Young Mens Christian Association Of Greater Grand Rapids

GUIDED BY OUR CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES, WE STRENGTHEN THE SPIRIT MIND AND BODY OF ALL INDIVIDUALS.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE Y'S YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IS TO INCREASE OUR CAPACITY TO PREPARE CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL AND TO SUPPORT THEIR YEAR-ROUND SUCCESS AS LEARNERS AND FUTURE CITIZENS AND WORKFORCE MEMBERS. WE ARE ENHANCING EVIDENCE-BASED EARLY LEARNING, OUT-OF-SCHOOL-TIME LEARNING, AND SUMMER LEARNING LOSS PREVENTION CURRICULUM TO IMPROVE THE ACADEMIC OUTCOMES OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN IN OUR CARE. OUR PROGRAMMING ALIGNS THE Y'S STRENGTHS WITH KEY EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES. OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEADERS POSITION YOUTH FOR KINDERGARTEN READINESS, READING CONFIDENCE, ACADEMIC SUCCESS, ENGAGED CITIZENSHIP, AND CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS. AT THE Y, OUR GOAL IS TO SEE A COMMUNITY OF HEALTHY, CONNECTED, AND SUCCESSFUL YOUTH SURROUNDED BY A NETWORK OF TRUSTED ROLE MODELS. WE DO NOT JUST TEACH PROGRAMS LIKE SWIMMING OR SOCCER, AND WE DO NOT JUST FEED CHILDREN. WE HELP BUILD CONFIDENCE, INSTILL TRUST, CELEBRATE TEAMWORK, CULTIVATE HEALTHY EATING HABITS, AND PROVIDE ROLE MODELS TO STRUCTURE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS INFUSED WITH PLAY. WE EDUCATE, STIMULATE, AND CELEBRATE YOUTH BECAUSE WE INVEST IN THE EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS. WE PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY HUBS, AND CHURCHES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY CHOICES WITH ACADEMIC ELEMENTS IN THEIR TRUSTED NEIGHBORHOOD LOCATIONS AND SERVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRUSTED LEADERS AND EDUCATORS IN THESE SPACES AND IN LEADING ORGANIZATIONS THAT GATHER EXPERTS, THOUGHT LEADERS, AND CHAMPIONS FOR THE WORK. WE CONVENE WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE EXPERIENCES THAT EXPAND THINKING, EXPLORE INTERESTS, AND STRETCH CAPACITIES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ALL. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS EARLY LEARNING: OUR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND COGNITIVE EXPERIENCES, WHILE PROVIDING PARENTS WITH CONFIDENCE, TOOLS, AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BETTER CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE FIVE. OUTCOME: MORE CHILDREN START KINDERGARTEN EQUIPPED WITH THE SKILLS FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL WITH A HISTORY OF SUPPORT REACHING DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES. PROGRAMS: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION GREAT START READINESS PROGRAMS EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC INTERVENTION, ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND HEALTH AND WELL-BEING ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR AND DURING THE SUMMER. SPECIFIC PROGRAM ELEMENTS INCLUDE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION, MATH AND SCIENCE, READING, WELLNESS AND NUTRITION, PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, TUTORING, LIFE AND CAREER SKILLS, COLLEGE AND CAREER EXPLORATION, AND SERVICE LEARNING. OUTCOME: IMPROVE GRADES, PREVENT SUMMER LEARNING LOSS, REDUCE RISK-TAKING ACTIVITIES, ENHANCE SOFT SKILLS, AND CULTIVATE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS: BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE LOOP IMPACT AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM YOUTH SPORTS YMCA CAMP MANITOU-LIN LEADERS/COUNSELORS IN TRAINING (LIT/CIT) SUMMER TEEN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY TED RASBERRY YOUTH LEAGUE (BASEBALL/SOFTBALL) YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT COOKING MATTERS SUMMER RESIDENT CAMPS SUMMER DAY CAMPS

