Young Mens Christian Association Of Ridgewood Nj

THE RIDGEWOOD Y OFFERS PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT LIVES THROUGH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, BUILDING SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. THE RIDGEWOOD Y IS A NONPROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES YOUTH, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES FOUNDED ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES AND COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING OUR NORTHERN NEW JERSEY AND CAMP BERNIE COMMUNITIES SINCE 1902, AS PART OF A WORLDWIDE YMCA. THE RIDGEWOOD Y LIVES THE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH THE PROFESSIONALISM OF OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, THE ENGAGEMENT AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL WE SERVE, AND A WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE, AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: FOR 120 YEARS THE RIDGEWOOD YMCA HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE HUB OF THE COMMUNITY, OFFERING A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO ASSIST IN THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING ADDRESSES ALL LEVELS OF COMPETENCE, RANGING FROM BEGINNER LESSONS TO ADVANCED COMPETITION, AND INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM CATEGORIES: * EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP * IN SCHOOL - BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING (CAMP BERNIE) * K-8 SOLUTIONS REMOTE LEARNING CENTERS (COVID RESPONSE DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSINGS) * ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT * LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT * COMPETITIVE SWIMMING AND SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING * YOUTH SWIM CLASSES * SUMMER DAY CAMP * SUMMER OVERNIGHT CAMP (CAMP BERNIE ONLY) * OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND WEEKEND GROUPS (CAMP BERNIE ONLY) * VACATION DAY CAMP * PARTNERED WITH GOATS BASKETBALL, RIDGEWOOD WRESTLING * PRESCHOOL CHILDCARE PROGRAM

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY HAS BEEN AT THE CORE OF OUR SERVICE FOR 120 YEARS. THE PRINCIPLES ON WHICH WE WERE FOUNDED REFLECT A SENSE OF SERVICE, COMMUNITY, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. OUR PROGRAMS, COLLABORATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS BOTH LOCALLY AND ON A GLOBAL SCALE MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE RIDGEWOOD YMCA TO HAVE A WIDE-RANGING IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY, THROUGHOUT THE TRISTATE AREA, AND INTERNATIONALLY. AMONG OTHERS, THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES OF SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH OUR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAMS. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MEMBERSHIPS, CAMPS, AND OTHER PROGRAMS LIVING STRONG, LIVING WELL DELAY THE DISEASE RAINBOWS FOR ALL CHILDREN SWIM, INC. (SWIM FOR LIFE) SWIM LESSONS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WORLD SERVICE PROGRAMS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FAMILIES OF DEPLOYED MILITARY PERSONNEL AND FIRST RESPONDERS A.S.S.I.S.T. WORKOUT PROGRAMS FOR THOSE WITH LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S AND/OR LIMITED MOBILITY FOOD DONATIONS TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY 7TH GRADE INITIATIVE (FREE MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL COMMUNITY 7TH GRADERS)

HEALTHY LIVING: AS REFLECTED IN OUR MISSION AND VISION OF THE RIDGEWOOD YMCA HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO PROMOTE A HEALTHY OVERALL LIFESTYLE, AND THEREFORE WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ADULT AQUATICS, AEROBICS, YOGA, MEDITATION, TAI CHI FOR HEALTHY BONES, PILATES AND PICKLEBALL. IN ADDITION TO THESE CLASSES, WE OFFER PRIVATE PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS AND LIFEGUARD TRAINING. IT IS THROUGH OUR HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMS THAT THE RIDGEWOOD YMCA IS POISED TO COMBAT OBESITY, ONE OF OUR NATION'S MOST CRITICAL HEALTH ISSUES. TO PREVENT ILLNESSES THAT ARE RELATED TO OBESITY, SUCH AS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DIABETES, AND OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES, OUR MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAINTAIN ACTIVE EXERCISE ROUTINES. THERE ARE MANY METHODS WE UTILIZE TO ADDRESS THIS EVER-GROWING EPIDEMIC: STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING IN OUR FITNESS CENTERS, GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES, COMPETITIVE TEAM SPORTS, AQUATIC PROGRAMS, AND PRIVATE ONE-ON ONE PERSONAL AND SPORTS TRAINING. IN ADDITION, OUR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE WITH OTHER CHRONIC CONDITIONS AS WELL TO PREVENT FURTHER DEBILITATION, MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE, AND INCREASE FLEXIBILITY, STRENGTH, AND MOBILITY. THE RIDGEWOOD YMCA PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES OUR MEMBERS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER. OUR COMMUNITY, CONSISTING OF YOUTH, TEENS, ADULTS, AND SENIORS PROMOTES A HEALTHY BALANCE OF SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. TO FURTHER REACH UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES, GROUP HOMES, ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS, AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES THAT REFER CLIENTS FOR MEMBERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS AT LITTLE TO NO COST.