Young Mens Christian Association of Greater Cincinnati

Youth Development : Our YMCA is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen. We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That is why we help young people cultivate the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement. Our YMCA programs, such as child care, day and specialty camp programs, resident camp, arts and humanities, and 21st century learning offer a range of experiences that enrich cognitive, social, physical and emotional growth. As one of the largest providers of child development services in the Greater Cincinnati area, the YMCA is acting on its commitment to support family life, as a core education program for the future. Focusing on the diversity of the community, two infant sites, 14 early learning programs, fifteen 21st century learning sites, and 47 before and after school programs together provide a safe, educational, and enriching environment for 4,400 children each week. Like all Y programs, child care is open to all, with financial assistance available. The YMCA provides financial assistance to needy families to help defray the cost of participation. A major portion of the cost of child care program expenses, over related revenue in this area, is covered by government grants and contributions. In 2023, over 1,964 children and teens enjoyed amazing experiences at 9 summer day camp locations including Camp Ernst. An excellent option for working parents, many families find this character-building time as important as a critical source of summer child care. At Camp Ernst, 460 children and teens participated in the Summer Day camp program. Traditional summer overnight camp programs served 3939 children and teens, and non-summer sessions at camp served 1262 individuals.

Social Responsibility : Our YMCA believes in giving back and supporting our neighbors. We have been listening and responding to our community's most critical social needs. YMCA programs, such as Achievers, Senior programs, and Togetherhood are examples of how we deliver training, resources and support that empower our neighbors to effect change, bridge gaps and overcome obstacles. We engage YMCA members, participants and volunteers in activities that strengthen our community and pave the way for future generations to thrive. Over 3,000 individuals volunteered for the Y, serving over 80,000 hours to strengthen community and support the YMCA. The YMCA Achievers program, a college readiness and career exploration program which provides teens with the essential tools to pursue higher education and to identify different career opportunities, served 50 teens. The YMCA's Music Resource Center provided music production and enrichment activities to 200 youth in the area. The YMCA managed and provided programs for 4 senior centers, serving over 1,200 seniors, providing an outlet for physical, social and emotional health, daily meals, and day trips. Leaders Club, a teen character and leadership development program organized for the purpose of providing knowledge, training and experiences to teens so that they become strong leaders in their communities, fosters a spirit of service others and to shapes a healthy lifestyle in Mind, Body and Spirit, had 11 teens participate in 2023.

Healthy Living : The YMCA is a leading voice on health and well-being. We bring families closer together, encourage good health and foster connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, people in our community are receiving the support, guidance and resources they need to achieve greater health in spirit, mind and body. This is particularly important as our nation struggles with an obesity crisis, families struggle with work/life balance and individuals search for personal fulfillment. YMCA membership engages over 95,000 individuals annually, providing an inclusive approach to connectedness among families and individuals in our community through youth and adult sports, education, and wellness programming. YMCA programs are open to the general public with options for scholarship funding. A YMCA membership provides access to information, facilities, and programs. The YMCA encourages a healthy lifestyle that connects people for healthier and happier living from family yoga to toddler swim instruction to Healthy Kids Days. The YMCA provided opportunities to develop healthy lifestyles to youth and adults, serving over 6,900 individuals in swim lessons, and 5,600 in youth sports.