YMCA of Greater Richmond

Healthy living is the largest of the Ymca's program expenses. The y's commitment to advancing whole health - spirit, mind, and body - makes it a leading voice on health and well-being in the communities that we serve. Our healthy living philosophy runs through every program we offer and it is central to our mission. We bring families closer together, encourage good health, and foster connections through fitness, fun and shared interests. At the end of 2023, the Association was serving 110,000 members at seventeen branches. Post-pandemic inflationary pressures made delivery of the programs and services a challenge. Nonetheless, financial assistance of over $4.0 million was granted to individuals who may otherwise not have been able to afford the full cost of membership and programming.

Social responsibility is the third largest of our program expenses. The y is committed to being accessible to everyone by identifying, addressing and eliminating economic, geographical and cultural barriers. At the y, everyone has the opportunity to belong. Through our new community impact initiative, we are emphasizing community health, adaptive programs, active older adults, welcome centers, and spirituality. We do this by engaging and convening the varying demographics in our community to live, work and play through our program services and volunteerism. In 2023, 11,500 individuals volunteered their time, talent, and treasure to Ymca of Greater Richmond programs. The y provides subsidized school aged programs in multiple communities to allow children the opportunity to attend before and after school programs. The y continued its longstanding bright beginnings program by collecting school supplies from community groups and providing special events for the distribution of the supplies to 2,200 students through local elementary schools. The y expanded its social needs navigation programs in the Richmond region to reach out to individuals affected by the economic impact of the pandemic, providing access to food, shelter, and healthcare resources to over 2,300 individuals. The Ymca continues to be a convener in the Richmond region through its participation in the help1rva initiative which provides access to vital community services. The Ymca and its volunteers distributed 120 tons of food at its mobile food distribution sites. In addition, the Ymca of Greater Richmond continued to raise awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion (dei) issues within our community and remains a positive force for social change. The Ymca hosted numerous dei community events in 2023, while providing extensive support and training for its employees. Financial assistance of over $1.8 million was granted in order for youth to participate in Ymca outreach programs.

Youth development is the second largest of our program expenses. The y provides enriching learning opportunities to youth through education, support, physical and emotional guidance to prepare them for a lifetime of thriving. We do this by providing academic support, physical activity, social connectivity, and family engagement, while promoting healthy eating habits in all of our programs. We offer children and teens the opportunity to cultivate the values, skills and relationships that lead to educational achievement, positive behaviors and better health. During 2023, the y continued to expand youth programs which had been impacted by the pandemic. Over 13,000 children were enrolled in youth sports in 2023 across the Association. 9,500 individuals were involved in swimming programs, as the y emphasized its drowning prevention programming both at its facilities and in cooperation with local school systems. The y served 4,100 children in its before and after school programs, while over 2,000 of these students received financial assistance. The Ymca served over 5,700 children in its summer camp programs and power scholar academy services were offered in henrico county and the city of petersburg. The availability of staff and wage inflation were particularly acute in the childcare industry. Financial assistance of over $1.3 million was granted to individuals who may otherwise not have been able to afford the full cost of youth services.