The Southington-Cheshire Community Ymcas Inc

THE ASSOCIATION'S MISSION IS TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING VISION STATEMENT: OUR YMCA IS DEDICATED TO BEING A KEY RESOURCE FOR AND PARTNER WITH OUR COMMUNITIES. WE ASPIRE TO BE A LEADER IN PROVIDING DIVERSE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT PROMOTE GOOD CHARACTER AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. AS THE HEART OF SOUTHINGTON AND CHESHIRE, THE YMCA IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING STRONG KIDS, STRONG FAMILIES AND STRONG COMMUNITIES.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - CHILD CARE AND YOUTH PROGRAMS - OUR YMCA IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF CHILD CARE IN BOTH SOUTHINGTON AND CHESHIRE. THE Y OFFERS HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FROM ALL ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR AT RISK TEENS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL GROWTH AND TEAM BUILDING SKILLS THROUGH EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. WE OFFER A VARIETY OF STATE LICENSED CHILDCARE PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 12 YEARS OLD. THIS INCLUDES 822 CHILDREN ENROLLED IN FULL DAY/PART-TIME PRE-SCHOOL CHILD CARE, NURSERY SCHOOL AND BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN OF WORKING PARENTS. WE ALSO OFFER A JUMPSTART PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE ELIGIBLE, BUT NOT QUITE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN. WE HAVE BEEN A COMMUNITY LEADER IN CHILD CARE FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE QUALITY PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE CHILD AND FAMILY AS A WHOLE. OUR RELENTLESS MISSION IS TO HELP MAINTAIN STRONG FAMILIES THROUGH QUALITY CHILD CARE THAT HELPS CHILDREN DEVELOP POSITIVE BEHAVIOR, SELF-ESTEEM AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES.WITH SUPPORT FROM THE UNITED WAY, COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS, LOCAL BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS, WE MAINTAIN A CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO HELP SINGLE PARENT AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES REMAIN ACTIVELY EMPLOYED IN OUR COMMUNITY. IN 2021, THE YMCA PROVIDED OVER $125,542 OF ASSISTANCE FOR 149 CHILDREN.THE YMCA YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM IS A "Y ON WHEELS" PROGRAM PROVIDED TO CHILDREN IN OUR LOW INCOME AND AT RISK NEIGHBORHOODS. ON A REGULAR BASIS, Y STAFF MEMBERS PACK THEIR CARS WITH SNACKS, CRAFTS, GAMES AND SPORTS EQUIPMENT. THEY MEET THESE CHILDREN ON THEIR "OWN TURF" PROVIDING ACTIVITIES DURING THE "AT RISK" AFTERNOON HOURS WHEN SCHOOL IS OVER BUT PARENTS HAVE NOT ARRIVED HOME FROM WORK. THE OUTREACH PROGRAM TEAMS OURYOUTH WITH YOUNG ADULT ROLE MODELS AND PROVIDES PROGRAMMING THAT PROMOTES CHARACTER BUILDING TRAITS --- CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY. THIS PROGRAM IS OFFERED ABSOLUTELY FREE OF CHARGE AND SERVES APPROXIMATELY 50 CHILDREN WEEKLY. THE PROGRAM'S SUBSIDIZED COST IS APPROXIMATELY $40,000 ANNUALLY.KEEPING TEENS INVOLVED IS A SPECIAL PART OF OUR YMCA. EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT DURING THE SESSION, THE YMCA OFFERS THE "TW-Y-LIGHT" PROGRAM ATTRACTING 200-250 TEENS. TEENS CAN SWIM, PLAY BASKETBALL AND PARTICIPATE IN SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS PAINT NIGHT, ZUMBA & YOGA CLASSES, DANCE PARTIES AND MORE, IN A SUPERVISED ENVIRONMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE UNABLE TO RUN THIS PROGRAM IN 2021 DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. WE HOPE TO START THIS PROGRAM BACK UP IN THE FALL OF 2022.OVER 50 TEENS PARTICIPATED IN TEEN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE YMCA LEADERS CLUB AND TEEN VOLUNTEER CLUB. COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS ARE SCHEDULED ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO REINFORCE THE IMPORTANCE OF "GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY". TEEN PROGRAMS SUBSIDIZED COST IS APPROXIMATELY $40,000 ANNUALLY.

