Long Branch Area Young Mens Christian Association

THE LONG BRANCH AREA YMCA IS A CHARITABLE, COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION AND PURPOSE TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. YMCA PROGRAMS FOCUS ON CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT THROUGH FIVE CORE VALUES: FAITH, CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. THE YMCA SEEKS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, STRONG VALUES, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY INTERACTION. THE YMCA SERVES MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, RACES, ABILITIES, INCOMES, AND RELIGIONS. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO CAN DEMONSTRATE FINANCIAL NEED. THE YMCA IDENTIFIES COMMUNITY NEEDS AND RESPONDS TO THOSE NEEDS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN YMCA PROGRAMS. THE LONG BRANCH AREA YMCA SERVES OVER 2,300 MEMBERS. IN 2023, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED TO APPROXIMATELY 20% OF YMCA PARTICIPANTS. OUR YMCA IS FOUNDED AND LED BY VOLUNTEERS FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

HEALTHY LIVING: FITNESS CENTER PROGRAM EXPENSES: OUR FITNESS CENTER, INDOOR WALKING TRACK AND GYMNASIUM ALLOW FOR PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE FUN, FITNESS, AND FELLOWSHIP EVEN WHILE NOT PARTICIPATING IN A SPECIFIC PROGRAM OR CLASS. FITNESS TRAINERS PROVIDE FREE FITNESS ORIENTATIONS TO NEW MEMBERS, INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO STRENGTH TRAINING, AND CREATE A PERSONALIZED WORK OUT TO MEET THEIR GOALS AND ABILITIES. THE YMCA PROVIDES A GREAT PLACE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND PEOPLE NEW TO THE COMMUNITY TO GATHER FOR A VISIT OR PREPARE FOR A MARATHON. WE FOCUS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERSHIP. ADULT PROGRAMS: THE ADULT PROGRAMS INCLUDE VARIOUS FITNESS CLASSES, BASKETBALL, SOFTBALL, PICKLEBALL, AND VOLLEYBALL. THE WOMEN ON WEIGHTS CLASS IS SMALL GROUP STRENGTH TRAINING AND HAS HAD AN OVERWHELMING GOOD RESPONSE FROM PARTICIPANTS. OVER 160 ADULTS PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL ADULT PROGRAMS. OUR SENIOR PROGRAM, STRETCH AND FLEX, HELPS OUR ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS REMAIN INDEPENDENT LONGER AND THEY BENEFIT IMMENSELY FROM THE SOCIAL INTERACTION. MANY EXPRESS BENEFITS THROUGH IMPROVED FLEXIBILITY IN DRIVING AND INCREASED EASE IN COMPLETING HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL TASKS, INCLUDING CARRYING GROCERIES AND GETTING OUT OF THE BATH TUB. EVERY WEDNESDAY WE SERVE COFFEE AFTER CLASS. APPROXIMATELY 50 ADULTS PARTICIPATE IN THIS FITNESS AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. THE CLASS IS PROVIDED FREE TO MEMBERS.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS RUN YEAR AROUND AND GIVE CHILDREN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE FITNESS, FUN, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT, THE FEELING OF BELONGING, EXPOSURE TO GOOD ROLE MODELS, AND IMPROVED SKILL DEVELOPMENT. YOUTH PROGRAMS INCLUDE: FLAG FOOTBALL, GYMNASTICS, BASKETBALL, SOCCER, RAG BALL AND CHILD WATCH. APPROXIMATELY 705 YOUTH ARE SERVED BY THESE PROGRAMS. CHILD WATCH SERVES BIRTH THROUGH AGE 11 AND IS A GREAT SERVICE PROVIDED SO THAT PARENTS CAN ATTEND A YMCA CLASS OR GET IN A WORKOUT WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CHILDREN. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL YOUTH PROGRAMS.