Itasca County Family Young Mens Christian Association Inc

THE ITASCA COUNTY FAMILY YMCA (YMCA) IS A CHARITABLE, COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN 1979 WITH A MISSION TO STRENGTHEN OURSELVES, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES BY PROMOTING GROWTH IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THE YMCA INCLUDES MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES, INCOMES, RACES AND RELIGIONS AND IS DEDICATED TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. WE PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, STRONG VALUES, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY INTERACTION, AND INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTATING. ALL PERSONS ARE WELCOME AT OUR YMCA, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. OUR YMCA IS FOUNDED AND LED BY VOLUNTEERS FROM OUR COMMUNITY. OUR VOLUNTEERS SERVE AS MENTORS, COACHES, PROGRAM LEADERS, INSTRUCTORS AND POLICY MAKERS.

HEALTHY LIVINGTHE YMCA IS A LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE BRING FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE HEALTHY HABITS, AND FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, AND SHARED INTERESTS. AS A RESULT, OVER 5000 PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE RECEIVING THE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO ACHIEVE GREATER HEALTH IN SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS WE CONTINUE TO RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC WHICH WREAKED HAVOC ON PEOPLES' LIVES, DISTURBED THEIR ROUTINES, ISOLATED OLDER-ADULTS, AND CAUSED HARDSHIPS FOR FAMILIES. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES AND INCOME LEVELS. IN 2023 WE PROVIDED $101,224 IN FINANCIAL MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANCE TO ADULTS, FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FACED ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENTOUR YMCA IS COMMITTED TO CULTIVATING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN WHO COMES THROUGH OUR DOORS. WE BELIEVE THAT ALL KIDS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. THAT IS WHY WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THE VALUES, SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH AND PROLONGED EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. OUR YMCA PROGRAMS ENCOMPASS ALL AGES INCLUDING THE WEEFOLKSGARTEN CHILDCARE, SCHOOL-AGE CARE AND YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS. ALL OF OUR PROGRAMMING OFFERS A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. YOUTH PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES AND INCOME LEVELS. AT THE YMCA WE NEVER TURN AWAY ANY INDIVIDUAL FOR AN INABILITY TO PAY AND OFFER ASSISTANCE TO ANY YOUTH OR FAMILY WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FACED ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION. PUTTING OUR CHILDREN AND OUR COMMUNITY FIRST HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND WILL REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MISSION. IN 2023, THE YMCA PROVIDED $86,886 IN DIRECT CHILDCARE AND SCHOOL-AGE CARE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYOUR YMCA BELIEVES IN SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR ALMOST 45 YEARS. YMCA PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR FREE ACTIVE LIVING CENTER (OPEN TO ALL AGES), OUR FULL CHILDCARE, OUR YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM AND THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW WE DELIVER TRAINING, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THAT EMPOWER OUR NEIGHBORS TO PRODUCE CHANGE, BRIDGE GAPS, AND OVERCOME OBSTACLES. IN 2023, 155 VOLUNTEERS DONATED 3,067 HOURS OF TIME TO ASSIST IN ACTIVITIES THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY AND PAVE THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO THRIVE.