The New Canaan Community Young Mens Christian Association Inc

THE NEW CANAAN COMMUNITY YMCA'S MISSION IS TO ENRICH ALL PEOPLE IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT PROMOTE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AMONG OUR MEMBERS AND OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE FOUNDED ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES AND ARE GUIDED BY OUR CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. THE YMCA IS A MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION WITH MEMBERS OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES, INCOMES, RACES, AND RELIGIONS. OVER THE COURSE OF 2023, THE YMCA INCREASED ITS MEMBERSHIP FROM APPROXIMATELY 7,800 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TO OVER 8,300. THE YMCA HAS 28 MEMBERS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (INCLUDING TWO TEEN MEMBERS AND 5 EMERITUS MEMBERS). WITH THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES OF AN ESTIMATED 456 INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEERING IN POLICY MAKING, FUNDRAISING, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND PROGRAMS, THE YMCA IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND DEVELOPMENT, STRONG FAMILIES, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, AND INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ENCOMPASSES CHILDCARE, EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AQUATICS, SPORTS, AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE NEW CANAAN YMCA OFFERS: FULL-DAY CHILDCARE SERVING APPROXIMATELY 52 PARTICIPANTS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING SERVING APPROXIMATELY 50 PARTICIPANTS, AND SCHOOL VACATION DAY PROGRAMMING SERVING AN AVERAGE OF 28 CHILDREN ON EACH OF 13 VACATION DAYS IN 2023. OUR CHILDCARE SERVES CHILDREN 6 WEEKS OLD THROUGH AGE 12, PROVIDING A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. THE NEW CANAAN YMCA OFFERS NUMEROUS SUMMER CAMP OPTIONS. IN 2023, APPROXIMATELY 395 CHILDREN ATTENDED Y SUMMER CAMP. APPROXIMATELY 61 TEENS PARTICIPATED IN THE Y'S LEADER-IN-TRAINING AND COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING PROGRAMS. NINE TEEN & YOUNG ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS PARTICIPATED IN Y CAMP JAM WHICH WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR PARTICIPANTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WHO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION AND SUPPORT, BUT DO NOT REQUIRE 1:1 OR INTENSIVE BEHAVIORAL AND/OR PHYSICAL INTERVENTION. THE Y'S SPECIAL CARES CAMP PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH A VARIETY OF SPECIAL NEEDS (E.G., DOWN SYNDROME, AUTISM) MAINSTREAMED 16 CHILDREN WITH A TRADITIONAL SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE BY PROVIDING ONE-ON-ONE STAFF TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THEIR FAMILIES. IN 2023, 11 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN THE ESY (EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR) CAMP PROGRAM. ALL CAMPERS LEARN CONSIDERATION AND COOPERATION WITH OTHERS, FAIRNESS, INDEPENDENCE, AND LEADERSHIP. SUMMER CAMP HELPS TO BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM, AND A HEALTHY ATTITUDE. YMCA AQUATIC PROGRAMS PROVIDE SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY SKILLS, WHILE PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH THROUGH REGULAR EXERCISE. IN 2023, OVER 400 CHILDREN LEARNED TO BECOME SAFER AND MORE CONFIDENT IN THE WATER THROUGH SWIM LESSONS. APPROXIMATELY 391 CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS PARTICIPATED IN THE YMCA'S THREE COMPETITIVE AQUATIC TEAMS AND PROGRAMS. ALL TEAMS FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROPER MECHANICS, GOAL SETTING, LEADERSHIP, TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS, SELF-ESTEEM, AND THE YMCA FOUR CORE VALUES WITHIN THE REALM OF A SAFE AND MOTIVATING ENVIRONMENT. OUR TEAM MEMBERS GROW TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE STUDENT-ATHLETES AND ARE GREAT ROLE MODELS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO ATHLETIC AND PERSONAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, THE COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS PROVIDE BOTH YOUTH AND ADULT COMMUNITY MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS BY BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER IN SOCIAL GATHERINGS AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, THE YMCA OPENED ON 3 SATURDAY NIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY TO YOUTH IN GRADES FIVE THROUGH EIGHT AND 14 SATURDAYS TO YOUTH IN GRADES ONE THROUGH 4. THE PROGRAMS ARE OPEN TO ALL IN THE COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF MEMBERSHIP STATUS. THE YOUTH UTILIZE THE WELLNESS CENTER, GYM, AND POOL, AND PARTAKE IN SPECIAL EVENTS IN A SAFE, SUPERVISED ENVIRONMENT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF Y VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF. ATTENDANCE AVERAGED 65 CHILDREN (AGES 10-13) AND 27 CHILDREN (AGES 6-12) PER EVENT. APPROXIMATELY 763 CHILDREN IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW CANAAN YMCA'S RECREATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE TO LEARN SPORTSMANSHIP, TEAMWORK, AND HAVE FUN WHILE EMPHASIZING COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPING SOCIAL SKILLS AS WELL AS THE Y'S CORE VALUES.

