Fond du Lac Family YMCA

Healthy livingthe YMCA of Fond Du Lac served over 300,000 visits by members, guests, and community participants during 2023. Activities that are designed to enhance the wellness of the community include seminars, fitness evaluations, strength training, numerous classes, personal training, etc. Equipment options include cardio equipment (treadmills, cross trainers, bikes, rowing machines) and strength equipment (weight machines and free weights), as well as aquatics programs which provide good health through regular exercise. Thousands of people participated in fitness classes. The Fond du Lac YMCA offers free health and wellness orientations to members to help ensure that beginners in particular establish good exercise habits which can last a lifetime. Numerous wellness seminars were conducted at the YMCA. Wellness initiatives with school districts, local government, and health organizations were also expanded. The Y has a total of about 140 cardio and strength stations at which members may exercise for fitness. The Y continued its collaboration with the SSM Health physical therapy department, allowing individuals to gain strength at the Y with onsite staff. 268 people (duplicated) participated in the Y's Parkinson's exercise program in 2023. The Healthy Living Program allows physicians to refer individuals to the YMCA to learn about exercise and a healthier lifestyle. Livestrong at the YMCA, a 12week program for cancer survivors to meet, exercise, and socialize, was introduced at the Fond du Lac YMCA in 2016 and had 22 participants in 2023. Cardiac rehab (iii) was launched in 2018 for individuals who have survived a major heart event, to continue necessary therapy in a supervised setting. The active older adults program continued to grow in 2023. The active older adults program stresses a threeway approach to work with seniors, involving health and fitness, social activities, and opportunities for volunteering. Seniors participated in land and water fitness classes, monthly luncheons, book clubs, and making crafts. There are over 1,000 "silver sneakers" members at the YMCA. A new offering of "virtual fitness" made its debut at the end of 2015. As of 2018 the virtual classes are now in 4 studios giving members an opportunity to take physical fitness classes. Classes may be geared toward adult, youth, or family fitness. The Y has expanded its personal training space and many people took advantage of the opportunity to get additional training in an individual or group setting. The Y purchased pickleball equipment in 2013 and created courts in one gym. More people are learning/playing this unique sport as extensive growth continued to occur.

Youththe YMCA has a strong emphasis in the area of youth development. Over 1,600 youth program registrations took place in the areas of youth sports, preschool enrichment, gymnastics, field trips, and family nights. YMCA youth sports programs emphasize development of skills, health and fitness, safety, cooperation, and selfesteem. Furthermore, they focus on the YMCA'S 4 core values of honesty, caring, responsibility, and respect. The Y, in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Club offers a daily "just play" program afterschool to ensure that kids have an opportunity to play fun games (such as kick ball, dodgeball, volleyball, soccer, ultimate football) with the purpose of getting kids active for at least 1 hour per day. The Y also had sports camp offerings to include golf, flag football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, rugby, fitness, and pickleball. In collaboration with the local Kiwanis club, the Y offers an annual free "learn to swim" program one week each summer. In 2023, over 430 children participated in this program. This affords all children an opportunity to learn a life skill at no cost to their family. This program has occurred annually at the Y since 1926. Additionally, over 1036 youth swim lessons were offered. Our recent expansion of adaptive offerings saw 38 children enrolled in adaptive swim and gymnastics lessons.

In our preschool child care, a total of 94 children were served. The focus of the Fond du Lac YMCA child care programs is to foster growth and development, not only in children, but also within the family. These educational programs help children develop moral and ethical behavior, selfesteem, and leadership. Physical development is achieved via gym and swim classes in which the children participate. Additionally, nutritious meals are served on a daily basis. In many instances, the YMCA child care allows the parent(s) of the child to remain gainfully employed or pursue an education, knowing that their child is thriving in a safe, supportive environment. Via support from the United Way, care is provided at a reduced fee for those parents unable to afford the full cost of child care. Through collaboration with the Fond du Lac School District, the Fond du Lac YMCA is able to offer a half day 4K kindergarten program, as well as, child care for those children needing to stay for additional time during the day. The Child Care program continued to receive Child Care Counts assistance from the State of WI in 2023. In collaboration with the Fond du Lac School District, the Y piloted Before School Care at 3 elementary school sites in 2023, serving 40 children.

The generosity of others is at the core of the y's existence as a nonprofit organization. It is only through the support of hundreds of volunteers and donors that the y is able to support and give back to our community. The 2023 annual support drive continued to be strong as over $368,213 was raised. The Ymca's financial assistance program is supported by individuals, families, businesses, and foundations who contribute to the Association's annual support campaign. The Ymca of Fond Du Lac believes in providing membership and program services to all who desire to participate in the Ymca. There are approximately 5,230 membership units and 9,415 members at the y. In total, over 300 membership scholarships were awarded in 2023 totaling $130,380 scholarships given. In addition to this, $8,749 of program scholarships were awarded. The y is striving to develop a culture of philanthropy amongst its members and the community. In collaboration with the school districts, local university, boys/girls club, health care providers, united way, and local government, the y works to be a great community partner in making Fond Du Lac a happy and healthier place to live and work. In collaboration with the arc of Fond Du Lac, the Fond Du Lac Ymca extended the offerings to include swimming programs, Young athletes and basketball space to physically and mentally challenged youth of the area. The Ymca has actively engaged and expanded volunteer opportunities. The Ymca actively supports other non profit organizations through program assistance and membership support. Some of the groups assisted include big brothers/big sisters, arc of Fond Du Lac, special olympics, abuse shelters, homeless/warming shelters, and local school districts. The Ymca is a key contributor to community wide program "healthy Fond Du Lac county 2023."