Young Mens Christian Association

PROVIDE PROGRAMS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO HEALTHY LIVING, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

HEALTHY LIVING: COMMITTED TO THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF OUR CHILDREN, THE YMCA'S PHD (PHYSICAL, HEALTHY AND DRIVEN) PROGRAM, MADE A REBOUND TO PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND PLAY IN OUR CHILDCARE, AFTERSCHOOL AND CAMP PROGRAMS. YMCA STAFF PROVIDED PHYSICAL EXERCISE, NUTRITION LESSONS AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES THAT WERE FUN IN NATURE AND IN SOME CASES, CONVERTED SOME PHD LESSONS INTO VIRTUAL CLASSES THAT FAMILIES COULD USE TO CONTINUE TO STAY ACTIVE AND HELP COMBAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY. CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND SENIORS PURSUED A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IN OUR SIX LOCAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING CENTERS WITH Y MEMBERSHIP. CHILDREN, TEENS, ADULTS, AND SENIORS PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS AND CLASSES AT THE Y THAT HELPED THEM BUILD STRONG SPIRITS, MINDS, AND BODIES.

DEVELOPMENTAL CARE: THE YMCA PROVIDED CHILD CARE FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN FROM 6 WEEKS TO 14 YEARS OLD. CHILD CARE IS PROVIDED FOR THE ENTIRE DAY OR BEFORE-AND-AFTER SCHOOL. WOVEN INTO THE YMCA MISSION IS A COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. YMCA CHILDCARE PROGRAMS RELIEVE THE BURDEN OF BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN OUR CARE TO REMAIN GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, KNOWING THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING IN A SAFE, DEVELOPMENTALLY SOUND ENVIRONMENT. OUR CHILD CARE LOCATIONS MEET AND OFTEN EXCEED THE REQUIRED LICENSED STANDARDS. THE YMCA IS THE LARGEST NONPROFIT PROVIDER OF CHILDCARE IN THE WASHINGTON AREA. MEMBERS OF THE YMCA'S STAFF ARE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS, IMPLEMENTING A CURRICULUM THAT ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-CONFIDENCE, MOTOR SKILLS AND A POSITIVE SOCIAL ATTITUDE ENGAGING IN AGE-APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES.THINGAMAJIG:NOT EVEN A PANDEMIC COULD STOP THE YMCA'S ANNUAL STEM THINGAMAJIG INVENTION CONVENTION FROM BEING HELD. RATHER THAN BE CANCELLED, THINGAMAJIG RE-INVENTED ITS PRESENCE TO A MAINLY VIRTUAL EVENT, ALLOWING YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO DREAM, INVENT, AND PRESENT THEIR INVENTIVE DESIGNS THROUGH THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED ONLINE PLATFORM. IN ADDITION, THE 11,250 CHILDREN ATTENDING THE YMCA'S SUMMER PROGRAMS (SUMMER DAY CAMP/POWER SCHOLARS ACADEMY/COMMUNITY PARENT) CONTINUED TO EXPLORE AND EXPERIMENT WITH RECYCLABLES IN DESIGNING NEW AND IMPROVED WAYS OF THINKING ABOUT OUR FUTURE. IN ADDITION TO THE THINGAMAJIG YOUTH, THE YMCA PROMOTES STEM THROUGH CONNECTING YOUNG PEOPLE IN REGULAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCES, I.E.; GARDENING AT THE Y, ROBOTICS FOR THE YOUNGER CURIOUS LEARNERS, SCIENCE OF THE SOUND SUPPER EXPERIENCES, MATH AND SCIENCE FAMILY NIGHTS, SCIGIRLS CLUBS, TECHBRIDGE, STEM GENTS FOR TEENS CLUB, RUFF RUFFMAN WORKSHOP WITH WETA SUMMER SCIENCE ENRICHMENT, HERO EDUCATION, CRAZY 8S MATH CLUB AND GIRLS WHO CODE CLUB ARE JUST A FEW OF THE PROGRAMS PROMOTING THE STEM.

COMMUNITY SERVICES: YFS:ADULTS AND CHILDREN WERE SERVED BY THE YMCA'S SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH, YMCA YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES (YFS). YFS SERVICES INCLUDE COUNSELING, MENTORING, AND EARLY INTERVENTION FOR SOME OF OUR REGIONS NEEDIEST FAMILIES. ALL SERVICES ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE. GROUP EXERCISE:GROUP EXERCISE EXPERIENCES WERE PROVIDED IN IN-PERSON CLASSES, WHICH SUPPORTED HEALTHY LIVING, BUILDING STRONG INTERNAL COMMUNITIES, AND CREATING LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS. HEALTHY KIDS DAY:YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES PARTICIPATED IN OUR 2023 HEALTHY KIDS DAY, AND WAS SUPPORTED BY MANY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. WE ADDED A COMMUNITY SERVICE COMPONENT TO ALLOW US TO DEEPEN CONNECTIONS, PROVIDE VALUE ADDED SERVICES, AND SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS. COMMUNITY HEALTH:THE Y'S COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT USES PUBLIC HEALTH THEORIES AND BEST PRACTICES TO DELIVER SERVICES IN THREE CORE AREAS: HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS, CLINICAL INTEGRATION, AND POLICIES, SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENT (PSE). OUR HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS ARE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS THAT AIM TO DECREASE INDIVIDUALS' RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASES. WE THEN WORK WITH LOCAL PROVIDERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES TO REFER AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS INTO THESE PROGRAMS. LASTLY, OUR PSE WORK AIMS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTS AND SYSTEMS IN WHICH OUR PARTICIPANTS LIVE, WORK AND PLAY SO THAT THEY CAN MAINTAIN ANY HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS AFTER OUR PROGRAMS.