Santa Maria Valley Young Men's Christian Association

Youth Development-The Santa Maria Valley YMCA also offers community programs to promote Youth Development and nurture the potential of every child and teen Youth Development programs. Program participants range in age from Preschoolers, kindergarten-age kids to summer camps and day camps, which provide youth/teens with opportunities for authentic outdoor experiences and positive out-of-school activities. The YMCA provides Career Day events in all the High Schools in Santa Maria and Orcutt. This program teaches Teen leadership and helps high school age kids develop leadership skills and self-confidence. This Y also teaches our teen youth job readiness by offering internships and on-the-job training at local businesses in the teens' area of interest. This past year, these Youth Development programs impacted at least 1,000 high school kids. Expanding the Y's focus on youth development, the Santa Maria Valley YMCA also leads 16 afterschool programs from K-6 grade. The program takes place directly on school campuses, providing a balanced curriculum of academics (aligned with state standards), nutrition/physical activity through the Healthy Behavior Initiative, enrichment/learning and character-building. The kindergarten program has a minimal cost to the families and extensive financial assistance is given. No family is turned away for inability to pay. The 1 -8th grade program is funded by the State of California Proposition 49. Approximately 700 children in preschool, kindergarten and 1-8th grade afterschool care are served each year.

Social Responsability-The Santa Maria Valley Family YMCA's community programs promote Social Responsibility by engaging people in opportunities to support their neighbors and give back. The YMCA focuses on reaching out to underserved populations, creating new opportunities for inter-generational interaction, expanding volunteerism, and promoting togetherness among families and the community. The YMCA is a catalyst for bringing people together for the greater good. This past year, one example the Y led efforts to bring the community together was our annual Family Day in the Park providing free entertainment and activities for all ages. Over 5,000 children and families attended the event. Also, The Y recruited and engaged over 850 volunteer tutors in all the schools in the Santa Maria Bonita School District to help with children's homework in the after school care program.

Healthy Living-With a focus on Healthy Living, the YMCA is provides community-based solutions that influence positive change in individuals and in our community. The YMCA is for all people who are making their way toward a life of positive self-esteem, health, and well-being. The YMCA's commitment to support people's efforts to take personal responsibility and make good decisions around nutrition, positive activity, and self-care, spans across generational lines. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA's focus on Healthy Living is evident in numerous programs, including SPORTS, which promotes teamwork, interaction, and development of social and physical skills for more than 1,000 youth and adults, SWIM, which impacts more than 1,200 people, a fitness and well-being center that provides support to 6,000 active older adults, teens and families in their pursuit of healthy spirit, mind and body. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA is a training site for the California Healthy Behavior Initiative which addresses serious health problems facing students in low-income communities at high risk for obesity. This program is being implemented in the afterschool care, summer camp, preschool and kinderbridge programs. Our programs are accessible, affordable and open to all faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. We provide financial assistance to overcome economic barriers to participation.