Young Mens Christian Association-Columbia

THE YMCA OF COLUMBIA'S MISSION IS TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE THE PROMOTION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S FIVE CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, AND FAITH AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF ALL PROGRAMMING. THE YMCA OF COLUMBIA IS A FELLOWSHIP OF PEOPLE, BOTH MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS, WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS THROUGH PROGRAMS WE OFFER EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ALL WHO DESIRE TO JOIN US IN ACHIEVEMENT OF THIS PURPOSE WITHOUT REGARD TO AGE, GENDER, INCOME, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY, RACE, CREED, OR RELIGION. THE METROPOLITAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE YMCA OF COLUMBIA CONSISTS OF 13 INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING LOCAL BUSINESS, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, AND A VARIETY OF PROFESSIONS COLLECTIVELY, THEY SUPPORT THE YMCA'S GOALS TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS THROUGH PROGRAMS

HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN & YOUTH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY, DEMOGRAPHERS PROJECT THAT CHILDREN WILL LIVE SHORTER LIVES THAN THEIR PARENTS AND FACE A DECLINING STANDARD OF LIVING EVERY DAY. THE YMCA HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE DEEPEN POSITIVE VALUES, THEIR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND THEIR MOTIVATION TO LEARN. YMCA PROGRAMS OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCE THAT ENRICH A CHILD'S COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH EXPENSES INCLUDE SUBSIDIES AND DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT ENABLE MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE.

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL AT A TIME WHEN 17 PERCENT OF CHILDREN AND NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF ADULTS ARE CLASSIFIED AS OBESE, THE YMCA PROVIDES PEOPLE WITH THE SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND ENVIRONMENTS THEY NEED FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL PURSUIT OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES AND INCOME LEVELS IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

FAMILY STRENGTHENING PARENTS NOW SPEND AN AVERAGE OF 10-12 HOURS LESS PER WEEK WITH THEIR CHILDREN THAN THEY DID IN 1960. THE YMCA IS COMMITTED TO HELPING FAMILIES BUILD STRONGER BONDS BY BRINGING THEM TOGETHER IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT HELP FORM STABLE RELATIONSHIPS, ENHANCE COMMUNICATION AND PROMOTE HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES. OUR YMCA HELPS FAMILIES BUILD STRONGER BONDS, ACHIEVE GREATER WORK/LIFE BALANCE AND BECOME MORE ENGAGED WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES.