Young Mens Christian Association Of Rye N Y

THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF RYE, NEW YORK (THE "RYE Y") IS A FAMILY ORIENTED COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION WHICH WELCOMES ALL PEOPLE AND PROMOTES POSITIVE VALUES THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: WE BELIEVE THAT ALL KIDS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP YOUTH CULTIVATE THE VALUES, SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. AND, BECAUSE THEY LEARN FROM OUR ROLE MODELS, WE KNOW THAT THEY WILL ONE DAY BECOME ROLE MODELS FOR OTHERS. THE RYE Y'S YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDE AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE, FULL-DAY CHILD CARE, A PRE-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM, SUMMER AND VACATION CAMPS, MOVEMENT AND ENRICHMENT CLASSES FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS, AND YOUTH SPORTS (COMPETITIVE AND NON-COMPETITIVE). WE ALSO OFFER A SAFE SPACE FOR TEENS TO SOCIALIZE WITH FRIENDS, STAY PHYSICALLY FIT AND DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS. AND FAMILIES ENJOY FUN ACTIVITIES, SPORTS AND RECREATION TOGETHER. AT THE END OF AUGUST, THE RYE Y STAFF WAS EAGERLY ANTICIPATING THE OPENING OF OUR NEW EARLY LEARNING CENTER, WHICH PROVIDES FULL-DAY CHILD CARE FOR AGES 18 MONTHS TO FIVE YEARS. OUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM HAD RENOVATED SEVERAL ROOMS ON THE Y'S FIRST FLOOR, TURNING THEM INTO BRIGHT, CHEERFUL CLASSROOMS. WE HAD PURCHASED FURNITURE, PLAY EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND CURRICULUM. WE HAD HIRED NEW STAFF. AND WE WERE READY TO WELCOME 26 TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS ON SEPTEMBER 7. AND THEN, ON SEPTEMBER 1, THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA SWEPT THROUGH WESTCHESTER COUNTY, HITTING THE SOUND SHORE AREA WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN AND MASSIVE FLOODING. BLIND BROOK, WHICH RUNS ALONGSIDE THE RYE Y'S PROPERTY IN DOWNTOWN RYE, QUICKLY OVERFLOWED ITS BANKS AND POURED OVER THE Y'S PARKING LOT AND WALKWAYS. THE WATERS BREACHED OUR FLOODGATES AND OVERWHELMED OUR PUMP SYSTEM. THE ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR OF THE RYE YMCA WAS FLOODED WITH FOUR TO EIGHT FEET OF WATER. THE SHEER FORCE OF THE WATER RIPPED METAL DOORS FROM THEIR HINGES, SHATTERED WINDOWS AND DESTROYED MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE, SUPPLIES, AND WALLS. THE POWER WAS OUT FOR NEARLY THREE WEEKS. DESPITE THESE CHALLENGES, WHICH CAME ON THE HEELS OF A MONTHS-LONG PANDEMIC-RELATED CLOSURE IN 2020, THE RYE Y REMAINED COMMITTED TO PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED CHILD CARE TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY RESIDENTS AND WORKERS. IN OCTOBER, WE OPENED THE ELC TEMPORARILY AT THE RYE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION'S FACILITY. AND, AFTER EXTENSIVE RE-BUILDING, THE ELC OPENED AT THE RYE Y ON JANUARY 7, 2022. AS