Hamilton Area Young Men's Christian Association

Healthy living. The ymca provides tools and resources to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for nearly 6,000 community members. Through weekly group exercise classes, aquatics classes, active adult programs, and small group and one-on-one training programs, we are improving the overall health of our community. By offering a wide variety of fitness programs, for all ages and abilities, the y demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the impact of its mission of healthy living is felt throughout our community. In 2023, a vast network of community volunteers powered our work, and approximately $1,527,414 was raised to help fund priority mission programs.

Social responsibility. The Hamilton Area ymca has been listening and responding to our community for over 7 decades. We connect to people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge gaps in needs and build a stronger community by encouraging philanthropy and volunteerism. The Hamilton Area ymca continues to be a force for positive change in our community - we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive through programs that address specific social, health, or developmental needs such as life-saving swim lessons for youth, especially those in marginalized communities with limited access to this critical skill. In 2023, we provided 2,500 youth swim lessons, and 600 were free - our y subsidized $120,400, to teach this important skill. Additionally, as part of our commitment to strengthening our community, the Hamilton Area ymca is proud to help connect our neighbors in mercer county to the new jersey supplemental nutrition assistance program (nj snap). Individuals and families in need of food assistance to help make ends meet can find support right here at the y. We've been named one of only 11 "snap navigators" in new jersey by the new jersey department of human services (njdhs) and our team can answer questions about eligibility and screening, and helps individuals and families apply for new jersey snap benefits.

Youth development. Through y programming in 2023, we served 3,169 children in our community. These children learn new skills, build self-confidence, and gain independence. These are valuable lessons that will be vital building blocks for their future. In addition, these children are practicing positive behaviors, exploring their unique talents, and building relationships with adult mentors. We served children in our ys owls on-site preschool and 1,045 children and families in our before and after-school programs at 13 elementary schools. In addition, we provide a transformative camp experience to all children, particularly those in underserved areas. The lack of accessible high-quality, enriching summer programming means children may not have a safe place to go while their parents work. For many children in historically marginalized neighborhoods, camp is often out of reach, leaving children idle and isolated. In 2023, we partnered with the local businesses in the bromley neighborhood to reach low-income communities providing 4 weeks of summer camp complete with healthy meals, drinks, snacks, and transportation for more than 18 children. This allowed children to participate in structured, outdoor activities free from the challenges they face in their neighborhoods and provided endless opportunities for physical activity. Additionally, we provided 40 families with financial assistance totaling $52,615 in 2023. Ensuring that all children have a positive summer experience is important for the strength and safety of our communities.