Hamilton Young Mens Christian Association

THE WORK OF THE HAMILTON AREA YMCA FOCUSES ON THREE SPECIFIC AREAS OF NEED FOR OUR COMMUNITY: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. WORKING WITH A VARIETY OF PARTNERS ACROSS CENTRAL NEW JERSEY, OUR Y PROVIDES ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT BUILD STRONG, CONFIDENT KIDS; HEALTHY, ACTIVE ADULTS; AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES. THOUGH WE ARE ROOTED IN CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES, WE WELCOME ALL WHO WISH TO FURTHER ENGAGE IN OUR MISSION IN AN INCLUSIVE, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.

1. HEALTHY LIVING. THE YMCA PROVIDES MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WITH TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO BUILD A HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THROUGH WEEKLY GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES, AQUATICS CLASSES, ACTIVE ADULT PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS SMALL GROUP AND ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING PROGRAMS, WE ARE IMPROVING THE OVERALL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY. BY OFFERING A WIDE VARIETY OF FITNESS PROGRAMS, FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES, THE Y'S DEMONSTRATES ITS COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THE IMPACT OF ITS MISSION OF HEALTHY LIVING IS FELT THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY. IN 2022, A VAST NETWORK OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS POWERED OUR WORK, AND APPROXIMATELY $1,359,624 WAS RAISED TO HELP FUND PRIORITY PROGRAMS AND KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

2. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. THROUGH Y PROGRAMMING, CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE LEARNING NEW SKILLS, BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE AND GAINING INDEPENDENCE. THESE ARE VALUABLE LESSONS THAT WILL BE VITAL BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THEIR FUTURE. IN ADDITION, THESE CHILDREN ARE PRACTICING POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, EXPLORING THEIR OWN UNIQUE TALENTS, AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADULT MENTORS. WE SERVED CHILDREN IN OUR YS OWLS ON-SITE PRESCHOOL AND IN NEARLY 900 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN OUR BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT 13 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE A TRANSFORMATIVE CAMP EXPERIENCE TO ALL CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN UNDERSERVED AREAS. THE LACK OF ACCESSIBLE HIGH-QUALITY, ENRICHING SUMMER PROGRAMMING MEANS CHILDREN MAY NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GO WHILE THEIR PARENTS ARE WORKING. FOR MANY CHILDREN IN POORER NEIGHBORHOODS, CAMP IS OFTEN OUT OF REACH, LEAVING CHILDREN IDLE AND ISOLATED. IN 2022, WE PARTNERED WITH THE LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THE BROMLEY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WITH THE JOHN O. WILSON NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TO REACH LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES PROVIDING 4 WEEKS OF SUMMER CAMP COMPLETE WITH HEALTHY MEALS, DRINKS, SNACKS, AND TRANSPORTATION FOR MORE THAN 53 CHILDREN. ALLOWING CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN STRUCTURED, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY FREE FROM THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROVIDING ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. ADDITIONALLY WE PROVIDED 60 FAMILIES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOTALING $75,000 IN 2022. ENSURING THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE A POSITIVE SUMMER EXPERIENCE IS IMPORTANT FOR THE STRENGTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

3. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE HAMILTON AREA YMCA HAS BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 7 DECADES. WE CONNECT TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS TO BRIDGE GAPS IN NEEDS AND BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY BY ENCOURAGING PHILANTHROPY AND VOLUNTEERISM. THE HAMILTON AREA YMCA CONTINUES TO BE A FORCE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY - WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS SPECIFIC SOCIAL, HEALTH OR DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS SUCH AS: LIFE-SAVING SWIM LESSONS FOR YOUTH, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO THIS CRITICAL SKILL. IN 2022, WE PROVIDED MORE THAN 2,000 YOUTH SWIM LESSONS. ADDITIONALLY, AS PART OF OUR COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY, THE HAMILTON AREA YMCA IS PROUD TO HELP CONNECT OUR NEIGHBORS IN MERCER COUNTY TO THE NEW JERSEY SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (NJ SNAP). INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED OF FOOD ASSISTANCE TO HELP MAKE ENDS MEET CAN FIND SUPPORT RIGHT HERE AT THE Y. WE'VE BEEN NAMED ONE OF ONLY 11 "SNAP NAVIGATORS" IN NEW JERSEY BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (NJDHS) AND OUR TEAM CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT ELIGIBILITY AND SCREENING, AND HELPS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES APPLY FOR NEW JERSEY SNAP BENEFITS.