Young Men's Christian Association of Kankakee

Physical, youth, adult

Camp & childcare - ymca camp & childcare is family care, promoting strong values and better family communication. Staffs are trained professionals in implementing curriculum to assist and encourage children in developing self-esteem, self-confidence, motor skills and social attitudes. Contemporary families exist today as single-parent households, blended households, grandparents raising grandchildren and traditional two-parent families. The ymca continues to evolve and respond proactively to the changing family climate, to help build strong, healthy relationships and provide families with the mechanism to overcome obstacles in life, so that every family member may reach their full potential. Each day, over 200 children are nurtured in a safe, fun atmosphere through ymca camp & childcare programs. Health and wellness (membership) - ymca wellness programs are focused on the overall individual and their needs. Activate america is the ymca's response to the nation's growing health crisis. The ymca is redefining itself and engaging communities across the country to provide better opportunities for people of all ages in their pursuit of health and well- being in spirit, mind and body. The ymca focus is helping to better engage "health seekers." These are children, youth, teens, adults and families whose successful pursuit of health and well-being requires continuous supportive relationships and environments. Inside the ymca, we are influencing and motivating health seekers while outside we are helping create and sustain a healthier community. The programs are designed so that all members of the family can participate in physical activity. The ymca is a major provider of affordable health and fitness programs, with financial aid available. In 2022, the ymca provided a non-threatening and nurturing environment for over 16,000 health seekers to improve and/or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Youth development and aquatics - ymca sports are a longtime fixture in most communities. Sports programs strengthen families as parents watch their youngsters, or volunteer to help coach. More than learning how to kick a ball or swing a bat, ymca sports programs teach values and character building that can become the very foundation of a person's life. The ymca youth sports philosophy is to allow kids to participate in a noncompetitive program with an emphasis on fun, development of character, and fair play. We believe our youth sports programs help families and individuals grow personally, clarify values, improve relationships, appreciate diversity, develop leadership skills and most of all, have fun. The number of youth sports participants in 2022 was over 1,000. Ymca aquatics programs are part of the ymca's overall goal to build healthy spirit, mind and body. In addition to teaching personal water safety and swimming skills, they promote good health through increased exercise, teamwork and self- confidence. In its 38th year, splash, community collaboration with kiwanis delivers the message of safety in and around the water to the community. Ymca swim lessons provided low or no cost swim lessons to over 2,100 children in Kankakee county. Healthy living - membership in the ymca offers individuals and families healthy solutions across all economic and demographic circumstances. Ymca membership engages over 9,000 individuals annually, providing an inclusive approach to connectedness among families and individuals in our community through children and adult sports, education, and wellness programming. Ymca programs are open to the general public with options for scholarship funding. Ymca membership provides access to information, facilities and programs and encourages a healthy lifestyle that connects people for healther and happier living - from family yoga to toddler swim instruction to healthy kids day. In 2022, more than 20 different types of programming found over 16,000 participants growing in spirit, mind, and body. Youth development - child care. The ymca recognizes that high quality, affordable child development services is critical for today's working families. The ymca has before and after school child development programs, as well as quality pre-school care. As one of the largest providers of child development services in Kankakee county, the ymca is acting on its commitment to support family life, not as a special project, but rather as a core education program for the future. Focusing on the diversity of the community, our pre-school site and 3 before and after school programs provide a safe, enriching environment for over 90 children per week. The ymca provides financial assistance to needy families to help defray the cost of participation. A major portion of the excess of child care program expenses over related revenue in this area is covered by grants, government contracts and contributions. Youth development - camping for children, ages five to fifteen. 20 ymca summer day camp programs are the sites of caring, nurturing environments creating a healthy outlet for boundless energy. The camps are designed for children to learn about themselves and how to get along with others, caring and sharing in an atmosphere consistent with the mission and vision of the ymca. On a weekly basis, 134 children attended a fun-filled, well- supervised summer at ymca day camp, in 2022. An excellent option for working parents, many families find this character-building time important and a critical source of summer child care. Approximately 10% of these camp participants were awarded full or partial scholarships to cover the cost of camp.