Program areas at Rowan-Cabarrus Young Men's Christian Association
Health and well being for all the ymca views health holistically: a healthy person has unity of body, mind and spirit. The ymca has identified the growing national obesity rates in this country as a critical social issue that must be addressed. Our health and well being programs are designed to help people develop new skills and grow in spirit, mind and body by setting realistic goals for self improvement and disease prevention through an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, stress management, and health education. Ymca programs promote interaction, teamwork, and development of moral and ethical behavior, social skills and self esteem. We serve all ages, races, nationalities and religions and provide financial assistance to those in who need it. In 2023, we served over 45,177 persons in our community and provided financial assistance in the amount of $983,885.
Teen leadership, darkness to light, community farm the ymca promotes community development through a series of programs designed to impact the community and work with all youth, but primarily disadvantaged and minority youth. Leader's club at the ymca is a program designed to teach teens the basics of great leadership through quality and quantity of leadership training, enjoyable experience, and volunteer opportunities. Over 6,000 community service hours were logged in the program last year. The ymca works to build strong communities for members and non-members alike through a series of programs designed to work with the disadvantaged. Partnerships with many community agencies have provided school supplies to the needy, events open to the public to provide education on gang prevention while offering alternative activities in a safe environment, food drives and various other collections. Includes other revenues.
Youth development our childcare programs offer high quality child care activities for preschool and school age children from all segments of our community. We offer a variety of state licensed childcare programs, both full and part-time, which provide a safe and nurturing environment where youth can develop self-esteem, good values and an appreciation of charitable service. Woven into the fabric of the ymca mission is a commitment to strengthening families, providing programs that foster growth and development of the entire family. Parents are secure in knowing that their child has a safe haven while they work or further their education, while providing education and support to promote children that are happy and healthy in spirit, mind and body. The ymca partners with other community agencies such as carolinas healthcare systems-northeast, united way of central carolinas and cabarrus health alliance to provide activities and educational opportunities in our program so that children appreciate diversity and develop healthy lifestyles and life long values. The childcare curriculum focuses on the key character traits of caring, respect, responsibility, honesty and faith. By partnering with united way and other community agencies, the ymca has the ability to provide financial assistance for those who cannot afford to pay. Ymca financial assistance ensures that the ymca is a place where children of all economic levels, from the affluent to the disadvantaged receive the same quality of care in the same setting. In 2023, we served a total of 2,984 participants and provided financial assistance in the amount of $89,939. Our youth sports and aquatic programs offer high quality sports activities for pre-school and school age children from our community, including those with special needs. We provide adult volunteers that serve as role models and mentors to our children. The teachings of character values of honesty, caring, responsibility, respect and faith are integrated into all sports programs while promoting an appreciation of one's own worth. Youth sports programs focus on the full and equal participation of all - every child plays every game. Ymca youth programs also help to strengthen families. Parents and siblings and extended family members support the children by coaching teams or attending sporting events. Young people participating in sports build lifelong positive attitudes, habits of healthy exercise and good nutrition. The ymca sports programs value cooperation over competition and fair play over winning. The ymca knows that with this approach everyone wins - undefeated in spirit, mind and body. In 2023, we served 2,711 participants and provided financial assistance in the amount of $9,792.