OF APRIL 2022, WE ARE SERVING 41 TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS. IN ADDITION TO THE NEW EARLY LEARNING CENTER, THE RYE Y SERVED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS IN 2021: * DURING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, 45 STUDENTS PLAYED AND LEARNED AT AFTER SCHOOL ADVENTURES (ASA), THE RYE Y'S LICENSED SCHOOL-AGE CHILD CARE PROGRAM. IN SEPTEMBER 2021, WE EXPANDED THE PROGRAM BY OPENING A SECOND SITE. OUR ASA PROGRAM NOW SERVES 85 CHILDREN AT THE RYE Y AND F.E. BELLOWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN THE RYE NECK SCHOOL DISTRICT. * OUR PRE-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM OFFERED 45 THREE TO FIVE-YEAR-OLDS A VARIETY OF FUN ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SWIM LESSONS, SPORTS INSTRUCTION, MOVEMENT, COOKING, ART, SCIENCE, GARDENING AND PLAYGROUND TIME. * THE RYE Y'S SCHOOL RECESS PROGRAM KEEPS KIDS MOVING, PREVENTS BULLYING AND MAKES THAT BRIEF TIME AFTER LUNCH A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE. DURING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, WE PLACED RECESS COORDINATORS IN TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE RYE NECK SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHERE OVER 700 CHILDREN WERE SERVED. * OUR SCHOOL BREAK VACATION CLUBS GIVE KIDS IN GRADES K-6 A FUN, ACTIVE MINI-CAMP EXPERIENCE AND PROVIDE WORKING FAMILIES WITH CHILD CARE. DURING THE FEBRUARY VACATION CLUBS, 129 CHILDREN ENJOYED SPORTS, GAMES, SWIMMING, ARTS AND CRAFTS, NATURE, STEAM, AND SPECIAL EVENTS. ANOTHER 100 CHILDREN AND TEENS PARTICIPATED IN SPECIALTY CLUBS FOR BASKETBALL AND GYMNASTICS. * KNOWING THAT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MEANS MORE THAN SPORTS, THE RYE Y RAN SEVERAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, INCLUDING MOVING & GROOVING TO THE BEAT, ROCK YOUR WORLD MUSIC, HIP HOP JAZZ, AND MORE. * THE RYE Y CONTINUED TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN RYEACT (RYE ACTION FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS), A GRASSROOTS COALITION THAT IS MOBILIZING OUR COMMUNITY TO PREVENT TEEN SUBSTANCE USE AND SUPPORT HEALTHY CHOICES. AS THE COALITION'S FISCAL AGENT, OUR STAFF HANDLES FINANCIAL MATTERS RELATED TO RYEACT'S FEDERAL DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES GRANT. * TEENS AND TWEENS NEED SAFE PLACES, CARING ADULTS AND POSITIVE ACTIVITIES. THE RYE Y ROCKED SATURDAY NIGHTS WITH FUN, GAMES AND FOOD DURING OUR SECOND SATURDAY EVENTS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, HELD MONTHLY FROM JANUARY-MAY AND OCTOBER-DECEMBER. * ALTHOUGH ONGOING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS PREVENTED US FROM RUNNING THE YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE (YBL) DURING THE 2020-2021 SEASON, WE WERE ABLE TO HOLD A SPECIAL BASKETBALL CLINIC DURING THAT TIME. SEVENTY BOYS AND 30 GIRLS PARTICIPATED. IN NOVEMBER, YBL RETURNED FOR THE 2021-2022 SEASON, WITH 100 BOYS AND 26 GIRLS PLAYING. * THE RYE Y'S AQUATICS PROGRAMS FOCUS ON THE BASIC TECHNIQUES OF SWIMMING, TRAINING FOR TEAM COMPETITION, AND SPECIALIZED SKILLS SUCH AS LIFE GUARDING AND CPR. THEY FOSTER INCREASED CONFIDENCE IN THE WATER AND TEAM BUILDING, AND GIVE SWIMMERS OF ALL AGES A FITNESS ACTIVITY THAT CAN BE ENJOYED THROUGHOUT LIFE. IN 2021, OVER 600 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN 2500 SWIM LESSONS. * DURING THE 2020-2021 SEASON (SEPTEMBER-MARCH), 90 CHILDREN AND TEENS DEVELOPED THEIR SKILLS, FORMED NEW FRIENDSHIPS, AND TRAINED FOR COMPETITION AS PART OF THE WAVE RYEDERS SWIM TEAM. ANOTHER 51 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN WAVERYEDER'S NON-COMPETITIVE TEAM. THE RYE Y'S POOLS WERE CLOSED DUE TO THE HURRICANE IDA FLOOD DURING THE FALL 2021 SEASON. * DURING THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR, 60 GIRLS EACH SEASON HONED THEIR SKILLS THROUGH THE RYE Y'S GYMNASTICS TEAM, PRE-TEAM AND TALENT GROUP. OUR PROGRESSIVE GYMNASTICS PROGRAM FOR AGES FIVE AND UP TEACHES SKILLS ON THE BALANCE BEAM, UNEVEN BARS, FLOOR EXERCISE AND VAULT IN A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. * FIRST FAMILY FRIDAYS BROUGHT FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN TOGETHER FOR MONTHLY THEMED ACTIVITIES AT THE Y. * EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC, WE BEGAN OFFERING VIRTUAL OPTIONS FOR ADULT, CHILDREN AND FAMILY EXERCISE AND ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING OUR RYE Y AT HOME YOUTUBE CHANNEL. LATER WE ADDED THE VIRTUAL Y, WHICH INCLUDED LIVE ZOOM CLASSES AND YMCA360. * IN OCTOBER, WE INVITED FAMILIES TO AN OUTDOOR COVID-SAFE HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL. CHILDREN DRESSED IN COSTUME AND ENJOYED FUN ACTIVITIES, ARTS AND CRAFTS AND TREATS. IN DECEMBER, 40 FAMILIES RECEIVED HOLIDAY GOODY BAGS AND SAID HELLO TO A VERY SPECIAL GUEST DURING OUR ANNUAL VISIT WITH SANTA EVENT.

AQUATICS SAFETY AND INSTRUCTION: KNOWING HOW TO SWIM AND BE SAFE AROUND WATER IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS A PERSON CAN LEARN. WE BELIEVE THAT THESE VITAL SKILLS CAN BE LEARNED AT ANY STAGE OF LIFE, FROM INFANCY (6+ MONTHS) TO YOUTH TO THE SENIOR YEARS. THE RYE Y'S AQUATICS PROGRAMS FOCUS ON THE BASIC TECHNIQUES OF SWIMMING, TRAINING FOR TEAM COMPETITION, AND SPECIALIZED SKILLS SUCH AS LIFE GUARDING AND CPR. THEY FOSTER INCREASED CONFIDENCE IN THE WATER AND TEAM BUILDING, AND GIVE SWIMMERS OF ALL AGES A FITNESS ACTIVITY THAT CAN BE ENJOYED THROUGHOUT LIFE. WE ALSO OFFER FREE POOL TIME FOR FAMILY SWIM AND TO OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2021, THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA SWEPT THROUGH WESTCHESTER COUNTY, HITTING THE SOUND SHORE AREA WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN AND MASSIVE FLOODING. BLIND BROOK, WHICH RUNS ALONGSIDE THE RYE Y'S PROPERTY IN DOWNTOWN RYE, QUICKLY OVERFLOWED ITS BANKS AND POURED OVER THE Y'S PARKING LOT AND WALKWAYS. THE WATERS BREACHED OUR FLOODGATES