Young Mens Christian Association Of The Sewickley Valley

THE MISSION OF THE SEWICKLEY VALLEY YMCA IS TO BUILD A HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY BASED ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN, INDIVIDUALS, AND FAMILIES IN THE QUAKER VALLEY, MOON AREA, CORNELL AND AMBRIDGE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE YMCA PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAMS TO THOSE IN NEED, SO THE YMCA REMAINS OPEN TO ALL IN THE COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. IN 2021, THE SEWICKLEY VALLEY YMCA PROVIDED $486,600 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 923 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED OF YMCA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

CHILD CARE IS BOTH AN ECONOMIC ISSUE AND A CHILD DEVELOPMENT ISSUE FOR FAMILIES. THE YMCA PROVIDES AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO QUALITY CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SO PARENTS CAN WORK WHILE THEIR CHILDREN RECEIVE THE EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL AND BEYOND. IN 2021, THE YMCA PROVIDED $126,000 IN DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO 30 CHILDREN FOR CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. YMCA CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT: THE YMCA PROVIDES FOR THE CARE AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN YEAR-ROUND. IN 2021, 358 CHILDREN RECEIVED DIRECT CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FROM THE YMCA THROUGH ITS LICENSED CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE VITAL AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE FOR STRUGGLING WORKING FAMILIES SO PARENTS CAN AFFORD TO GO TO WORK. WHILE IN OUR CARE, CHILDREN RECEIVE EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT FROM AN AGE-APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDES FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS AND MATH (STEAM), ALONG WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY THROUGH STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES, EXPERIENCES AND PHYSICAL PLAY BOTH AT THE Y AND IN THE COMMUNITY. THE YMCA PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES IN NEED, AND ALSO PARTNERS WITH THE STATE TO PROVIDE ACCESS FOR LOW-INCOME WORKING FAMILIES. IN 2021, THE YMCA PROVIDED $126,000 IN DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO 30 CHILDREN IN CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. THE YMCA PROVIDES THESE SERVICES AT ITS CAMPUS, AND AT SIX EXTENSION SITES THROUGHOUT ITS SERVICE AREA, AND SERVES CHILDREN RANGING IN AGE FROM SIX WEEKS TO FIFTH GRADE.

YMCA HEALTH AND WELLNESS: SUMMARY: THE YMCA PROVIDES ACCESS TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS FACILITIES, PROGRAMS AND EXPERTISE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. THE YMCA PROMOTES AND PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR OVERALL HEALTH, CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT, AND A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL. PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS AND OUTCOMES: YMCA YOUTH AND ADULT HEALTH AND WELLNESS/DISEASE PREVENTION: THROUGH NUMEROUS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, THE YMCA PROVIDES ACCESS TO AND EXPERTISE IN THE PROMOTION OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. THE Y MAKES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FUN AND ENJOYABLE FOR CHILDREN, GIVING THEM THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BUILD A HEALTHY AND ACTIVE LIFE. THROUGHOUT OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS, THE Y PROVIDES HEALTHY SNACKS AND FOODS, AND OFFERS WATER AS THE DRINK OF CHOICE FOR CHILDREN. THE Y RECOGNIZES THAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY IS A GROWING NATIONAL CHALLENGE THAT WILL COST OUR NATION VALUABLE RESOURCES. THE SEWICKLEY VALLEY YMCA ALSO ABIDES BY THE HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STANDARDS FOR CHILDREN IN OUR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS WHICH PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH A CONSISTENT EXAMPLE AND MODELING OF HEALTHY BEHAVIORS. ADULTS HAVE ACCESS TO WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND COACHING, AND CAN PARTICIPATE IN GROUP WELLNESS PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND FOUNDATIONS TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE FOR ALL PHASES OF LIFE AND PHYSICAL ABILITY.THE YMCA PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS RECOVERING FROM SURGERY OR ILLNESS, AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE COPING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES, SUCH AS ARTHRITIS AND OTHER JOINT ISSUES, AND OBESITY AND ITS RELATED CONDITIONS.IN 2021, THE SEWICKLEY VALLEY YMCA CONTINUED TO OFFER HEALTH-IMPROVING PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC CONDITIONS OF ARTHRITIS, PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND CANCER.THESE EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS PROVIDE SUPPORT, COACHING AND HOLISTIC WELLNESS FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM DISEASE. OVER TIME THESE PROGRAMS ARE SHOWN TO REDUCE RELIANCE ON MEDICAL TREATMENT AND LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE. THE YMCA PROVIDES COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO PROMOTE HEALTH. THE Y CONTINUES TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PROMOTE HEALTY BEHAVIORS THROUGH FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS, PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL HEALTH FAIRS AND COOPERATING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO LEND OUR EXPERTISE AS NEEDED. IN 2021, THE Y RECORDED 174,973 RECREATIONAL VISITS FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN EXERCISE CLASSES, SWAM IN THE Y'S TWO POOLS, UTILIZED HEALTH AND WELLNESS EQUIPMENT, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND PARTICIPATED IN GROUP SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES. THE Y PROVIDED 736 PEOPLE WITH A TOTAL OF $203,791 IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ACCESS THESE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. YMCA AQUATICS: THE YMCA BELIEVES THAT PROVIDING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR SAFE ENJOYMENT OF THE WATER CAN OPEN THE DOORS TO A LIFETIME OF WELLNESS AND PREVENT CHILD AND ADULT DROWNINGS. THE YMCA PROVIDES SWIM LESSONS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF ALL AGES, AND IN 2021 PROVIDED 688 CHILDREN WITH SWIM LESSONS. THE YMCA ALSO PROVIDED IN 2021 FREE SWIM LESSONS TO 32 CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, AND WILL RESUME THIS PROGRAM ONCE PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED. THIS PROGRAM HELPS CHILDREN LEARN WATER SAFETY AND DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING AND BUILDING SOCIAL BONDS AND IS TAUGHT BY STAFF TRAINED FOR THIS POPULATION. THE YMCA BUILDS CHARACTER AND LIFE SKILLS BY ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE Y SWIM TEAM PROGRAM WHERE THEY ARE COACHED IN WAYS THAT BUILD ON OUR CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY.THE Y HOSTS THE JOINT QUAKER VALLEY/SEWICKLEY ACADEMY SWIM TEAM EACH SEASON SO AS TO RELIEVE THE DISTRICT OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF HAVING TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN ITS OWN POOL. THE YMCA PROVIDED 130 HOURS OF POOL TIME AND LIFEGUARD STAFF IN SUPPORT OF THE QUAKER VALLEY/SEWICKLEY ACADEMY SWIM TEAM. IN 2021, THE Y RECORDED 1,823 REGISTRATIONS FOR WATER AEROBICS CLASSES SERVING A PRIMARILY ELDERLY POPULATION. YMCA OLDER ADULTS THE YMCA PROVIDES NUMEROUS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF OLDER ADULTS. THE YMCA PROMOTES AND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF STRONG SOCIAL CONNECTIONS, ACCESS TO VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND CONNECTS SENIORS WITH NEEDED COMMUNITY RESOURCES. THE YMCA ALSO OPERATES AND MAINTAINS A VOLUNTEER-BASED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FOR SENIORS THAT PROVIDES FREE TRANSPORTATION TO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS AND MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR SENIORS IN OUR AREA WHO ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE BUT OTHERWISE ARE FIT TO LIVE IN THEIR HOMES AND REMAIN IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN 2021, THE FAITH IN ACTION PROGRAM ORGANIZED 121 VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDED 494 TRIPS FOR 312 ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY SO THEY COULD RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE, AND DELIVERED 1,687 FOOD BOXES TO LOCAL FAMILIES, INCLUDING THE ELDERLY, WHO WERE STRUGGLING WITH FOOD INSECURITY EXACERBATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. WITHOUT THIS SERVICE, SENIORS IN OUR AREA MAY BE FORCED TO MOVE INTO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES, OR FORGO MEDICAL CARE AND TREATMENTS FOR LACK OF TRANSPORTATION TO ACCESS CARE. EIGHTY FIVE PERCENT OF SENIORS SERVED IN THIS PROGRAM ARE AGE 70 OR OLDER, AND 71 PERCENT HAVE LITTLE OR NO FAMILY SUPPORT IN THE VICINITY. THE Y OFFERS NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS TO BE SOCIALLY ENGAGED WITH OTHERS THROUGH CLUBS, LUNCHES, COFFEE SESSIONS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO MEET THEIR NEEDS. THE Y ALSO OFFERS NUMBEROUS WELLNESS CLASSES BOTH IN WATER AND ON LAND TARGETED TO HELP OLDER ADULTS AGE IN HEALTHY WAYS.

OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES

SUMMARY: THE YMCA OFFERS YOUTH AND TEENS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT ALLOW CHILDREN TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS, CHILDREN HAVE THE ABILITY TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY LEARN THE CHARACTER VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONIBILITY. YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP: DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, CHILDREN AND PARENTS ARE FACED WITH WEEKS OF UNSTRUCTURED TIME. THE YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP PROVIDES A STRUCTURED AND FUN ATMOSPHERE FOR CHILDREN TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE, DEVELOP NEW SKILLS, IMPROVE THEIR SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY, AND GROW SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY AS THEY MEET NEW PEOPLE AND TAKE ON NEW CHALLENGES. IN 2021, 639 REGISTERED CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN THE Y'S SUMMER DAY CAMP. THE YMCA PROVIDED $94,000 IN DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 110 CHILDREN ATTENDING CAMP. YMCA YOUTH AND TEEN SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES: THE YMCA PROVIDES NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES YEAR-ROUND FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES TO ENGAGE IN HEALTHY ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE THE YMCA CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY. FROM SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR BASKETBALL, FLAG FOOTBALL AND FLOOR HOCKEY, TO PARENT-CHILD PROGRAMS LIKE FAMILY GYM, CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND GROW WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND AS INDIVIDUALS AT THE YMCA. THE YMCA OASIS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM PROVIDES A SAFE AND HEALTHY PLACE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE AFTER-SCHOOL HOURS WHERE THEY CAN GET A HEALTHY SNACK, TUTORING, ENJOY ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES AND HAVE THE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT OF CARING ADULTS WHEN MANY CHILDREN WOULD OTHERWISE GO HOME TO AN EMPTY HOUSE, OR FALL PREY TO RISKY BEHAVIORS. THIS PROGRAM IS FREE TO ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY, AND HAS AVERAGE ATTENDANCE OF 25-30 YOUTHS A DAY. IN REPSONSE TO THE PANDEMIC AND THE SHIFT TO VIRTUAL LEARNING, THE Y TOOK THE OASIS PROGRAM TO THE COMMNITY AND PROVIDED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND FOOD IN THE AFTER-SCHOOL HOURS IN THE COMMUNITIES OF AMBRIDGE, CRESCENT AND LEETSDALE. THE YMCA COLLABORATES WITH OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF NEED, POOL RESOURCES FOR PROGRAMS, SHARE FACILITIES, INFORMATION AND BEST PRACTICES ON MATTERS RELATED TO CHILD GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND EMERGING CHALLENGES. FOOD INSECURITY. IN 2021, THE YMCA CONTINUED ITS FOOD INSECURITY PROGRAM AND EXPANDED IT WITH THE ADDITION OF NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD PANTRIES. THE YMCA DELIVERS FOOD BOXES MONTHLY TO RESIDENTS IN NEED, AVERAGING 75 DELIVERIES PER MONTH. THESE BOXES CONTAIN HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS FOODS AND PANTRY ITEMS AND ARE ORGANIZED AND DELIVERED BY VOLUNTEERS. THE YMCA ALSO DISTRIBUTED USDA-PROVIDED FOOD BOXES THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE AREA. THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD PANTRIES SUPPLY NONPERISHIBLE ITEMS THAT A RESIDENT CAN ACCESS AT ANY TIME. THESE FOOD PANTRIES ARE LOCATED IN SEWICKLEY, LEETSDALE, FAIR OAKS, AMBRIDGE, CORAOPOLIS AND CRESCENT. IN 2021 THE YMCA PROVIDED 50,000 POUNDS OF FOOD VALUED AT $87,000