THE NEW CANAAN YMCA IS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE DEDICATED TO PROMOTING WELLNESS AMONG PEOPLE OF ALL AGES THROUGH GOOD HEALTH AND EXERCISE HABITS. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE SET REALISTIC GOALS FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT AND DISEASE PREVENTION THROUGH AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE, PROPER NUTRITION, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. MEMBERS AGES 14 THROUGH ADULTHOOD PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF CARDIOVASCULAR, STRENGTH TRAINING, MIND-BODY AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS.THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, OUR MEMBERSHIP CONTINUED TO GROW, AND MORE IN-FACILITY CLASSES WERE ADDED TO APPROXIMATELY 100 CLASSES PER WEEK BY THE END OF 2023. APPROXIMATELY 112 CHILDREN LEARNED HOW TO SAFELY ACHIEVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AT THE Y THROUGH OUR FAMILIES IN TRAINING PROGRAM, WHICH ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO WORK-OUT TOGETHER AND HELPS KIDS AGES 12 AND OLDER TO BEGIN MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES.

THE YMCA STRIVES TO PROVIDE A WELCOMING, AFFIRMATIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL INDIVIDUALS CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE AND RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL WELLNESS REGARDLESS OF ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES. THE NEW CANAAN YMCA REMAINED COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO REQUIRE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BENEFIT FROM THE Y'S SERVICES. IN 2023, NEW CANAAN YMCA AWARDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF OVER $98,000 TO APPROXIMATELY 242 INDIVIDUALS FOR MEMBERSHIP AND OVER $23,000 TO 57 INDIVIDUALS TOWARD PROGRAM ASSISTANCE. IN 2023, THE YMCA PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $6,000 IN ASSISTANCE FOR 4 CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE Y'S CHILDCARE CENTER AND MORE THAN $36,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO 36 CAMPERS TO ATTEND SUMMER CAMP. APPROXIMATELY $8,300 WAS APPROPRIATED FROM THE PROCEEDS OF Y'S ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT TO COVER THE EMPLOYMENT COSTS OF AIDES AND A NURSE FOR SUMMER CAMP. WITHOUT A NURSE ON SITE THE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND CAMP. IN 2023 THE NEW CANAAN Y'S SPECIAL NEEDS DEPARTMENT COORDINATED WITH STAR TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. IN 2023, THE NEW CANAAN YMCA HOSTED A VARIETY OF EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY. APPROXIMATELY 200 PEOPLE ATTENDED A FREE WINTER WONDERLAND FAMILY EVENT IN DECEMBER AIMED AT BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER. FAMILIES BUILT COTTON BALL SNOWMEN AT HOME THAT WERE THEN DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT THE Y. IN 2023, THE NEW CANAAN YMCA AND 21 STRONG PARTNERED TO HOST THEIR 11TH ANNUAL WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY CELEBRATION WITH OVER 200 PARTICIPANTS AND 50 VOLUNTEERS. THE DAY AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF DOWN SYNDROME TO CREATE A SINGLE GLOBAL VOICE ADVOCATING FOR THE RIGHTS, INCLUSION, AND WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME AROUND THE WORLD. THE COMMUNITY EVENT FEATURED A VARIETY OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES INCLUDING FUN IN THE KID ZONE, MUSIC, A PHOTO BOOTH, CRAFTS, SPORTS, MARTIAL ARTS, DANCE JAM, GAMES, AND MORE, CELEBRATING THE ABILITIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN THE COMMUNITY. THE NEW CANAAN YMCA'S FOREVER WELL PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE NEED TO ENHANCE THE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL LIVES OF ACTIVE OLDER INDIVIDUALS. THE Y HELD 10 FOREVER WELL LUNCHES SERVING AN AVERAGE OF 30 PARTICIPANTS AT EACH LUNCH. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN SOCIAL CONVERSATION, MET NEW PEOPLE, AND ENJOYED VARIED ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES. IN 2023, APPROXIMATELY 33 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN ONE OR MORE SESSIONS OF A CANCER SURVIVOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM CALLED LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA. LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA IS A SMALL GROUP PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR ADULT CANCER SURVIVORS. THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED AT NO CHARGE TO ANY CANCER SURVIVOR IN THE COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO THE PHYSICAL BENEFITS, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT AND A FEELING OF COMMUNITY WITH THEIR FELLOW SURVIVORS, YMCA STAFF AND MEMBERS. TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF QUALITY OF THE PROGRAM AND SERVICE TO OUR PARTICIPANTS, OUR INSTRUCTORS ARE REQUIRED TO STAY CURRENT ON THEIR TRAININGS AND ENCOURAGED TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE POPULATION THEY ARE WORKING WITH. ALSO IN 2023, 12 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN A PROGRAM DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY PARKINSON'S DISEASE. EVIDENCE EXISTS THAT REGULAR EXERCISE CAN IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE. THIS 6-WEEK EXERCISE PROGRAM IS TAUGHT IN A SMALL GROUP SETTING UNDER THE DIRECTION OF A PERSONAL TRAINER WHO HOLDS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATION IN PARKINSON'S EXERCISE INSTRUCTION. IN THESE WEEKLY CLASSES, PARTICIPANTS ARE INSTRUCTED THROUGH A PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE EXERCISE PROGRAM THAT IN SOME CASES HAS BEEN SHOWN TO SLOW DISEASE PROGRESSION, BOOST MOOD, BUILD INDEPENDENCE, AND IMPROVE STRENGTH, MOBILITY, GAIT, AND BALANCE. IN 2023, APPROXIMATELY 23 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN THE RECLAIM THE RIDE SPINATHON, WHICH WAS A FUNDRAISING EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE NEW CANAAN YMCA LIVESTRONG PROGRAM. IT WAS A HIGH ENERGY CELEBRATION OF THE 150+ CANCER SURVIVORS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE BECOME STRONGER THROUGH THIS LIFE CHANGING PROGRAM. THE EVENT RAISED OVER $5,000 FOR THE PROGRAM.IN 2023, AN EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE SUPPORTED BY THE Y'S ENDOWMENT FUND, CONTINUED WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING COMPETITIVE WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. IN 2023, THE Y EMPLOYED SIX INDIVIDUALS IN ROLES INCLUDING A CAMP MINI ASSISTANT, WELLNESS ASSISTANT, AQUATICS ASSISTANT AND A CHILDREN'S PROGRAM ASSISTANT. THE NEW CANAAN YMCA CONTINUED ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH FACING THE FUTURE, AN ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN THE KENYAN SLUM OF KIBERA, NAIROBI, AFRICA. CURRENTLY, THE ORGANIZATION SERVES APPROXIMATELY 380 NEEDY CHILDREN. IN 2023, $34,280 IN DONATIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM GENEROUS DONORS AND SPONSORS. THE NEW CANAAN YMCA APPROPRIATED OVER $38,000 TOWARDS THE FACING THE FUTURE ORGANIZATION IN 2023. 100% OF CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT TO FACING THE FUTURE OPERATIONS, INCLUDING MEDICAL SUPPLIES, EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES, MEALS, AND BUILDING EXPENSES. IN ADDITION, THE YMCA SUPPORTS CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR QUALIFIED STUDENTS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. A BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS OF THE NEW CANAAN YMCA CONTINUES AS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER OF FACING THE FUTURE TO ENSURE QUALITY AND CONSISTENCY WITH PROGRAMS AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BOTH ORGANIZATIONS.