Young Mens Christian Association Of Metropolitan Los Angeles

THE YMCA OF METROPOLITAN LOS ANGELES' MISSION IS TO PUT JUDEO-CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL.

PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: COMMITTED TO CULTIVATING THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUNGEST MEMBERS, THE LA Y OFFERS QUALITY PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT AND NURTURE THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY INFANT, CHILD AND TEEN AND ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. THE LA Y CONTINUES TO ADAPT ITS PROGRAMS TO BEST PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO BUILD STRONG CHILDREN, STRONG FAMILIES AND STRONG COMMUNITIES. IN A SAFE AND STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT, CHILDREN LEARN SKILLS AND DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIOR, BUILD ON EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS THAT WILL CARRY THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. DURING THE PANDEMIC, DISTANCE LEARNING BROUGHT TO LIGHT A NUMBER OF EQUITY CHALLENGES FACING MANY LOS ANGELES COUNTY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. TO HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND RESPOND TO THE NEARLY 40,000 YOUNG PEOPLE NOT ATTENDING CLASSES BEING HELD VIRTUALLY IN LA, THE YMCA RESPONDED BY PROVIDING HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS AT ALL OF OUR 26 BRANCHES TO ENSURE THAT ALL COMMUNITIES HAD EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET. IN ADDITION, THE Y RESPONDED TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AND INSTITUTED LOCAL DISTANCED LEARNING PODS IN ITS BRANCHES TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TUTORING FOR STUDENTS. THE YMCA IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT EVERY CHILD IN LOS ANGELES HAS THE RIGHT TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO GET THE EDUCATION THEY NEED. THIS YEAR, THE LA Y: * SERVED MORE THAN 47,000 YOUTH THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. * PROVIDED OVER 150,000 HOURS OF FREE CHILDCARE PROVIDED TO FRONT-LINE WORKERS AND FAMILIES WHO RETURNED TO WORK. * SERVED OVER 10,000 CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN A BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL, PRESCHOOL, DAY CAMP AND/OR LEARNING POD PROGRAMS. THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, THE Y LAUNCHED LEARNING PODS AT 14 BRANCHES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO NEEDED A SAFE SPACE TO ATTEND SCHOOL VIRTUALLY, WITH FREE ACCESS TO WI-FI, TECHNOLOGY, ENRICHMENT AND FITNESS PROGRAM, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL & WELLNESS ACTIVITIES AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. * PARTNERED WITH VARIOUS LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE DISTANCE LEARNING SUPPORT, SUMMER PROGRAMMING, AND/OR ACCESS TO CHILDCARE FOR STUDENTS AND CHILDREN OF THEIR FACULTY. * OFFERED 7 PRESCHOOL SITES IN A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT, TAUGHT BY ACCREDITED FACULTY AND WITH CURRICULUM ALIGNED WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA'S EDUCATION STANDARDS.

PROGRAMS FOR HEALTHY LIVING: BY EMPOWERING ALL PEOPLE TO LEAD FULLER LIVES, THE LA Y OFFERS THE RESOURCES, SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. THE LA Y ALSO ENCOURAGES AND FOSTERS CONNECTIONS AND COMMUNITY THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS AND SHARED INTERESTS. THE LA Y OFFERS AN ARRAY OF PROGRAMS THAT AIMS TO CREATE AND SUSTAIN A HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY FOR ALL. AS GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS IMPACTING THE Y'S INDOOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS OPERATIONS STARTED TO EASE IN 2021, THE LA Y CONTINUED TO ENSURE AND PRIORITIZE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT INDOORS FOR OUR MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS TO FOCUS ON THEIR HEALTH AND WELLBEING AND FIND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AGAIN. THE LA Y ALSO CONTINUED TO PROVIDE VIRTUAL RESOURCES AND OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONS TO KEEP ALL ITS MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED. DURING SUCH CHALLENGING TIMES, IT HIGHLIGHTED HOW THE Y WAS NOT ONLY A GREAT GYM, BUT AN EVEN GREATER CAUSE, WHERE MEMBERS WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF SUPPORTING THE LA Y IN STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY. THIS YEAR, THE LA Y: * CONNECTED OVER 500,000 MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS TO COMMUNITY AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGH ITS 26 BRANCHES. * SUPPORTED 21,000 SENIORS IN STAYING HEALTHY AND KEEPING CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY. * OFFERED MORE THAN 11,000 WATER SAFETY AND SWIM LESSONS IN 35 Y COMMUNITY POOLS, THE LARGEST SINGLE SOURCE OF SWIM INSTRUCTION IN GREATER LOS ANGELES. * SERVED APPROXIMATELY 7,000 YOUTH THROUGH SPORTS PROGRAMS WHICH WERE OPERATED IN OUTDOOR SPACES WITH MASKING AND DISTANCING PROTOCOLS IN PLACE. * IMPLEMENTED THE EQUITY, GIRLS, AND SPORTS INITIATIVE TO INCREASE ACCESS AND ENGAGEMENT OF MORE GIRLS AGES 4-18 YEARS IN CHARACTER-BUILDING YOUTH SPORTS AND ATHLETIC EXPERIENCES FOR 1,850 GIRLS AND NON-BINARY PARTICIPANTS THROUGH 4 PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND LAUNCHING 2 NEW FEMALE FORWARD SPORTS OF GOLF AND TENNIS. THIS INITIATIVE WAS BACKED BY COMMUNITY PARTNERS SUCH AS THE LA KINGS, CLIPPERS, DODGERS, THE LA84 FOUNDATION AND OTHERS. * LAUNCHED A SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING INITIATIVE IMPLEMENTING AN INNOVATIVE TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS OUR ORGANIZATION TO HELP OUR STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS HEAL FROM THE EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVASTATION WROUGHT BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE HISTORIC SOCIAL RECKONINGS OF THE PAST FEW YEARS.

PROGRAMS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: THE LA Y OFFERS EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS THAT DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE AND CHARACTER, WHILE PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO ITS MEMBERS TO HELP THEM REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. THE LA Y IS A LEADER IN CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND RESPONDING TO ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES. THE Y BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OUR NEIGHBORS BY DEVELOPING VOLUNTEER LEADERS THROUGH FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATING WITH POLICYMAKERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES. SINCE THE PANDEMIC AND ITS CONTINUED IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITIES IN 2021, THE LA Y HAS RECOGNIZED THE UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES FACING THE COMMUNITY AND ADAPTED ITS OPERATIONAL MODEL TO ADDRESS THE EMERGENCY NEEDS OF LOS ANGELES FAMILIES. TO TACKLE THE URGENT PRIORITIES CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC, THE Y EXECUTED PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE NECESSARY MEALS AND FOOD TO THOSE FACING FOOD INSECURITY, HELP NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WITH ACCESS TO HYGIENE AND RESTROOMS, AND HOST LIFE-SAVING BLOOD DRIVES THAT HEALTH CENTERS AND PATIENTS DESPERATELY NEEDED. THE YMCA HAS ALSO BEEN COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING SOCIAL ISSUES EXPOSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SUCH AS THE DEEP SOCIAL AND HEALTH INEQUITIES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES. IN 2021, THE LA Y CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT ITS EQUITY AND INCLUSION FRAMEWORK TO ENABLE THE LA Y TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF SOCIAL CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY. THE LA Y HELD MULTIPLE STAFF TRAININGS, ROUNDTABLE AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS TO SUPPORT THE Y'S INTENTION TO BECOME AN ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZATION. THE Y CONTINUED ITS DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH AND CONDUCTED INTERNAL SURVEYS TO UNDERSTAND OPPORTUNITIES TO BETTER SUPPORT Y STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY AT-LARGE. RECOGNIZING THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO BE DONE, THE LA Y IS CONTINUALLY EXPANDING AND ENHANCING ITS