AND OVERWHELMED OUR PUMP SYSTEM. THE ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR OF THE RYE YMCA, INCLUDING OUR TWO POOLS, WAS FLOODED WITH FOUR TO EIGHT FEET OF WATER. KNOWING HOW MUCH SWIMMING AND WATER EXERCISE MEANS TO OUR MEMBERS, WE WORKED HARD TO REOPEN THE POOLS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, EVEN AS MUCH OF THE FIRST FLOOR WAS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THE FOUR-LANE "PA COPE" POOL REOPENED WITH A LIMITED SCHEDULE ON OCTOBER 25. THE SIX-LANE "BROOKSIDE" POOL NEEDED MORE WORK AS THE PLASTER POOL LINING WAS DAMAGED IN THE FLOOD. IN ADDITION, WE WANTED TO MAKE BROOKSIDE MORE RESILIENT BY REPLACING THE PLASTER WITH MORE DURABLE TILES. (PA COPE WAS ALREADY LINED WITH TILES.) WE WELCOMED SWIMMERS BACK TO BROOKSIDE ON DECEMBER 15. THE RYE Y IS COMMITTED TO KEEPING ITS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OPEN TO ALL FAMILIES, REGARDLESS OF ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCE. THANKS TO OUR Y CARES PROGRAM, WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS, SUBSIDIES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO ENJOY ALL THAT THE Y OFFERS. THE FOLLOWING AQUATICS ACTIVITIES WERE OFFERED IN 2021: * THE RYE Y IS A LEADING PROVIDER OF SWIM LESSONS FOR ALL AGES. IN 2021, OVER 600 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN 2,500 SWIM LESSONS. * THE GOAL OF THE WAVERYEDERS SWIM TEAM IS TO PROMOTE FUN, CAMARADERIE, FRIENDSHIP, NEW SKILLS, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND POSITIVE VALUES THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE POOL. DURING THE 2020-2021 SEASON (SEPTEMBER-MARCH), 90 CHILDREN AND TEENS DEVELOPED THEIR SKILLS, FORMED NEW FRIENDSHIPS, AND TRAINED FOR COMPETITION AS PART OF THE WAVE RYEDERS SWIM TEAM. ANOTHER 51 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN WAVERYEDER'S NON-COMPETITIVE TEAM. THE RYE Y'S POOLS WERE CLOSED DUE TO THE HURRICANE IDA FLOOD DURING THE FALL 2021 SEASON. * WE HELPED ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS STAY FIT AND SOCIALLY CONNECTED THROUGH WATER EXERCISE CLASSES THAT FOCUSED ON CARDIO HEALTH, FLEXIBILITY AND STRENGTH. * IN 2021, OUR MEMBERS MADE OVER 35,000 LAP SWIM RESERVATIONS AND OVER 2,600 RESERVATIONS FOR WATER EXERCISE CLASSES! * DURING NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH, OUR AQUATICS STAFF RAN A MONTH-LONG WATER SAFETY CAMPAIGN ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WITH OUR SWIM SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS SHARING TIPS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC. * SAFETY AROUND WATER (SAW) IS A FREE RYE Y DROWNING PREVENTION INITIATIVE THAT GIVES YOUNG CHILDREN THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO STAY SAFE IN AND AROUND WATER. IN JUNE, THE RYE Y'S AQUATICS STAFF LED A SERIES OF SAW CLASSES FOR 20 CHILDREN AGES 3-10 AT THE PORT CHESTER CARVER CENTER. WE RETURNED TO CARVER IN AUGUST FOR ANOTHER FOUR-DAY CLASS FOR A SECOND GROUP OF CHILDREN.

