Family Y Young Mens Christian Assoc-Ywca Of The Csra Inc

THE FAMILY Y STRENGTHENS THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT- AFTERSCHOOL CHILDCARE & SUMMER CAMP: PARENTS DESIRE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH CHILDREN CAN LEARN PRACTICAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS AND DEVELOP POSITIVE VALUES. KIDS WANT TO EXERT ENERGY, DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE, AND BE ACCEPTED AMONG EACH OTHER. THE Y MEETS BOTH OF THESE DESIRES BY PROVIDING FUN, ACTIVE AND INTENTIONAL PROGRAMS WHICH CULTIVATE THE VALUES, SKILLS, AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH, AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. THE CENTRAL FOCUS OF ALL YMCA YOUTH PROGRAMS IS TO FOSTER GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN AND IN THEIR PARENTS AND FAMILIES. THE Y'S EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS HELP PARENTS PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN FOR THE FUTURE BY PROVIDING THEM A VALUES-BASED, HIGH QUALITY FOUNDATION FOR POSITIVE GROWTH. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS GIVE CHILDREN A CHANCE TO BECOME MORE SELF-RELIANT, DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS, GAIN AUTONOMY, AND ENHANCE AND ENRICH THEIR CIVIC AND ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP SKILLS. PARENTS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN POLICY AND PROGRAM DECISIONS. IN MANY INSTANCES, YMCA CHILDCARE AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS ALLOW PARENTS TO REMAIN GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, KNOWING THEIR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING IN SECURE, SUPPORTIVE, SUPERVISED ENVIRONMENTS. FOR PARENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE FULL FEE, CARE IS PROVIDED ON A SLIDING FEE SCALE, BASED ON NEED. CAMPING PROGRAMS PROVIDE AN EXCITING, SAFE COMMUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS, BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, DEVELOP INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, AND MAKE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS AND MEMORIES. THROUGH A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES AND WITH A FOCUS ON THE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS, YMCA CAMPING PROMOTES SPIRITUAL AWARENESS, MENTAL, DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL GROWTH, AND A RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. YMCA CAMP PROGRAMS HELP WORKING PARENTS, PROVIDE THEIR CHILDREN WITH SAFE PLACES TO GO DURING THE SUMMERTIME. FEES ARE OFFERED ON A BELOW COST BASIS TO PARENTS UNABLE TO AFFORD FULL CAMP COSTS. MOST CAMP COUNSELORS ARE FORMER CAMPERS WHO OFTEN DECLINE ALTERNATIVE HIGHER-PAYING JOBS TO IMPACT A CHILD'S LIFE AND BECOME ROLE MODELS FOR YOUNGER CAMPERS. FOR MANY, IT IS THE TEEN'S FIRST JOB. MANY CAMPERS REMEMBER THEIR SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS, FRIENDS, AND THE LIFE LESSONS THEY EXPERIENCED AT CAMP FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

HEALTHY LIVING: THE Y IS A COMMUNITY WITH AN EVERYDAY MISSION TO HELP INDIVIDUALS ACHIEVE A BALANCE OF SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY AND ENSURE EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, GROW AND CONNECT. WE HELP PEOPLE DEVELOP THE SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS THEY NEED TO BE HEALTHY, CONFIDENT, AND CONNECTED TO OTHERS. ADULTS WANT TO LEARN MORE, DO MORE, AND LIVE MORE HEALTHILY. THROUGH COLLABORATIONS WITH NONPROFITS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, AND OTHERS, THE Y FOSTERS HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AMONG PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER TO PURSUE PASSIONS OLD AND NEW, AND PROVIDES MUTUAL SUPPORT FOR EVERYONE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. THE Y ENCOURAGES GOOD HEALTH AND FOSTERS CONNECTIONS THROUGH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE PROPER NUTRITION, CHRONIC DISEASE AND STRESS MANAGEMENT, HEALTH EDUCATION, SPORTS, SWIM PROGRAMS, AND SHARED INTERESTS. OLDER ADULTS COME TO THE Y TO REMAIN ACTIVE, TO REHABILITATE AFTER ILLNESS, INJURY OR SURGERY, AND TO FIND QUALITY TIME FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION.

DURING THE ONGOING PANDEMIC THE YMCA PROVIDED WEEKEND MEALS, AND BLESSING BAGS. DURING THE YEAR OF 2020, THE YMCA RECIEVED FOOD FROM WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN, FARM TO FAMILIES BOXES, AND GEORGIA GROWN PRODUCE BOXES AND SERVED OVER 1 MILLION MEALS TO FAMILES ACCROSS GA AND SC AND 9 COUNTIES. A PLACE TO DREAM, SINCE NOVEMBER OF HAS DELIVERED OVER 1000 BEDS TO CHILDREN IN AIKEN, BARNWELL, RICHMOND, MCDUFFIE, JEFFERSON, BURKE AND COLUMBIA COUNTIES. KATHRYN M. YORK AQUATICS CENTER AT THE WILSON BRANCH HOSTS ONE-ON-ONE AND GROUP THERAPEUTIC AQUATICS PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES AND TYPES OF DISABILITIES. KNOWN AS KATIE'S POOL, IT IS THE LARGEST, PUBLIC AQUATICS THERAPY POOL IN THE SOUTHEAST. MIRACLE LEAGUE BASEBALL FIELD IS A SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED, BARRIER FREE BASEBALL FIELD THAT WAS BUILT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHARLIE NORWOOD VA MEDICAL CENTER. THE FIELD HOSTS TWO SEASONS PER YEAR OF ADAPTED BASEBALL FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. EACH PARTICIPANT IS ASSIGNED AN ABLE-BODIED BUDDY THAT ASSISTS DURING PLAY. OUR PROGRAM IS THE ONLY YMCA/MIRACLE LEAGUE PARTNERSHIP IN THE US. TOTAL ACCESS WELLNESS CENTER IS LOCATED AT THE WILSON BRANCH. THIS CENTER PROVIDES ACCESSIBLE LAND-WELLNESS PROGRAMS IN TANDEM WITH OUR AQUATICS WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND FEATURES ADJUSTABLE EQUIPMENT FOR THOSE CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR.

SAW-(SAFETY AROUND WATER)- IS A FREE ONE-WEEK WATER SAFETY CLASS FOR ALL RICHMOND COUNTY SECOND GRADERS. MORE THAN 5000 KIDS HAVE LEARNED BASIC LIFESAVING SKILLS FROM THIS PROGRAM. SAW IS ALSO OFFERED FREE TO THE PUBLIC THE SECOND WEEK IN MAY. LIVESTRONG A FREE 12 WEEK WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR CANCER SURVIVORS AT ANY STAGE OF THEIR DIAGNOSIS OR RECOVERY. FREE TO ALL CANCER SURVIVORS AND PROVIDES A FREE 3 MONTH MEMBERSHIP.