COMMUNITY-ORIENTED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES SO THAT SO THAT TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, SAFER AND MORE JUST TOMORROW FOR ALL. THIS YEAR, THE LA Y: * CONTINUED ESTABLISHING ITS 26 LOCAL YMCA BRANCHES AS COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT HUBS CONDUCTING IN-LANGUAGE OUTREACH AND PROVIDING SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE FOR COVID-19, BASIC NEEDS, ESSENTIAL ITEMS, WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS, CHILDCARE, ELIGIBILITY AND INFORMATION FOR TAX, RENT RELIEF, AND CHILD TAX CREDIT, AND MORE. * PROVIDED DIFFERENT AVENUES TO GET FOOD TO THE HOMEBOUND AND THE FOOD INSECURE FROM GRAB & GO MEALS TO PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION AND GROCERY DELIVERIES. THE LA Y DISTRIBUTED OVER 1 MILLION MEALS AND 4.8 MILLION POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE TO ITS NEIGHBORS FACING FOOD INSECURITY. * RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT GRANT FUNDING FROM THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FOR FAMILIES DEPARTMENT (CIFD) TO SUSTAIN THE FEEDLA PROGRAM AND SUPPORT LEARNING LOSS RECOVERY FOR 40,000 LOW-INCOME ANGELENOS. * LEVERAGED NINE OF THE YMCA'S FACILITIES TO PROVIDE NEARLY 35,000 SHOWERS FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE PROGRAM WAS OFFERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES AND LA SANITATION AND ENVIRONMENT AND OFFERED SAFE HYGIENE FACILITIES, SHOWERS AND RESTROOMS FOR UNSHELTERED ANGELENOS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS. * SAVED OVER 9,000 LIVES BY HOSTING AND SUPPORTING BLOOD DRIVES. THE LA Y JOINED FORCES WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS TO SOLVE THE CITY'S SEVERE BLOOD SHORTAGE DUE TO BLOOD DRIVES THAT WERE CANCELLED AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC. THE LA Y PROVIDED ITS FACILITIES FOR THE RED CROSS TO HOST OVER 135 BLOOD DRIVES IN A SECURE AND CLEAN ENVIRONMENT. THE TWO OLDEST NON-PROFITS IN THE COUNTRY WERE UNITED IN THIS TIME OF CRISIS TO SOLVE THE ONGOING BLOOD SUPPLY SHORTAGE, ENSURING THIS CRITICAL MEDICAL NEED WAS MET FOR THE COMMUNITY. * LED COUNTY-WIDE PUBLIC HEALTH OUTREACH AND EVENTS AT THE Y'S BRANCH FACILITIES TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY SAFE AND EASY ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTH SERVICES SUCH AS COVID-19 TESTING AND VACCINATIONS, IN ADDITION TO EDUCATION AND AWARENESS, ALL TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY HEALTHY AND SAFE. * ENGAGED TEENS IN ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES THAT INCLUDED THE RETURN OF 700 HIGH SCHOOLERS TO THE STATEWIDE INVOLVEMENT OF MODEL LEGISLATURE AND COURT AND 270 TEENS IN A GIVE SUMMER PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDED SAFE OUTDOOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS AN ONLINE FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM. THE YMCA ALSO PARTNERED WITH IBM THROUGH THEIR CALL FOR CODE RACIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE ENGAGING TEENS IN EMPOWERING AND EDUCATING THEIR COMMUNITIES WITH ESSENTIAL RESOURCES RELATED TO VOTING. FURTHERMORE, A GROUP OF TEENS PARTICIPATED IN THE SUPPORT OF OUR NEIGHBORING BORDER TOWN IN MEXICO IN FUNDRAISING AND WORK AT THEIR BRANCH THROUGH OUR CHANGE AGENTS PROGRAM. * OFFERED SAFE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING SO TEENS AND FAMILIES COULD STILL EXPERIENCE THE WONDERS OF CAMP AND THE WILDERNESS. THROUGH THE Y'S BOLD GOLD TEEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, NEARLY 200 TEENS BACKPACKED IN THE BEAUTIFUL BACK COUNTRY FOR A WEEK AT A TIME. IN ADDITION, SERVED NEARLY 400 PEOPLE WITH A MODIFIED SLEEPAWAY CAMP EXPERIENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES. * INVOLVED OVER 10,000 VOLUNTEERS IN GOVERNANCE AND PROGRAM AND SERVICES DEVELOPMENT WHERE THEIR DETERMINATION AND GENEROSITY DELIVERED VITAL SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIVES IN THE COMMUNITY. * SECURED DONATIONS FROM MORE THAN 5,400 DONORS WHICH SUSTAINED THE LA Y'S EFFORTS IN BEING RESILIENT TO TAKE SWIFT AND CREATIVE ACTION TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SERVICES TO OUR NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITIES.