Young Womens Christian Association

THE YWCA CORTLAND IS DEDICATED TO ELIMINATING RACISM, EMPOWERING WOMEN, AND PROMOTING PEACE, JUSTICE, FREEDOM, AND DIGNITY FOR ALL. THERE ARE FOUR CORE MISSION-BASED PROGRAMS TO INCLUDE AID TO VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE, HEALTH AND FITNESS, CHILDCARE AND MENTORING.

CHILD CARE SERVICES: THE PROGRAM INCLUDES SUMMER CAMP, SCHOOL AGE CARE AND HERE WE GROW CHILD CARE CENTER, PROVIDING CARE TO CHILDREN 6 WEEKS - 14 YEARS. THE SUMMER CAMP PROVIDED CARE FOR 147 CHILDREN. THE SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM, LOCATED IN CORTLAND, HOMER & MCGRAW SCHOOLS CARED FOR 147 CHILDREN. HERE WE GROW CARED FOR 51 CHILDREN. DROP-IN AND LEARNING ADVENTURE REMAINS DISCONTINUED THE YWCA AEI GRANT CONTINUES TO COLLABORATE WITH CAPCO TO PROVIDE TEACHING CREDENTIALS TO HELP WITH STAFF RECRUITMENT AS CHILD CARE STAFFING SHORTAGES REMAIN. WE STILL HAVE A YEARLY CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE DAYCARE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND THE CORTLAND SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE UNIVERSAL PRE-K. THE SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO HAVE LESS CHILDREN IN THE CORTLAND SCHOOLS DUE TO SPACE ISSUES WITHIN THE SCHOOLS.

AID TO VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE (AVV) PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE VICTIMS SERVICES TO INCLUDE ADVOCACY, CRISIS INTERVENTION, LEGAL REFERRALS, PHONE COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION EDUCATION AND A 24/7 CRISIS HOTLINE. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS BOTH EMERGENCY AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN. IN 2022, THE YWCA ADDED 25 UNITS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR WOMEN SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN. THE PROGRAM WAS ALSO AWARDED FUNDING FOR ANOTHER PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM OF 30 UNITS THAT WILL SERVE BOTH MEN AND WOMEN SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN. IT IS EXPECTED THIS PROGRAM WILL OPEN IN 2-5 YEARS.

HEALTH AND FITNESS PROGRAM INCLUDES SPECIALIZED LAND AND AQUATICS CLASSES FOR ALL AGES. THIS PROGRAM PARTICIPATES IN INSURANCE PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT SENIORS THROUGH A SILVER SNEAKERS CLASSIC AND SILVER SNEAKERS STABILITY WITH FREQUENT ATTENDANCE OF 20 OR MORE STUDENTS. OTHER CLASSES INCLUDE YOGA, GROUP X CLASSES, AQUATIC CLASSES, SWIM LESSONS, WEIGHT ROOM AND PERSONAL TRAINING. THE YWCA HAS A CO-ED AND WOMENS ONLY WEIGHT ROOM WITH PERSONAL TRAINERS. GYM AND RECREATION CLASSES INCLUDE PICKLEBALL, GYMNASTICS FOR AGES 1-12, BASKETBALL AND SPECIALTY CLASSES. INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE STAFF HAVE ADDED MORE WELLNESS CENTERED PROGRAMMING TO INCLUDE MEDITATION CLASSES AND RETREATS, EQUINE MEDITATION, AND SOUND HEALING. THE AQUATIC PROGRAM OFFERS A VARIETY OF WATER EXERCISE CLASSES INCLUDING A RANGE OF MOVEMENT CLASSES WHICH FOLLOW THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION GUIDELINES. SWIMMING LESSONS ARE FOR CHILDREN FROM 6 MONTHS TO 12 YEARS. PRIVATE SWIM LESSONS BRING IN ALL AGES FROM PRESCHOOL TO SENIORS. A RECENTLY ADDED PROGRAM, SOCIAL SENIORS CONTINUES TO GROW WITH MORE PARTICIPANTS JOINING WEEKLY FOR SOCIALIZING, GAMES, AND SPECIALIZED SPEAKERS.