Gateway Region YMCA

Our ymca is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen. We believe all kids have great potential and deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That's why we help Young people cultivate the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement.as part of our youth development programs, the Gateway Region y provides academic programs to ensure that all youth graduate from high school ready for the next step in their lives. In 2023, we provided one-on-one reading tutoring to 147 youth and adults. Through our learning labs program, we provided small group support in reading and/or math to 97 children, and 431 youth completed a steam (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) program.in 2023, 556 teens participated in y nights and other teen activity programs, allowing them to enjoy a safe place to meet with friends.through our Washington university campus y program, 440 students participated in 23 active programs with 50 community partners providing support to the st. louis community with blood drives, educational enrichment, tutoring, mentoring youth, and other initiatives. Our youth and government (yag) program provided 388 students the opportunity to experience the democratic process and develop the leadership skills needed to become citizens of a participatory society. In 2022, we launched our new adaptive sports program that served 119 individuals, and in 2023 the number served jumped to 503 due to incredible demand. Throughout our 25-year history of providing inclusive services, our y has been under-resourced to serve that community through youth sports, despite the great need. Unfortunately, children with disabilities have historically been excluded from participating in sports due to the lack of options. Youth and Young adults throughout the st. louis Region who have physical or cognitive disabilities now have an opportunity to play sports as a team member in an organized program, and we have plans to expand our offerings. Our y believes in giving back and supporting our neighbors, and one way we do that is by providing health access to as many people as possible. In 2023, the Gateway Region ymca maintained 13 community gardens that contributed produce to the surrounding areas they serve.leading into the thanksgiving holiday, our y collected more than 8,000 cans of food that were donated to area food banks to help those in need. Our y branches also collected gifts for more than 1,300 families in need during our angel tree community collection campaign.the Gateway Region ymca world service program works in partnership with ys in ukraine, belize, brazil, colombia, and south africa. Contributions given to our international partners are used to support youth-led social entrepreneurship, health education and training, climate change action and other civic engagement initiatives that position Young people to lead the change in their communities.