Holyoke Young Mens Christian Association Inc

THE YMCA IS A VOLUNTEER DRIVEN NON-PROFIT, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT NURTURE CHILDREN, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, BUILD COMMUNITIES AND DEVELOP HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY RESULTING IN RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS AND STRONGER COMMUNITIES.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT- OUR YMCA IS COMMITTED TO NURTURING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN IN OUR SERVICE AREA. WE BELIEVE EVERY CHILD SHOULD BE PROVIDED PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT ALLOW THEM TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE. OUR Y HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH VALUES BASED ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR, BETTER HEATH AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. OUR PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDCARE PROGRAMS PROVIDE A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT THAT INCLUDES HOMEWORK SUPPORT, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPECIFIC LITERACY WORK. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE INSURE THE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT OF THE CHILD AS WELL AS FAMILY IN ALL WE DO. OUR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS SUPPORT CHILDREN, MANY THROUGH STATE SUPPORT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN HOLYOKE AND SOUTH HADLEY.

HEALTHY LIVING - WE BELIEVE THE Y SHOULD FEEL LIKE A SECOND HOME AND THEREFORE PROVIDE A WELCOMING PLACE FOR ALL TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. THE YMCA IS A LEADING VOICE IN THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. WE ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH AND FOSTER PERSONAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE FITNESS, PERSONAL WELL BEING, NUTRITION, AQUATICS AND SPORTS. THROUGH OUR Y, PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE RECEIVING THE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL HEALTH. THE Y OFFERS PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY AROUND WATER, SPORTSMANSHIP AND TEAMWORK AND INCLUSION OF ALL. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH A VARIETY OF HEALTH ISSUES SUCH AS HYPERTENSION, OBESITY, ASTHMA, DIABETES AND OTHER CHRONIC DISEASES THAT ARE REACHING CRISIS LEVELS. THE Y IS PERFECTLY POSITIONED TO STEP IN AND HELP CHANGE THESE TRENDS. WE INSURE OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL THROUGH OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. NO ONE IS TURNED AWAY FOR AN INABILITY TO PAY.

CAMP - WE BELIEVE THE Y HAS BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, RESOURCES AND RESPONSIBILITY TO STRENGTHEN THE FOUNDATION OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILY. WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD TO PROVIDE A SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE THAT ALLOWS PARENT AND GUARDIANS A SAFE AND SECURE PLACE FOR THEIR CHILD DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. OUR CAMP PROVIDES A SEAMLESS TRANSITION FOR CHILDREN IN OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AS WELL AS SUPPORT FOR PARENTS SEEKING SUMMER CARE. THE CAMP DAY FOCUSES ON VALUES DRIVEN ACTIVITIES, SUMMER LEARNING LOSS PREVENTION, AQUATIC SAFETY AND SWIMMING SKILLS AND EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS.

EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM - OUR Y IS COMMITTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EARLY EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. IN HOLYOKE THE SCHOOLS ARE IN CRISIS. MOST OF THE CHILDREN ARE ILL PREPARED FOR SCHOOL AND THEREFORE STRUGGLE. TO WORK TO CHANGE THIS CRISIS THE Y IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF AN EDUCATIONAL COLLABORATIVE ORGANIZED BY THE HOLYOKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WITH A FOCUS ON FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND SPECIFIC 0-5 LITERACY INDICATORS, MARKERS SET THROUGH THIS COLLABORATIVE, THE Y HAS EXPERIENCED SUCCESS. IN OUR Y'S KIDS PRESCHOOL PROGRAM WE BOOST EARLY LEARNING SKILLS IN LITERACY, SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE PROCESSES, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING IN A SAFE AND FUN ENVIRONMENT. OUR PROGRAM ENCOURAGES EDUCATION THROUGH CREATIVE, EXPLORATIVE ACTIVITY AND PLAY. THE CHILDREN ARE HAVING FUN AND LEARNING VALUABLE SKILLS NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL MOVING AHEAD.