Young Mens Christian Association

Family services and child care: the ymca is the largest childcare provider in frederick county, and as such has a strong working relationship with fcps, frederick county government, and the frederick county housing authority. Through a partnership approach, we provide service to nearly 3,000 unique children. Over the last year, the ymca has successfully provided quality childcare services at multiple locations, for a variety of ages, varied to serve a diverse population, all year round. The programs as mentioned above include: licensed child care development centers, before and afterschool activities hosted in twenty-seven (27) locations, and summer day camp at seven (7) offsite locations. The ymca is committed to providing a multitude of experiences and activities, including enrichment-based offerings: dance, youth sports, arts & crafts, gymnastics, science & technology, homework/tutoring, comprehensive state approved preschool curriculum, specialty field trips, and guest speakers.

Membership services: the ymca provides the opportunity for anyone in frederick county to participate in ymca programming and activities, to enroll regardless of their ability to pay. Financial assistance is made possible through the board of directors' efforts and numerous local businesses and organizations, on behalf of the ymca, and to support the initiatives of the ymca while focusing on the strategic plan. The ymca continues to be successful in positioning itself as a leader in the community by providing services and activities to community members where other agencies or organizations might not be in a position to do so. Over the last year, the ymca has partnered with a variety of agencies and organizations to provide quality activities to the community, allowing these local charities and organizations to leverage resources, both financial and physical support, as well as eliminating duplicate services through the community. Community partnerships include, but not limited to: the city of frederick, frederick county government, american diabetes foundation, housing authority, rotary club of carroll creek, walkersville children's center, american legion, and thorpewood. The ymca of frederick county continued to implement the strategic plan. The Association continues to upgrade and improve its facilities and use space to meet the demands of more than 30,000 unique members participating in ymca services. The most valuable asset of the ymca is its people. The Association continues to reach out to both membership and staff to conduct surveys, encourage feedback, and respond to the needs of the community.

Head start program: the ymca continues to manage the federal grant funded head start program, servicing approximately 242 children in eight (8) facilities throughout frederick county. Although this is the eighth year that the ymca has facilitated the program, the head start program has been active in the frederick county community for more than 40 years. The head start program promotes the school readiness of children age three (3) to five (5) from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Head start programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, including health, nutrition, social and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments. In addition to education and cognitive development services, services are responsive to each child and their family's ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage. Head start emphasizes the role of parents as their children first and foremost essential teachers in order to be successful. In the implementation of this comprehensive program, the ymca was successful in identifying community partners to assist with securing physical locations to host the services and provide funding. The funding for the head start program is supported by an 80% federal grant and requires 20% local/association matching funds in the form of cash or in-kind space and services.

Programs such as youth and community programs and adult programs align with the mission of the ymca that promote general welfare of the residents of frederick, Maryland. These programs support a positive environment for residents of frederick Maryland to make healthy living choices that give them the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.