Young Mens Christian Association Of Princeton New Jersey

THE Y WORKS EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE. WE BECAME A LEADING NONPROFIT BY HELPING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)

QUALITY SCHOOL AGE CHILDCARE FOR WORKING FAMILIES: WHEN SCHOOLS ARE IN SESSION, FAMILIES ENTRUST THE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN IN GRADES K TO 5 IN THE PRINCETON AND MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN OUR SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS INCLUDING MASH (MY AFTER SCHOOL HOME) AND PYA (PRINCETON YOUNG ACHIEVERS). OUR STATE-LICENSED PROGRAM EMPHASIZES THE YMCA CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY. THE Y ALSO OFFERS THE Y ZONE PROGRAM AS AN AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR QUALITY CARE FOR CHILDREN DURING OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME AND HOLIDAYS. Y SCHOOL-AGE CHILDCARE PROGRAMS HAVE A DEMONSTRATED TRACK RECORD OF ENSURING BEST PRACTICES, ACCREDITATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS, QUALITY STAFF MANAGEMENT AND RECRUITMENT, AND ENRICHING PROGRAM CONTENT. NATIONALLY, THE YMCA IS THE LARGEST NOT-FOR-PROFIT CHILD CARE PROVIDER IN THE COUNTRY. WE KNOW FIRSTHAND HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE TO FIND BALANCE IN ONE'S FAMILY LIFE, AND THIS WAS NEVER MORE APPARENT THAN DURING THE PANDEMIC. THAT'S WHY THE Y IS FOR WORKING FAMILIES EVERY DAY, MAKING SURE THAT THEY AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY HAVE THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE. DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE PRINCETON FAMILY YMCA WAS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE REMOTE LEARNING SUPPORT FOR ECONOMICALLY-DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN WHOSE FAMILIES COULD NOT WORK FROM HOME WHEN CLASSROOMS WERE CLOSED DUE TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.

FOR HEALTHY LIVING: WE'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT IMPROVING OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH AND WELLBEING. WE ALSO KNOW THAT STOPPING DISEASE FROM STARTING IS FAR MORE POWERFUL THAN FIGHTING IT ONCE IT ARRIVES. THE Y PROVIDES RESOURCES AND SPACE ALONG WITH SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE TO HELP MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE PHYSICAL FITNESS; ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL HEALTH ISSUES SUCH AS OBESITY OR DIABETES MANAGEMENT; AND ACHIEVE TRUE BALANCE IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. SINCE RE-OPENING THE FACILITY IN SEPTEMBER 2020 AND REBUILDING FROM THE PANDEMIC, OUR MEMBERS HAVE RESUMED EXERCISE AND FITNESS ROUTINES TO ENHANCE THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, WHICH INCLUDES USE OF THE SWIMMING POOL AND THE WELLNESS CENTER. SINCE THE START OF COVID, IT HAS BECOME EVEN MORE ESSENTIAL FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES TO STAY ACTIVE, PRACTICE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TO PREVENT ILLNESS AND DISEASE, MANAGE PAIN, REDUCE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION WITH REGULAR EXERCISE, AND CONNECT TO OTHERS SOCIALLY.

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: WE BELIEVE THAT ALL KIDS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. THAT'S WHY, THROUGH THE Y, MILLIONS OF YOUTH TODAY ARE CULTIVATING THE VALUES, SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. AMONG ITS MANY COMMITMENTS, COLLECTIVELY THE YMCA IS DEDICATED TO EQUITY INITIATIVES AND CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT/OPPORTUNITY GAP AMONG LOW-INCOME STUDENTS AND REDUCING SUMMER LEARNING LOSS THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS INCLUDING PRINCETON YOUNG ACHIEVERS (AN AFFORDABLE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM THAT SERVES 85-90 CHILDREN IN GRADES K TO 5 FOR FAMILIES WHO QUALIFY FOR FREE/REDUCED MEALS) AND THE ACE MENTORING PROGRAM FOR TEENS WHO ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT FROM SCHOOL. EACH SUMMER, FOR 9 - 10 WEEKS, THE PRINCETON FAMILY YMCA PROVIDES ENRICHING DAY CAMP EXPERIENCES FOR 500+ CHILDREN. ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN CAMPING ASSOCIATION (ACA), THE PRINCETON FAMILY YMCA'S SUMMER DAY CAMP IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL WAYS FOR YOUNGSTERS TO LEARN LESSONS THAT WILL SERVE THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. THE Y ALSO PROVIDES THE SEVENTH GRADE INITIATIVE (7GI), WELCOMING SEVENTH GRADERS TO SAFE SPACE AS THEY GROW AND TRANSITION TO MORE INDEPENDENCE, A SETTING THAT CAN BE ACCESSED BY FOOT AND BICYCLE. THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY HARD ON YOUTH, AND THE Y CONTINUES TO DO WHAT IT CAN TO MAINTAIN PROGRAMMING TO SERVE YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THE CRISIS. THE PRINCETON FAMILY Y WAS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE A SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM DURING THE PANDEMIC (2020, 2021) AND RETURNED TO ITS FULL SIZE IN 2022.