HEALTHY LIVING - IMPROVING INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. THE HEALTHY LIVING OBJECTIVE OF THE Y IS GROUNDED IN IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES IN WEST MICHIGAN THROUGH SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE CHOICES. THE Y WALKS ALONGSIDE HEALTH LEADERS AND CONVENERS TO PROVIDE SERVICE AND SUPPORT STRUCTURES FOR OUR NEIGHBORS. CRITICAL NEEDS IDENTIFIED THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEYS, COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, SURVEY DATA, AND FEEDBACK FROM MEMBERS AND PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS SHAPE HOW PROGRAMS ARE PROMOTED AND DELIVERED. TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS ARE AIMED AT TRANSFORMING THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM ONE FOCUSED ON THE TREATMENT OF ILLNESSES TO ONE ELEVATING WELL-BEING, PREVENTION, AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE. OUR PROGRAMMING REMAINS DEDICATED TO RECLAIMING HEALTH, EMPHASIZING SUPPORT STRUCTURES IN THE COMMUNITY, ACHIEVING PERSONALIZED HEALTH AND WELL-BEING GOALS, AND CREATING AN ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE PATHWAY TO CHOICES THAT TRANSFORM THE INDIVIDUAL AND INFLUENCE FAMILY AND FRIENDS. HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMS HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND FITNESS: TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES AND GUIDANCE TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS, SO WE ALL LIVE OUR BEST LIVES AT EVERY AGE. OUTCOME: PEOPLE ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING GOALS PROGRAMS: YMCA MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL COOKING AND NUTRITION CLASSES PERSONAL TRAINING GROUP FITNESS WATER EXERCISE FITNESS FOR OLDER ADULTS STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING YOUTH/ADULT SPORTS LEAGUES RUNNING CLUBS WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM AND WEIGHT MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMING EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH: TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS THE CONNECTIVITY OF PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS INCLUDING CHILDHOOD OBESITY, FALL PREVENTION, AND CANCER SURVIVORSHIP OUTCOME: EMPHASIZE PREVENTION FOR ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING THOSE AT-RISK OR RECLAIMING THEIR HEALTH, AND PARTNERING WITH THOSE WHO INFLUENCE HEALTH. ADAPT PROGRAMMING TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY AND SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES THAT FIT EACH INDIVIDUAL. PROGRAMS: LIVESTRONG @ THE Y ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES: EMPOWERING ALL TO LIVE WELL THROUGH EDUCATION, ACCESS, AND EQUITY BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME PHYSICALLY ACTIVE. OUTCOME: THE HEALTHY CHOICE IS THE EASY, ACCESSIBLE, AND AFFORDABLE CHOICE, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES WITH GREATER HEALTH DISPARITIES. PROGRAMS: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, HEALTHY U, COOKING MATTERS, MICHIGAN HARVEST OF THE MONTH, HEALTHY CORNER STORES, VEGGIE VANS, COMMUNITY FITNESS CLASSES, NUTRITION IN ACTION

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - PROVIDING SUPPORT AND INSPIRING ACTION IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE OF THE Y FOSTERS CONNECTEDNESS, STRENGTHENS SUPPORT NETWORKS, AND ENCOURAGES INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THE Y ACTIVATES RESOURCES AND ENGAGES PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE POPULATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE ACTION. OUR PROGRAMMING ADDRESSES CRITICAL SOCIAL ISSUES AFFECTING OUR COMMUNITIES INFORMED BY THE NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. WE SEEK TO ENSURE UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES FEEL SUPPORTED BY THE Y, MOBILIZE VOLUNTEERS TO GIVE THEIR TIME WHERE IT IS NEEDED, AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS TO STRENGTHEN DELIVERY MODELS AND OUTCOMES. FURTHER, WE COLLABORATE WITH OTHER YS, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL PATHWAYS TO IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR ALL. CULTIVATING AND CELEBRATING THE FINANCIAL GIFTS OF OTHERS REMAINS INTEGRAL TO THE Y'S WORK AS A MISSION-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION LED BY PHILANTHROPISTS OF ALL TYPES. THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF OUR VOLUNTEERS, GRANTS, AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DONORS, WE CAN ESTABLISH THE COLLECTIVE RESOURCES TO CREATE IMPACTFUL CHANGE. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY EFFORTS PROVIDING CRITICAL SERVICES: TO COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO PROVIDE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON VULNERABLE FAMILIES AND UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS. INTENTIONAL-DESIGNED PROGRAMS ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO GOOD HEALTH BY FOCUSING ON EMPOWERING ALL TO LIVE WELL. OUTCOME: STRONGER, MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITIES AND RESPONSIBLE, CIVIC-MINDED CITIZENS PROGRAMS: FLEXIBLE PRICING / FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM COOKING MATTERS SAFETY AROUND WATER UNIVERSAL DESIGN AND ACCESS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ANNUAL CAMPAIGN YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT Y-USA NATIONAL ADVOCACY DAYS INVESTING TO REMOVE BARRIERS: TO SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN COMMUNITIES, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER, AND PROVIDING MULTIPLE PATHWAYS TOWARD MEANINGFUL CONNECTION, AWARENESS, AND TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE FOR BOTH THOSE SERVING AND THOSE SEEKING A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN THEIR OWN LIVES. OUTCOME: INCREASED PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENT AND VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT, AS WELL AS A SHARED SOCIAL CONTRACT FOR EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR ALL PROGRAMS: ASSOCIATION BOARD VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP BRANCH BOARD VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER CHAMPIONS PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS SAFETY AROUND WATER (SAW) FOOD ACCESS STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY: TO ADVOCATE FOR STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS KEY SOCIAL ISSUES AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES. THE INVESTMENT IN OUR KIDS, OUR HEALTH, AND OUR NEIGHBORS PAYS DIVIDENDS FOR ALL. THE WORK DONE TOGETHER RESPECTS THE INTERCONNECTED COMMUNITY WE CREATE. OUTCOME: MORE PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THE WELL-BEING OF COMMUNITIES. PROGRAMS/INITIATIVES: TED RASBERRY LEAGUE (BASEBALL/SOFTBALL) CAMP MANITOU-LIN CAMP PREP DAYS PARTICIPATION IN THE KENT COUNTY'S ESSENTIAL NEEDS TASK FORCE AND FOOD POLICY COUNCIL HEALTHY EQUITY TASK FORCE NEIGHBORHOOD COALITIONS