly important as our nation struggles with an obesity crisis, families struggle with work/life balance, and individuals search for personal fulfillment. We help bring people and families together by providing social networks and programs that are accessible and affordable. We offer approximately 60 different programs, classes, workshops, events, sports, and activities to our community. We have served approximately 4,500 men, women, and children through these various programs. These programs promote an appreciation of self worth, focus on full and equal participation and emphasize development of skill, health and fitness, safety, cooperation, self-esteem, sportsmanship, and respect.

The central focus of all ymca childcare programs is to foster growth and development, not only in children but also in their parents and families. These educational programs help kids develop moral and ethical behavior, self-esteem, and leadership. Parents play an important role in policy and program decisions. In many instances, ymca childcare allows parents of children in our program to remain gainfully employed, knowing that their children are thriving in a safe and supportive environment. For parents who cannot afford the full fee, care is provided on a below cost basis.our childcare department offers two very distinct programs, school age after school care for children in grades k-6th (kids crew) and all day childcare during school breaks (summer day camp) for children in grades k- 6th. Our school age afterschool kids crew program is offered five days a week beginning after school until 5:30 pm. This program's structures includes homework time tutoring and mentoring, character development, healthy snack, activities, crafts, and a safe environment, and the ymca core values. Our day camping program includes revering nature and the fullness of god's bounty as a major program goal for the ymca. Ymca camping programs are educational. They promote spiritual awareness, mental development, physical well being, social growth, and a respect for the environment. Through a variety of activities and the use of natural surroundings, ymca camping seeks to help participants achieve their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body. In many instances, camping programs serve as child care for parents in the summertime, allowing them to remain gainfully employed. The program is offered on a below-cost basis to parents. Our childcare programs serve over 100 children. Approximately 20% of our program participants received partial or full financial assistance in order to participate in our programs.