Young Mens Christian Association Of Douglas County

THE MISSION OF THE YMCA IS TO BUILD STRONG KIDS, STRONG FAMILIES, AND STRONG COMMUNITIES. WITH A FOCUS ON NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN, IMPROVING OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE BACK AND SUPPORT NEIGHBORS, THE YMCA ENABLES YOUTH, ADULTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO BE HEALTHY, CONFIDENT, CONNECTED AND SECURE. MEMBERS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS OF THE YMCA INCLUDE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. THE Y IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL PEOPLE AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS OFFERED TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO CANNOT AFFORD MEMBERSHIP AND PROGRAM FEES. THE Y IS GUIDED BY FOUR CORE VALUES: CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY.

WE HOST OUR ANNUAL YMCA WATER SAFETY DAY AT THE YMCA CAMPUS, GIVING AWAY 250 LIFE JACKETS, FREE SWIM LESSON GIFT CERTIFICATES, AND INFORMATION TO PARENTS ABOUT KEEPING THEIR CHILDREN SAFE IN, ON AND AROUND THE WATER. WE OFFER FREE DARKNESS TO LIGHT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION TRAINING TO OUR STAFF. WE ARE MANDATORY REPORTERS AND WANT OUR EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS TO BE PREPARED TO ASSIST WHEN THE NEED ARISES. AS A LEADER IN THE RESPECT THE WATER CAMPAIGN, IN MAY WE INSTALL FIVE WATER SAFETY STATIONS ALONG THE RIVERS FOR THE SUMMER AT POPULAR SITES IN THE ROSEBURG AREA IN SUPPORT OF INTERNATIONAL WATER SAFETY. WE MAINTAIN THEM THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS TO ASSURE LIFE PRESERVERS AND ROPES ARE INTACT FOR USE. WE WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE INSTALLATION OF A TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE COLD NORTH UMPQUA RIVER THAT PROVIDES LIVE TEMPERATURE READINGS THAT ARE POSTED ON THE YMCA AND LOCAL MEDIA WEBSITES AND IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER. WE ALSO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO BE A MEMBER AND PARTICIPATE IN YMCA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. OUR LICENSED CHILDCARE OPERATED UNDER EMERGENCY CHILDCARE REGULATIONS, ASSURING CHILDCARE WAS AVAILABLE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS DURING THE 2021 PHASE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. ALL OF OUR CHILD CARE STAFF ARE DARKNESS TO LIGHT TRAINED IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS. WITH CHILDCARE GRANTS SECURED FROM THE STATE WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES.

DURING 2021, OVER 1600 YOUTH TOOK PART IN OUR YOUTH SPORTS, SWIM TEAM, AND HOME SCHOOL PE PROGRAMS. OUR HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE AND SUMMER DAY CAMP PROVIDES A SAFE, ENRICHING EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR OVER 50 YOUTH AND GAVE NEEDED SUPPORT FOR WORKING FAMILIES. FOR EXAMPLE, WE PARTNER WITH SMART READING AND THE UMPQUA READING COUNCIL TO ENCOURAGE YOUTH TO READ FOR A MINIMUM OF 30 MINUTES PER DAY IN ORDER TO COMBAT SUMMER READING LOSS, AND AN INNOVATIVE TEEN MUSIC LAB PROVIDED FREE MUSIC LESSONS AND GROUP PLAYING EXPERIENCE TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH. WITH CHILDCARE GRANTS SECURED FROM THE STATE, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UMPQUA HEALTH ALLIANCE IN 2021, WE PROVIDED 100 FAMILIES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY WITH FREE MEMBERSHIPS FOR 2 MONTHS THROUGH THE FAMILY WELLNESS PROJECT. FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, WE OFFERED ZUMBA IN THE PARK ONE DAY A WEEK DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET OUT OF THEIR HOMES AND BACK INTO LIFE AND MOVING. OUR Y ALSO HOSTED A VETERANS DAY 5K IN HONOR OF OUR COMMUNITY'S SERVICE MEMBERS AND TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER. WHILE OBSERVING PROTOCOLS RELATED TO KEEPING OUR MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS FREE OF COVID-19, WE CONTINUED TO OFFER MANY CLASSES TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO STAY CONNECTED AND HEALTHY. WHEN POSSIBLE, CLASSES WERE MOVED OUTSIDE, INCLUDING STATIONARY CYCLING, YOGA, AND AEROBICS CLASSES, SUCH AS ZUMBA.