HEALTHY LIVING: THE RYE Y OFFERS MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS TO PURSUE THEIR HEALTH AND WELLNESS GOALS, INCLUDING A 3,800-SQ.FT FITNESS CENTER, GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES, PERSONAL TRAINING AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS INCLUDE LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA, WHICH HELPS CANCER SURVIVORS REGAIN THEIR TOTAL HEALTH; A BLOOD PRESSURE SELF-MONITORING PROGRAM; THE YMCA'S DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM; AND WALK WITH EASE FOR ADULTS WITH ARTHRITIS. WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY RE-EVALUATING OUR PROGRAMS TO ENSURE THAT WE MEET THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF OUR MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY. BY SEPTEMBER 2021, THE RYE Y WAS RETURNING TO SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMAL AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FORCED A CLOSURE, AND LATER, RESTRICTIONS ON OUR PROGRAMMING, THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THEN THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA SWEPT THROUGH WESTCHESTER COUNTY, POUNDING THE SOUND SHORE AREA WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN AND MASSIVE FLOODING. THE ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR OF THE RYE Y WAS FLOODED WITH FOUR TO EIGHT FEET OF WATER. THE SHEER FORCE OF THE WATER RIPPED METAL DOORS FROM THEIR HINGES, SHATTERED WINDOWS AND DESTROYED MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE, SUPPLIES, AND WALLS. THE POWER WAS OUT FOR NEARLY THREE WEEKS. THE FLOOD AFFECTED THE RYE Y, OUR MEMBERS, AND OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN MANY WAYS. OUR WEEKS-LONG CLOSURE WAS DIFFICULT FOR MEMBERS WHO RELY ON REGULAR EXERCISE AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS FOR THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH. OUR NEWLY RENOVATED CHILD CARE CLASSROOMS WERE DEVASTATED, LEAVING FAMILIES SCRAMBLING TO FIND CARE FOR THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN. AND IT WAS HARD FOR OUR HOURLY PART-TIME STAFF (E.G. LIFEGUARDS, INSTRUCTORS, MEMBER SERVICES), WHO WERE OUT OF WORK WHILE WE RECOVERED. HOWEVER, THE RYE Y IS RESILIENT. BY THE END OF THE YEAR, OUR FACILITY WAS CLOSE TO RETURNING TO NORMAL, AND IN SOME AREAS, WAS BETTER THAN EVER. AS ALWAYS, WE REMAINED COMMITTED TO KEEPING OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OPEN TO ALL, REGARDLESS OF ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCE. THANKS TO OUR Y CARES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUBSIDIES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO ENJOY ALL THAT THE Y OFFERS. IN 2021, THE RYE Y OFFERED THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTHY LIVING: * LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA IS A 12-WEEK SMALL GROUP PROGRAM THAT HELPS ADULT CANCER SURVIVORS RECLAIM THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOLLOWING A CANCER DIAGNOSIS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM WE CREATE COMMUNITIES AMONG SURVIVORS AND GUIDE THEM THROUGH SAFE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, HELP THEM BUILD SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS, AND REDUCE STRESS - LEADING TO AN IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE. LAUNCHED IN 2011, LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA IS OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE AND IS OPEN TO MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS. IN 2021, THE RYE Y RAN TWO IN-PERSON LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA CLASSES AND THREE VIRTUAL CLASSES FOR A TOTAL OF 29 ADULTS. WE ALSO RAN THREE VIRTUAL LIVESTRONGER AT THE YMCA ALUMNI CLASSES FOR 26 PEOPLE. * FOLLOWING A PANDEMIC-RELATED PAUSE, THE RYE Y RESUMED ITS COLLABORATION WITH WAINWRIGHT HOUSE, A LOCAL SPIRITUAL