The Greater Morristown Ymca Inc

THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA, FOUNDED IN 1874, IN THE CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS OF HONESTY, RESPECT, CARING, AND SERVICE TO OTHERS, SEEKS TO ENHANCE THE CHARACTER AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING ACTIVITIES TO ENRICH THEIR SPIRTUAL, MENTAL, AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING.

CHILDCARE: WE ARE PART OF ONE OF THE LARGEST NON-PROFIT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN THE COUNTRY, THE YMCA OF THE USA. THE YMCA IS AN INTERNATIONAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH ALMOST 3,000 FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. ALTHOUGH THE YMCA IS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS FITNESS AND AQUATICS FACILITIES, THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA'S PHILANTHROPIC FOCUS IS CHILDCARE. THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA HAS A RICH TRADITION OF CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND CURRENTLY MANAGES THREE CENTERS THAT ARE COLLECTIVELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAILY CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION OF OVER SOME 460 CHILDREN. OUR CENTERS ARE ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC), A DISTINCTION ONLY 7% OF ALL CHILDCARE CENTERS NATIONALLY RECEIVE. IN FACT, WE WERE THE FIRST YMCA IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO RECEIVE THIS ACCREDITATION INITIALLY SOME 29 YEARS AGO AND WE HAVE MAINTAINED IT SINCE VIA A RIGOUROUS EVALUATION PROCESS WHICH TAKES PLACE EVERY FIVE YEARS. AS A RESULT, OVER 90% OF OUR STUDENTS PASS OR EXCEED THE MORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT'S ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTERING KINDERGARTEN. OUR CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOL CENTERS INCLUDE THE RICHARD F. BLAKE CHILDREN'S CENTER IN CEDAR KNOLLS, (OPERATED SINCE 1988), CHILDREN'S CORNER AT MORRISTOWN MEDICAL CENTER (OPERATED SINCE 1996), AND ANGELA'S PLACE (OPENED IN 2020). THE RICHARD F. BLAKE CHILDREN'S CENTER AND CHILDREN'S CORNER PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND, EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND PRESCHOOLERS. ANGELA'S PLACE PROVIDES PRESCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-4 THAT ARE PART OF THE MORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT FREE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM. OUR CHILDCARE CENTERS HELP YOUNGSTERS GAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SOCIAL SKILLS WHILE DEVELOPING POSITIVE ATTITUDES ABOUT SCHOOL AND LEARNING. OUR PROGRAM ALLOWS PARENTS TO GO TO WORK WITH PEACE OF MIND, KNOWING THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE BEING CARED FOR IN A SAFE, STRUCTURED, AND FUN ENVIRONMENT. COLLECTIVELY, WITH AN AVERAGE OF 5-10 YEARS TENURE, OUR CENTERS EXCEED THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF TENURE FOR PRESCHOOL TEACHERS, AN UNPRECEDENTED AVERAGE IN THE FIELD OF CHILDCARE. IN SEPTEMBER 2020 WE OPENED ANGELA'S PLACE, A SATELLITE CENTER OF THE RICHARD F. BLAKE CHILDREN'S CENTER. THIS CENTER WAS OPENED IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE THE EXPANDED FREE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM WE HAVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MORRIS SCHOOL DISTRICT. CHILDREN AGES 3 AND 4 WHO, VIA LOTTERY, HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THIS CENTER, ATTEND SCHOOL MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 9:30AM TO 3:30PM, FROM SEPTEMBER TO JUNE. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THIS FACILITY IS USED AS PART OF OUR SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM. IT IS OUR MISSION TO ENSURE NO CHILD IN OUR COMMUNITIES IS DEPRIVED OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION. MANY UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDEN IN OUR AREA RUN THE RISK OF BEGINNING KINDERGARTEN AT A DISADVANTAGE WHEN PLACED IN A CLASSROOM WITH THEIR MORE FORTUNATE PEERS. PRESCHOOL REMAINS FUNDAMENTAL TO A CHILD'S ACADEMIC, SOCIAL, AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENT. THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA ENSURES THAT THIS VERY NECESSARY EARLY EDUCATION IS POSSIBLE AS IT TURNS NO CHILD AWAY FROM ITS CHILDCARE PROGRAMS, REGARDLESS OF HIS OR HER FAMILY'S ABILITY TO PAY. WHILE MANY FOR-PROFIT CHILDCARE CENTERS REGARD IT AS A BUSINESS, OUR YMCA REGARDS IT AS OUR VOCATION AND MISSION. TO DATE, THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN HAVE RECEIVED FULL DAY CHILDCARE WHEN THEY DID NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO PAY FOR IT.

BEFORE CARE / AFTER CARE / ADVENTURE DAYS: THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA MANAGES A BEFORE AND AFTER-SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM FOR THE MORRIS PLAINS SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH MORE THAN 100 CHILDREN ENROLLED IN GRADES K-6. WE OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE SERVICE, ESEPCIALLY CHILDREN FROM JERSEY BATTERED WOMEN'S SHELTER. OUR STRUCTURED AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SUPPLMENTS THE FORMAL EDUCATION BY PROVIDING THE CHILDREN WITH HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, TUTORING, AND HEALTH AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES DAILY BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 2:45 AND 6:00 PM. THESE CHILDREN ARE IN THE HANDS OF QUALIFIED CAREGIVERS. THE YMCA HOLDS ADVENTURE DAYS ON DAYS WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS CLOSED FOR RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS, PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES, HALF DAYS, ETC. THIS AFFORDABLE ALL-DAY CHILDCARE PROGRAM, HELD AT OUR Y-ZONE YOUTH ANNEX, ENABLES WORKING PARENTS TO ATTEND WORK AND REMAIN PRODUCTIVE WHILE THEIR CHILDREN ARE IN AN ACTIVE, SECURE, AND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. ADVENTURE DAYS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE A MEMBER OF THE YMCA. APPROXMIATELY 40 CHILDREN ATTENDED ADVENTURE DAYS PER DAY IN 2023. ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN OUR ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN IS A COMMUNITY-BASED FUNDRAISING EFFORT FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WE OFFER THROUGH CHILDCARE SCHOLARSHIPS POSITIVELY IMPACTS THIS LOCAL POPULATION BY GIVING ACCESS TO A QUALITY CHILDCARE PROGRAM THAT THESE DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES COULD NOT OTHERWISE AFFORD. THIS ACCESS TO TOP-NOTCH DAY CARE SERVICES ALLOWS FAMILIES OR SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT, SHORTENED HOURS, JOBS THAT DO NOT PAY ENOUGH TO MEET THE DAILY COSTS OR BALANCING JOBS WITH CHILDCARE RESPONSIBILITIES TO BECOME AND REMAIN PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. IT ALSO PRESENTS PRESCHOOLERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL POSITIVELY SHAPE THEIR EDUCATION, THEIR HEALTH, AND THEIR LIVES. EVERY YEAR, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS COME TO US SEEKING SERVICES THAT THEY NEED BUT CANNOT ENTIRELY AFFORD. THROUGH ECONOMIC UPS AND DOWNS, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO TURNING NO ONE AWAY FOR THEIR INABILITY TO PAY, BUT THE CHALLENGE IS GREAT. WE PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS RANGING FROM 20%-90% OF THE COST OF SERVICES SUCH AS Y MEMBERSHIP, CHILDCARE, BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE, SUMMER CAMP, AND MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM ASSISTANCE, HELPING TO SUBSIDIZE THE DIFFERENCE AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY MAKES THEIR CONTRIBUTION. FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT, SHORTENED HOURS, JOBS THAT DO NOT PAY ENOUGH TO MEET DAILY COSTS, ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND VALUABLE PROGRAM, BRINGS ENORMOUS, PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL RELIEF. FOR THE PAST 37 YEARS, THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA HAS RAISED MONEY THROUGH OUR ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN AND GOLF OUTING FOR SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE. AS STATED ABOVE, WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE BY SUBSIDIZING THE COSTS OF CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES RANGING FROM 20-90%, DEPENDING ON ABILITY TO PAY.

HEALTHY LIFE STYLE/FITNESS: THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA CONTINUES TO BE A FITNESS LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR FACILITIES AND OUR HEALTH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS ALIKE ARE INDISPENSABLE TO MANY MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL AGE GROUPS IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR HEALTH PROGRAMS ARE MEDICALLY-BASED AND PROMOTE THE VALUE OF PREVENTION THROUGH GOOD EXERCISE HABITS, NUTRITION, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. WE HAVE TAKEN STRIDES TO ENSURE THAT OUR FACILITIES ARE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE AS WELL AS FAMILY AND SENIOR-CITIZEN FRIENDLY. WE OFFER MORE THAN 75 FREE FITNESS PROGRAMS WEEKLY INCLUDING YOGA, CIRCUIT TRAINING, WEIGHT TRAINING, SPIN, AND PILATES TO NAME A FEW. WE ALSO OFFER FEE-BASED CLASSES SUCH AS TRX AND B-BOARD FOR MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS. WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH LOCAL AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE OUR SERVICES TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. WE ALSO PROVIDE REDUCED MEMBERSHIPS TO ACTIVE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA IS A HAVEN FOR A CROSS SECTION OF THE MORRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY. FROM AGES 6 MONTHS TO 96+ YEARS, OUR YMCA HAS PROVIDED SERVICES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ALL SINCE 1874 AND CONTINUES TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FABRIC OF THE GREATER MORRISTOWN AREA INTO THE 21ST CENTURY. IN 2023 WE EXPANDED THE TIME AVAILABLE TO PICKLEBALL PLAYERS TO SOME 30 HOURS OF GYM TIME DUE TO THE INCREASED INTEREST GENERATED BY OUR SENIORS.

SUMMER CAMP: THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA HAS OPERATED ITS SUMMER CAMP FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS AT THE YMCA'S FACILITY IN CEDAR KNOLLS. IN 2016 WE OPENED THE Y-ZONE YOUTH ANNEX, A BRAND-NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY TO HOUSE OUR EXPANDING CAMP PROGRAM. WE PROVIDE CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF THREE AND THIRTEEN, A SUMMER OF SAFE, FUN, AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES. IN 2023 WE HAD APPOXIMATELY 450 CHILDREN ENROLLED. OUR CAMP PROGRAMS ARE EDUCATIONAL; THEY PROMOTE MENTAL STIMULATION, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL GROWTH, AND RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. WE ORGANIZE AND RUN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES MAKING USE OF OUR FACILITY AND THE SURROUNDING THREE ACRES. THE CAMP AIMS TO ASSIST PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL AND SERVES AS CHILDCARE FOR WORKING PARENTS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. OUR CAMPERS ENJOYED WEEKLY FIELD TRIPS AND SWIMMING AT THE YMCA AND ALSO AT A LOCAL COMMUNITY POOL. THE SUMMER CAMPS OPERATED BY THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA HAVE BECOME A STAPLE IN THE MORRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY, WITH MANY CHILDREN RETURNING ANNUALLY. OUR LITTLE OWLS (AGES 3-5) AND KINDERCAMP (FOR THOSE ENTERING KINDERGARTEN IN SEPTEMBER) RUN FROM 8:00AM - 5:00PM WHICH IS CONDUCIVE TO WORKING PARENTS. OUR CAMPS INCLUDE THEMED WEEKS, ATTRACTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTS AND NEEDS. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE EXPLORATION OF NATURE, SPORTS, STEM PROGRAMS, MUSIC, SWIMMING LESSONS, ART, NUTRITIONAL COOKING, FIELD TRIPS, AND SO MUCH MORE. OUR CAMP IS A SAFE, PRODUCTIVE, AND FUN WAY FOR KIDS TO SPEND THE SUMMER MONTHS, GAIN SELF-CONFIDENCE, LEARN NEW SKILLS, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, CREATE LIFELONG MEMORIES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO SO WHILE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. IN 2023 ALONE, 30 CHILDREN RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE TO ATTEND OUR SUMMER CAMP THROUGH OUR ANNUAL SUPPORT CAMPAIGN. THOSE SAME COUNTY AGENCIES MENTIONED IN A "REPORT OF CURRENT ACTIVITIES", SEEK OUR ASSISTANCE EVERY SUMMER TO PROVIDE CAMP FOR THE CHILDREN OF THEIR CLIENTS. PRESCHOOL SWIM PROGRAM THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA HAS A VERY ACTIVE AQUATICS PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY SKILLS AS WELL AS PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH VIA REGULAR EXERCISE. CHILDREN FROM OUR CHILDCARE CENTERS RECEIVE FREE WEEKLY SWIM LESSONS AT OUR YMCA. IT IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY THAT ALL THE ENROLLED PRESCHOOLERS IN OUR CARE MASTER THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SWIMMING BY THE TIME THEY GRADUATE FROM OUR PRESCHOOL AND HEAD INTO KINDERGARTEN. IT IS PROVEN THAT KNOWING HOW TO SWIM SAVES LIVES. ACCORDING TO THE CDC, MORE THAN ONE IN FIVE FATAL DROWNING VICTIMS ARE CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 14. MANY OF OUR PRESCHOOLERS ARE MINORITIES AND CHILDREN WHO COME FROM NON-ENGLISH-SPEAKING HOUSEHOLDS. ACCORDING TO THE USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION AND THE CDC, 70% OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AND 60% OF HISPANIC/LATINO CHILDREN CANNOT SWIM. FURTHER, AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN DROWN AT A RATE NEARLY THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN THEIR CAUCASION PEERS AND THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGES OF SIX IS DROWNING. THE GREATER MORRISTOWN YMCA TAKES THESE STATISTICS VERY SERIOUSLY AND IS COMMITTED TO HELP THE UNDERPRIVILEDGED CHILDREN OF MORRIS COUNTY LEARN HOW TO SWIM, A LIFESAVING SKILL THAT WILL CONTNUE TO BENEFIT THEM FOR YEARS TO COME. EVERY WEEK, OUR PRESCHOOLERS HEAD TO THE YMCA TO ATTEND SWIM LESSONS. THE CLASSES ARE 30 MINUTES IN LENGTH AND THE CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT BASIC SKILLS FOR IN AND OUT OF THE WATER. WE FIND THAT THE CHILDREN WHO START OUR SWIM PROGRAM IN PRESCHOOL 2 (AGES 3 & 4) ARE USUALLY ABLE TO SWIM THE LENGTH OF THE POOL USING FREESTYLE AND BACKSTROKE BY THE TIME THEY GRADUATE PRESCHOOL. BECAUSE WE TRULY BELIEVE IN TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO SWIM, WE PROVIDE IT FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL OF OUR ENROLLED PRESCHOOLERS. THERE ARE FOUR SESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, 11 CLASSES IN EACH. ON AVERAGE, 140 PRESCHOOLERS RECEIVE 44 FREE LESSONS PER YEAR, AMOUNTING TO OVER $100,000 PER YEAR (INCLUDES LESSON FEE, INSTRUCTOR FEES, BUSING, LIFEGUARDS, ETC.) THE COST PER CHILD, PER YEAR, TO LEARN HOW TO SWIM IS SOME $800. THIS LIFE SAVING PROGRAM WAS REINSTATED IN MARCH 2022 WHEN RULES AND REGULATIONS HAD RELAXED FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC.