YMCA

= YMCA =  “We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities”. [|YMCA's Home Page]  YMCA (referred as “**Y** ” for short) facilities are **//one of the largest not-for-profit community service organizations// ** and can be found all over the United States. “YMCA’s serve thousands of U.S. communities, bringing together **21 million** children and adults of all ages, races, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels! YMCA's are committed to helping:
 * Children and youth deepen positive values, their commitment to service and their motivation to learn.
 * Families build stronger bonds, spend time together and become more engaged with their communities.
 * Individuals strengthen their spiritual, mental and physical well-being”.

==   __**Locations:**__ There are **2,686 YMCAs in the United States ** and each one differs according to the needs of their community; and 20 of them can be found in New Jersey. Not only are they popular in our home country but YMCA programs have international links and exchanges are all over the world! To find a **Y** located near you, the website includes a browser to locate your closest YMCA location.

** __Services Provided:__ ** The YMCA is passionate about //“building strong kids, strong families and strong communities”// while encouraging values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The services included at the majority Y"s are:


 * // Adventure Guide: //**<span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);"> This program allows children, along with their parents, to engage in nature activities. The children learn nature lessons, they get to experience camping, and explore the wonderful world of nature.

<span style="color: rgb(52, 10, 245);"> **//Aquatic Programs://** This teaches people how to swim and how to be safe around water. Some <span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">**Y** programs include: infant-parent classes, preschool classes, classes for people with disabilities and classes for teens and adults. There are water exercises and therapies, and pool games available, along with competitive water sports like synchronized swimming and competitive swimming for people 18 and over. YSplash is an aquatics orientation and safety program providing instruction on swimming skills and basic water safety.

<span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"> **//Arts and Humanities://** This program introduces a plethora of arts, not only for children but for adults as well. It includes arts and crafts, drama, music and dance, even weekend pottery and/or book groups. <span style="color: rgb(237, 210, 12);"> **//Childcare://** “There are nearly 10,000 <span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">**Y** child care sites across the country that provide high-quality, affordable care to more than 500,000 children,” **//it is the largest of its kind in the nation//**. The program contains children of all ages, even babies as early as infancy and toddler ages. Many of the children come after school while parents are still at work where the counselors and aids help them on homework, or engage in arts and crafts activities or sports with the kids. The program is set up just like a school with classrooms, play grounds and similar school rules. They also focus on getting the parent involved in the child’s life by having meetings. The YMCA has these five essential characteristics in their childcare program: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 128);"> //**Community Development:**// The **<span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">Y ** reaches out to more then what’s inside their walls. They reach out with open arms to the neighborhoods and the community. The **<span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">Y **'s community development efforts include alternative schools, gang intervention, family literacy programs, tutoring, substance abuse prevention, job training and employment services, permanent and transitional housing, and much more.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Positive and healthy relationships
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A spacious and appropriate environment
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Engaging and diverse activities
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Emphasis on safety and health
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A highly effective administration

//**<span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"> Family Services: **// The **<span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">Y ** also encourages family bonding. The **<span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">Y ** is very open to inviting families to engage in activities together. There are family nights and days that give families a chance to have fun together in a safe, caring, welcoming environment.

<span style="color: rgb(8, 212, 8);"> //**Health and Fitness:**// Along with all the activities, the <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">**Y** also has a gym. For adults there advantages are: strength training, injury rehabilitation, walking, personal fitness, exercise for beginners, yoga, tai chi, healthy back, weight management, and group exercise including aerobics, martial arts exercise, studio cycling and more. Some <span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">**Y** ’s even offer stop-smoking programs and stress management classes. Youth advantages are: preschool movement, youth fitness, teen fitness and kids' gyms.

<span style="color: rgb(217, 8, 217);"> //**Programs for Older Adults:**// This is to reach out to the elder community to show the <span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">**Y** really wants to help and extend to everyone no matter how young or old. Programs for the elders include: health and fitness, swimming classes, trips and programs, social clubs senior centers, volunteer and service-learning.

<span style="color: rgb(165, 136, 136);">//**Sports:**// Many of the coaches of the<span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);"> **Y’** s sport teams are volunteers, and they emphasize teamwork, discipline, respect, cooperation and “developing good values over developing the next superstar”. The sports include: basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, gymnastics, tennis, football, even roller skating and wallyball. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: rgb(248, 114, 27);"> //**Teen Leadership:**// “YMCA programs help teens learn how to express themselves and come together for a common cause and be active and informed citizens”. There is even a Black Achiever Program that helps young African Americans develop high self esteem and self worth while helping them set high education and career goals. It gives teens a chance to see important they are to the future of our society; and with optimistic minds and goals, they can achieve anything. Some activities for the teens include dances, teen night, strength training, tutoring, after-school programs, youth and government, and more.

<span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">media type="youtube" key="teNgQjmA8jM" width="425" height="350"

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**__How YMCA'S are obtainable and their effectiveness:__** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> A family, child or individual and join a YMCA by signing up and paying its monthly membership fee that varies at each YMCA program. About 64 million households and 32 million children ages 14 and under live within three miles of a YMCA. So their locations are usually easily commutable. 1,518 YMCA’s serve communities where the median family income is //**below**// the U.S. average, so families can afford to utilize and join the wonderful organization. They offer tours for those considering membership. They welcome everyone with open arms and will work with anyone to help them in any ways possible.

The YMCA is so large because it is so successful and effective. There are about **// 20,916,698 // //members//** and about ** 548,926 volunteers. **** Its revenue value is an amazing **// **$5.96** **<span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);">B ** **illion**__!__ //** It also has the **nation’s largest provider of child care, and health and well-being programs. Annually <span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">**Y** ’s make //**$1.6 billion in public and private supported funds**//. As mentioned numerously, the <span style="color: rgb(235, 10, 10);">**Y** is one of the largest **//volunteer organizations//** in the world, serving more than 45 million people in 124 countries with endless collaborations with: Charter Schools, Colleges, Elementary/Middle/Secondary/Home Schools, Churches, Government agencies, Hospitals, Juvenile Courts, Libraries, Museums, Parks/Recreations, Theaters, Rehabilitation/Medical Centers and more!

[|YMCA's Home Page] Research done by Cat Badolato