CENTER, BY OFFERING TWO YOGA CLASSES PER WEEK. * THE Y KEPT PACE WITH OUR SENIOR MEMBERSHIP THROUGH CLASSES AND PROGRAMS THAT KEEP ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS HEALTHY, FIT AND CONNECTED. IN 2021, WE OFFERED THE CRAFTY CREW (KNITTING, CROCHETING AND OTHER CRAFTWORK), BOOKED AT THE Y (A BOOK CLUB), AND MAH JONG AND CANASTA GAMES. THESE PROGRAMS TOOK PLACE AT THE RYE FREE READING ROOM, JUST A FEW STEPS FROM THE RYE Y. * RYE Y INSTRUCTORS BROUGHT WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES TO THE OSBORN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY, WHERE WE OFFERED FOUR STRETCH CLASSES A WEEK. * COVID-SAFE OUTDOOR GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES KEPT MEMBERS MOVING AND CONNECTED WITH OTHERS FROM MID-SUMMER TO LATE FALL. REGULAR CLASSES INCLUDED PICKLEBALL AT THE RYE RECREATION TENNIS COURTS AND BASIC TRAINING. * ON MARCH 25, THE RYE Y'S COMMUNITY HEALTH TEAM PRESENTED A VIRTUAL TALK TITLED "SUPER FOODS TO BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM" WITH REGISTERED DIETICIAN ALLISON CARBONE. * IN THE SPRING, WE HELD THREE SESSIONS OF WALK WITH EASE, A PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH ARTHRITIS. FOURTEEN PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN MARCH, 13 IN APRIL, AND 15 IN MAY. * ON MAY 19 AND 20, THE RYE Y CELEBRATED SENIOR HEALTH AND FITNESS WEEK. TWENTY-FIVE ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS ENJOYED TAI-CHI, BALANCE AND ACTIVE FITNESS CLASSES, OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE AND OPEN TO ALL. * IN OCTOBER, THE RYE Y AND RYE'S DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION TEAMED UP TO GIVE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS A "TRIP ACROSS NEW YORK". THIS FITNESS CHALLENGE WAS DESIGNED TO GET PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES MOVING WHILE LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY AND PLACES OF INTEREST IN NEW YORK STATE. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVED DOZENS OF ROUTES OF VARYING LENGTHS FOR EIGHT DIFFERENT NYS REGIONS. THEY THEN CHALLENGED THEMSELVES TO SEE HOW FAR THEY COULD GO BY TRACKING THEIR STEPS OR THE BIKING, SWIMMING OR WHEELCHAIR ROLLING EQUIVALENT. ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE PEOPLE REGISTERED FOR THIS FIRST-TIME EVENT, WHICH WAS ORGANIZED RYE Y AND RYE REC STAFF AND THE Y'S CROSS DISTRICT COMMUNITY WELLNESS VOLUNTEERS. * THE RYE Y LAUNCHED ITS FIRST ON-DEMAND CLASSES-RYE Y AT HOME-IN APRIL 2020 WHILE ITS FACILITY WAS STILL CLOSED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. LATER, WE ADDED LIVE GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES VIA ZOOM, AND ON THE VIRTUAL Y PLATFORM. THESE VIRTUAL CLASS OPTIONS CONTINUED INTO 2021. IN NOVEMBER 2021, THE RYE Y ANNOUNCED THE ADDITION OF YMCA 360 TO ITS MENU OF VIRTUAL OFFERINGS. DEVELOPED BY THE YMCA OF WICHITA, KANSAS AND NOW USED BY YS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, Y 360 OFFERS PROFESSIONALLY-FILMED ON-DEMAND AND LIVE-STREAMED CLASSES LED BY Y INSTRUCTORS.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: FOR 108 YEARS, THE RYE Y HAS BEEN A HUB OF COMMUNITY LIFE AND A CATALYST FOR POSITIVE CHANGE. DESPITE THE ONGOING IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND A MAJOR FLOOD THAT DEVASTATED THE Y'S ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR, WE CONTINUE TO LOOK OUTSIDE OUR FACILITY TO SEE HOW WE CAN SERVE OUR NEIGHBORS. THIS SPIRIT OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INFUSES EVERY ASPECT OF OUR WORK, FROM THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT FOSTER STRONG COMMUNITIES TO THE SMALL GROUP PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, WE DO ALL THIS AND MORE WHILE KEEPING A POWERFUL PROMISE: NO-ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY FROM A Y PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY BECAUSE HE OR SHE CAN'T PAY. IN 2021, WE DEMONSTRATED OUR COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH THE FOLLOWING: * OUR Y CARES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HELPS KEEP THE Y ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. IN 2021, WE AWARDED $237,742 IN PROGRAM AND MEMBERSHIP SUBSIDIES TO 479 FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO NEEDED A HELPING HAND. * THE GOAL OF THE RYE Y'S TOGETHERHOOD INITIATIVE IS TO ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE PROJECTS THAT HELP LOCAL NONPROFITS AND BUILD COMMUNITY. IN 2021, THE TOGETHERHOOD COMMITTEE ORGANIZED SIX PROJECTS, MANY OF THEM FOCUSED ON HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY. THEY WERE: "I LOVE MY PARKS DAY" AT JAY HERITAGE CENTER (MAY), PACK A VAN FOR HARRISON FOOD PANTRY (MAY), STUFF A BUS FOR CARVER CENTER (JUNE), PACK A VAN FOR THE LARCHMONT-MAMARONECK HUNGER TASK FORCE (JULY), GARDENING AT THE PORT CHESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL GIVING GARDEN (AUGUST) AND PACKING AND DISTRIBUTING GROCERIES AT CARVER CENTER FOOD PANTRY (NOVEMBER). * THE RYE Y PLACED A LARGE BIN INSIDE ITS ENTRYWAY IN OCTOBER 2020 TO COLLECT FOOD DONATIONS FOR BREAD OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY IN RYE. THE BIN REMAINED IN PLACE AS A COLLECTION POINT UNTIL IT WAS DAMAGED DURING THE SEPTEMBER 2021 FLOOD. * IN OCTOBER, THE RYE Y AND RYE'S DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION TEAMED UP TO GIVE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS A "TRIP ACROSS NEW YORK". THIS FREE FITNESS CHALLENGE WAS DESIGNED TO GET PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES MOVING WHILE LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY AND PLACES OF INTEREST IN NEW YORK STATE. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVED DOZENS OF ROUTES OF VARYING LENGTHS FOR EIGHT DIFFERENT NYS REGIONS. THEY THEN CHALLENGED THEMSELVES TO SEE HOW FAR THEY COULD GO BY TRACKING THEIR STEPS OR THE BIKING, SWIMMING OR WHEELCHAIR ROLLING EQUIVALENT. ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE PEOPLE REGISTERED FOR THIS FIRST-TIME EVENT, WHICH WAS ORGANIZED RYE Y AND RYE REC STAFF AND THE Y'S CROSS DISTRICT COMMUNITY WELLNESS VOLUNTEERS. * THE RYE Y CONTINUED TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN RYEACT (RYE ACTION FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS), A GRASSROOTS COALITION THAT IS MOBILIZING OUR COMMUNITY TO PREVENT TEEN SUBSTANCE USE AND SUPPORT HEALTHY CHOICES. AS THE COALITION'S FISCAL AGENT, OUR STAFF HANDLES FINANCIAL MATTERS RELATED TO RYEACT'S FEDERAL DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES GRANT. * SAFETY AROUND WATER (SAW) IS A FREE RYE Y DROWNING PREVENTION INITIATIVE THAT GIVES YOUNG CHILDREN THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO STAY SAFE IN AND AROUND WATER. IN JUNE, THE RYE Y'S AQUATICS STAFF LED A SERIES OF SAW CLASSES FOR 20 CHILDREN AGES 3-10 AT THE PORT CHESTER CARVER CENTER. WE RETURNED TO CARVER IN AUGUST FOR ANOTHER FOUR-DAY CLASS FOR A SECOND GROUP OF CHILDREN. * AS PART OF OUR SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL INITIATIVE, THE RYE Y SPONSORED THE 11TH ANNUAL HEADS UP! DISTRACTED DRIVING AND WALKING POSTER CONTEST FOR RYE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE CONTEST ENGAGED STUDENTS IN RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DISTRACTED DRIVING AND WALKING. SIXTY-FOUR STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE 2021-2022 CONTEST, WHICH WAS JUDGED-VIA ZOOM--BY SIX COMMUNITY LEADERS, INCLUDING THE RYE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE PRINCIPAL OF RYE HIGH SCHOOL. * THE RYE Y WRAPPED UP THE YEAR WITH A HOLIDAY SCARF, MITTEN AND HAT DRIVE FOR THE CHILDREN SERVED BY THE CARVER CENTER. WE WERE HEARTENED BY THE GENEROSITY OF OUR MEMBERS WHO FILLED OUR COLLECTION BIN WITH WARM WINTER ACCESSORIES.