HEALTHY LIVING - OUR ASSOCIATION VIEWS HEALTH HOLISTICALLY, AS IN A HEALTHY PERSON HAS UNITY OF SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE HEALTH AND WELLNESS, YOGA, TAI CHI, AQUATICS, GYMNASTICS AND RECREATIONAL AND TEAM SPORTS. THEY ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE DEVELOP NEW SKILLS AND SET REALISTIC GOALS FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT AND DISEASE PREVENTION THROUGH AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE, PROPER NUTRITION, STRESS MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH EDUCATION. A VARIETY OF CARDIOVASCULAR,STRENGTH TRAINING AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED FOR MEMBERS FROM AGE 7 TO SENIORS. DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE CREATED MULTIPLE VIRTUAL FITNESS PROGRAMS AND VIDEOS TO KEEP MEMBERS ENGAGED AND HEALTHY. WE HAVE CONTINUED THESE GROUPS FOR MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT YET COMFORTABLE COMING BACK TO THE Y IN PERSON.WE PARTICIPATE IN THE SILVER SNEAKERS, SILVER AND FIT, AND RENEW ACTIVE PROGRAMS, WHICH ALLOW HUNDREDS OF SENIORS TO UTILIZE OUR FACILITIES THROUGH THEIR MEDICAL INSURANCE. THE Y OFFERS REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR ARTHRITIC AND HEART REHAB PATIENTS AS WELL AS BLOOD PRESSURE AND CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGS. WE PROVIDE SUPERVISED EXERCISE PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM OSTEOPOROSIS. IN ADDITION, THERE IS DEDICATED PROGRAMMING FOR YET TO BE FIT WOMEN AND ADOLESCENT GIRLS TO HELP IMPROVE SELF-IMAGE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE.OUR YMCA AND LIVESTRONG JOIN TOGETHER TO CREATE A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND WELLBEING PROGRAM CALLED LIVESTRONG AT THE Y DESIGNED TO HELP ADULT CANCER SURVIVORS ACHIEVE THEIR HOLISTIC HEALTH GOALS. THIS FREE 12 WEEK PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY CANCER REGAIN STRENGTH, ENDURANCE AND FUNCTION THAT ARE LOST THROUGH TREATMENT AND RECEIVE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO BUILD SELF-ESTEEM. IN 2021, WE RAN MULTIPLE SESSIONS CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.WE ALSO RECEIVED A GRANT IN FROM A LOCAL FOUNDATION TO RUN DIABETES PREVENTION 12 WEEK SESSIONS. THIS PROGRAM IS OFFERED AT NO COST TO THE MEMBER AND TEACHES THEM ABOUT HEALTHY HABITS AND DIABETES PREVENTION. YMCA AQUATICS AND SPORTS PROGRAMS PROMOTE EXERCISE, TEAMWORK, LEADERSHIP, SOCIAL SKILLS AND SELF-ESTEEM. IN SOUTHINGTON, OUR FACILITY MAINTAINS THE ONLY POOL OPEN YEAR ROUND TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. THIS INCLUDES SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY SKILLS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, LIFE GUARD CERTIFICATION AND YOUTH SWIM TEAMS.AN INITIATIVE IMPLEMENTED IN ALL OF OUR CHILD CARE AREAS IS HEALTHY EATING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (HEPA), AND IS AIMED AT PROVIDING HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS AND INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING AFTER SCHOOL HOURS.YMCA PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO ATTRACT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES AND INCOMES. IN 2021, OVER $13,373 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED TO OVER 100 FAMILIES FOR MEMBERSHIPS TO THE YMCA AND PARTICIPATION IN AQUATICS AND SPORTS PROGRAMS. THIS IS SOMEWHAT LESS THAN PRE-PANDMIC YEARS, AS WE HAVE NOT YET REGAINED OUR PREVIOUS MEMBERSHIP LEVELS.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - DAY/CAMP OUTDOOR EDUCATION - OUR ASSOCIATION HAS OPERATED YMCA CAMP SLOPER OUTDOOR CENTER SINCE 1949AND YMCA CAMP QUINNIPIAC SINCE 1996. BOTH FACILITIES SERVE CHILDREN AGE 3 THROUGH 15 YEARS OLD. THE YMCA BELIEVES THAT CAMPING CONTRIBUTES SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE HEALTHY GROWTH OF CHILDREN. WE PROVIDE CREATIVE EXPERIENCES USING THE MEDIUM OF THE OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT TO PROMOTE SPIRITUAL AWARENESS, MENTAL DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL GROWTH AND A RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. A MAJORITY OF OUR CAMPERS COME FROM SINGLE PARENT OR DUAL WORKING PARENT HOMES. DAY CAMP HAS BECOME A PRIMARY SUBSTITUTE FOR CHILDCARE DURING THE SUMMER. MORE THAN 55 YOUNG TEENS ARE INVOLVED IN THE CAMP'S COUNSELOR IN TRAINING (CIT) PROGRAM. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, APPROXIMATELY 4,930 CAMPERS WERE REGISTERED FOR THE SEASON WITH AN AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE OF OVER 700 AT THE 2 CAMPS. GIVEN THE STRESS OF CHILDREN LEARNING REMOTELY AND BEING ISOLATED FROM THEIR PEERS DURING THE PANDEMIC, SUMMER CAMP WAS EVEN MORE NEEDED AND WELL RECEIVED THAN USUAL. OUR CAMP STAFF OPERATED SAFELY BY FOLLOWING ALL COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AND ANY OTHER RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES.ANOTHER SUMMER OPTION WE OFFER IS NACIWONKI SUMMER ADVENTURES. THIS PROGRAM UTILIZES THE Y'S POOL AND OTHER FACILITIES, FOR CHILDREN WHO PREFER MORE INDOOR TIME. FIELD TRIPS ARE PLANNED AS WELL AS THEMED PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. THIS CHILD CARE BASED PROGRAM ACCEPTS THE STATE FUNDED CARE 4 KIDS PROGRAM IN ORDER TO ASSIST FAMILIES WHO QUALIFY.CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PROVIDED TO MANY CHILDREN FROM SINGLE PARENT HOMES OR TO FAMILIES JUST STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. THESE CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND THEIR ONLY VACATION SURROUNDED BY WHOLESOME VALUES, NEW FRIENDS, AN ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT AND CARING ADULT LEADERS. IN 2021, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF $71,457 WAS GIVEN OUT TO UNDERPRIVILEGED AND UNDER-SERVED CHILDREN ASSOCIATION WIDE. OUR YMCA HAS ALSO PARTNERED WITH SOUTHINGTON BREAD FOR LIFE IN ORDER TO OFFER FREE BAGGED LUNCHES TO CAMPERS RECEIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THIS IS A GREAT HELP TO STRUGGLING FAMILIES AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED.THE FACILITIES AT YMCA CAMP SLOPER ARE ALSO A VALUABLE OUTDOOR RESOURCE FOR VARIOUS COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, SCOUTS AND OTHER YOUTH GROUPS TO ENJOY. OUR TEAM BUILDING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH, TEENS AND CORPORATIONS WORKS ON BUILDING COOPERATIVE EFFORT, ESTABLISHING BETTER COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPING TRUST. OUR NATURE PROGRAMS EXPOSE CHILDREN TO THE WONDERS OF THE OUTDOORS AND ENABLE THEM TO MAKE THEIR OWN DISCOVERIES THROUGH HANDS ON EXPERIENCES. AROUND 80 SCHOOL GROUPS USUALLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAMMING DURING A NORMAL YEAR, BUT MOST GROUPS WERE CANCELED IN 2021 DUE TO THE PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SOUTHINGTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION, FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS RECEIVED THEIR OUTDOOR EARTH SCIENCE STUDIES IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF YMCA CAMP SLOPER, INCLUDING THE MYERS FAMILY NATURE CENTER WHICH PROVIDES A DEDICATED AREA FOR THESE STUDIES.THE MEADE LIBRARY WAS CONSTRUCTED OUT OF AN EXISTING OPEN PAVILION AT CAMP SLOPER. GENEROUS DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN TO ENJOY READING AS PART OF THEIR CAMP EXPERIENCE. A READING SPECIALIST WAS ALSO GRANTED FOR THE SUMMER IN ORDER TO ASSIST THE CHILDREN.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES ENCOMPASS FAMILIES, YOUTH SPECIAL EVENTS, ARTS AND HUMANITIES, VACATION PROGRAMS, SENIOR CITIZENS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. THE YMCA SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB MEETS WEEKLY AT THE YMCA AND SERVES OVER 25 SENIORS. A MONTHLY LUNCH SEMINAR SERIES TO PROVIDE HEALTH, FINANCIAL AND OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST TO SENIORS IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. EACH SEMINAR ATTRACTS APPROXIMATELY 60 SENIORS. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS PROGRAM HAD TO BE TEMPORARILY HALTED DUE TO COVID-19 PROTOCOLS. WE PLAN TO RESUME THESE EVENTS ONCE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. OUR YMCA IS COMMITTED TO USING ITS RESOURCES IN COOPERATION WITH THE LARGER COMMUNITY AND ITS AGENCIES. OUR SOUTHINGTON BRANCH IS THE DESIGNATED PRIMARY DISASTER SHELTER FOR THE TOWN. IT IS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY ACTION ORIENTED TASK FORCE SOUTHINGTON SOS, WHOSE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE AID FOR VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS, PROMOTE READINESS IN CASE OF FUTURE DISASTERS AND ADDRESS SOCIAL SERVICE NEEDS. COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY THE YMCA INCLUDE AQUATIC AND FITNESS TESTING, CPR AND FIRST AID TRAINING COURSES AND LIFESAVING CLASSES AND CERTIFICATION. OUR STAFF WORKS CLOSELY WITH TOWN SOCIAL SERVICES AND YOUTH DEPARTMENTS TO FIND SERVICES NOT OFFERED BY THE YMCA FOR THOSE IN NEED. OUR FACILITIES ARE ALSO FOOD COLLECTION SITES FOR BREAD FOR LIFE. OUR YMCA HAS FORMED A COLLABORATION WITH ALTA AND THE UNITED WAY TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION STUDENTS TEAM BUILDING SKILLS THAT IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNICATION AND DECISION MAKING. THE PROGRAM MEETS REGULARLY AT THEIR SCHOOL, THE YMCA OR YMCA CAMP SLOPER.OUR YMCA HAS TAKEN A LEADERSHIP POSITION IN CONJUNCTION WITH STEPS (SOUTHINGTON TOWN WIDE EFFORT TO PROMOTE SUCCESS). STEPS IS A COALITION OF TOWN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAS ADOPTED THE 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS AS A WAY TO PROVIDE CHILDREN THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO MAKE POSITIVE CHOICES IN THEIR LIVES, AVOID RISKY BEHAVIORS AND PREVENT TEEN SUICIDE.WE ARE ALSO AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN THE SOUTHINGTON INTERFAITH CLERGY ASSOCIATION WHICH DEALS WITH VARIOUS SOCIAL ISSUES IN TOWN AND KEEPS OUR FAITH COMMUNITY CONNECTED.OUR YMCA PARTICIPATES IN THE NATIONAL YMCA MOVEMENT "PHC" (PIONEERING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES), A PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE TO MAKE HEALTHY LIVING A REALITY FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. THE INITIATIVE IS IN RESPONSE TO AMERICA'S GROWING OBESITY, CHRONIC DISEASE AND HEALTH CARE CRISIS. THE THREE STRATEGIES OF "PCH" ARE ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS. WE HAVE RECEIVED GRANT FUNDING FROM THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION FOR "PCH", A YMCA LED TOWN COALITION CALLED ACTIVATE SOUTHINGTON TO REDUCE OBESITY AND CREATE A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY THROUGH POLICY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE.IN ADDITION, OUR YMCA HAS COLLABORATIONS WITH HARTFORD HEALTH CARE AND LOCAL MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO ENHANCE OVERALL HEALTH WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. DURING THE YEAR, WORKSHOPS DESIGNED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH EATING HABITS, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, DISEASE DETECTION AND PREVENTION, AND PARENTING WERE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC.THE Y HAS ALSO HAD PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP ROLES IN OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS THE JUVENILE REVIEW BOARD, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE AND THE FARM HERITAGE COMMITTEE.OUR YMCA COLLABORATES WITH HARTFORD HEALTH CARE IN AN ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENT CALLED THE HEALTHY FAMILY FUN FEST. THIS FREE EVENT IS FILLED WITH HEALTH INFORMATION, SPEAKERS, SCREENINGS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND FUN ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES. IT IS USUALLY ATTENDED BY OVER 3,000 PEOPLE, BUT WAS NOT HELD IN 2021 DUE TO THE PANDEMIC PARAMETERS.IN 2021, OUR YMCA PARTICIPATED IN THE RACE 4 CHASE KIDS' TRIATHLON PROGRAM. SIXTY SEVEN LOCAL CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6 AND 12 WERE TREATED TO A FREE 2 WEEK PROGRAM THAT CULMINATED IN A TRIATHLON AT YMCA CAMP SLOPER. RACE 4 CHASE WAS CREATED IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF CHASE KOWALSKI, A SEVEN YEAR OLD BOY WHO WAS KILLED IN THE SANDY HOOK TRAGEDY IN 2012.OVERALL, OUR YMCA MAINTAINS COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS WITH OVER 120 AGENCIES, GROUPS, FOUNDATIONS AND BUSINESSES. WE ALSO PROVIDE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS IN TOWN, SUCH AS THE TOGETHERHOOD INITIATIVE. GROUPS OF VOLUNTEERS ARE ORGANIZED TO PERFORM NEEDED TASKS AROUND TOWN, FROM YARD MAINTENANCE TO COMMUNITY PROJECTS.