YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee

Youth development - the y is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen. At the y, youth develop values and refine skills that lead to more positive relationships with peers, better health, and increased educational success. The y served more than 6,435 preschoolers, children, and youth the benefits of y youth development programs are greater than just physical health. Because of the y, more Young people in neighborhoods across Milwaukee learned the importance of being socially responsible during the 4 month abbreviated fiscal year. The y offers early childhood programs at the northside y early childhood education center. The y's early education centers served 105 youth birth-to-five years of age. The the northside locations retained its five-star rating (the highest possible) from Wisconsin's youngstar childcare rating system. Financial assistance was available for those preschool families who could not afford to pay. The northside early childhood education center again served infants and toddlers from low-income families through the federal early head start program under a sub-grant. Our early childhood education and school-age programs are staffed with people who understand standard developmental milestones and encourage the optimal cognitive, physical, and social development of participating children and youth. Our y centers and youth development programs give parents and family members the peace of mind to go to work each day, knowing their children will keep learning and will be spending time in safe, stimulating, and productive environments. The y often is the starting point for youth to learn about the importance of staying active and developing healthy habits: traits they'll practice at home, in school, and within their local communities. More than 42 high school students, many from Milwaukee public schools, were supported through the achievers program during the school year. Camp minikani, located 30 minutes away from Milwaukee, served school groups, who came to camp minikani for environmental education or to experience the high ropes course, which challenges participants to grow their leadership competencies. Over the four month period, the y distributed more than 25,000 free meals to youth under 18 years of age in our youth development programs through the child and adult care food program. The y has delivered 4k wrap and school age education programming for more than 25 years. In the fall semester of the 2023-2024 school year, the school age program operated 26 locations and served more than 1,000 youth before school, after school, and during breaks. Aquatics programming helped youth gain beginning, intermediate, and advanced swimming skills. The y also hosted active adaptive programming for 140 children of diverse abilities.

Social responsibility - from september to december 2023, the y continued living out its promise as a diversity, inclusion, and global equity (dige) y committed to creating, strengthening, and replicating practices that bring about greater community cohesion, address social determinants of health, and promote social equity. The diversity of our changing communities is reflected at all levels, including the recruitment of board leaders and staff, and a volunteer social responsibility committee provides input into how the y delivers on its promise. During the year, we reinforced our commitment to the y's social responsibility platform. The Ymca of Metropolitan Milwaukee is committed to positioning the y as a community convener and collaborator to address critical social issues. Community service projects, special events, health fairs and corporate wellness programs were part of these awareness building activities. More than $133,000 in membership and program scholarships were provided from september to december to more than 4,000 Milwaukee area children and adults with a safe, positive environment to have fun, spend quality time with each other, and live healthier. More than 21 policy and 392 program volunteers served on our executive and center boards, provided support to our staff, or mentored, coached, and guided youth. The work of these volunteers helped the y to live out its mission and to reach deeper into the Milwaukee communities and neighborhoods we serve.

Healthy living - at the y, we know that healthy lifestyles are achieved through nurturing mind, body and spirit. Well-being and fitness at the y are so much more than just working out. Beyond exercise facilities, the y provides educational programs to promote smarter and healthier decisions. Our community integrated health programs increased access to care, lowered costs, improved prevention and reduction of chronic disease, and reduced gaps in Milwaukee's social determinants of health. In addition, the y runs programs for individuals living with multiple sclerosis, suffering from parkinson's disease, or dealing with the after-effects of a stroke. Fitness center activities, group exercise, healthy lifestyle programming, and personal training offer important ways for people of any age to achieve their personal heath goals and reduce social isolation by developing bonds with their peers. Through programs and activities like parent-child swim and preschool classes, and family fun nights, families grow closer and more connected. Personal trainers guide and support people from all starting points on their journey to a healthier lifestyle. Through active older adults and silver sneakers, the y helps seniors maintain a healthy lifestyle and strengthen social ties.