VALPARAISO YMCA

OUR YMCA PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THOSE DESCRIBED BELOW, OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. CHILD CARE: THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA SEEKS TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE, HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE CARE AND EDUCATION FOR A DIVERSE COMMUNITY IN A SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. WE BELIEVE A PARTNERSHIP OF CHILD, PARENT, AND DEDICATED STAFF SUPPORTS CHILDREN IN OUR CARE TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL AND CARING INDIVIDUALS. THE PARTNERSHIP STRIVES TO NOURISH THE CHILDREN'S PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING WELL-ROUNDED, FUN, CREATIVE AND ENRICHING PROGRAMS AND EXPERIENCES. IN 2024, OVER 800 CHILDREN ATTENDED CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND WE SUBSIDIZED A TOTAL OF $141,328. DURING 2024, OUR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS: *UTILIZED A RICH CURRICULUM TO HELP KIDS BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE ACADEMIC AND LIFE SUCCESS AND INSTILLED A LOVE FOR LEARNING IN 125+ PRESCHOOLERS, TODDLERS, AND INFANTS. THIS CURRICULUM IS A KINDERGARTEN READINESS EDUCATION. CURRENTLY 98% OF OUR CHILDREN ENROLLED ARE KINDERGARTEN READY. *EMPHASIZED BUILDING STRONG CHARACTER VALUES AND SOCIAL INTERACTION SKILLS WHILE ENGAGING IN SUMMER FUN FOR SUMMER CAMP PARTICIPANTS. *PROVIDED ACADEMIC, SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL ENRICHMENT TO CHILDREN FROM 11 AREA SCHOOLS, IN BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS. ENGAGED IN FUN, SAFE PLAY IN CHILD WATCH WHILE THEIR PARENTS WERE USING THE YMCA FOR OVER 6,500 CHILDREN IN 2024. *CONTINUED STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH) PROGRAM IN SUMMER CAMP, BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL. THIS LEARNING INITIATIVE SEEKS TO BUILD YOUTH ANALYTICAL AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS THAT PREPARE CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE AND IN STEM CAREERS. *HEPA FACILITY (HEALTH EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) IS PART OF CURRICULUM AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS. HEPA ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES AT THE Y AND AT HOME. CHILDREN ALSO ENGAGE IN 30-60 MINUTES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT THE Y. *INTEGRATE 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS IN CHILDREN THAT HELPS THEM ACT IN POSITIVE WAYS, MAKE BETTER DECISIONS, BOUNCE BACK FROM DIFFICULTIES THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF COPING SKILLS, AND ENGAGE IN RISKY BEHAVIORS LESS. OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS: AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VALPARAISO COMMUNITY, THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA HAS SUPPORTED OUR MISSION TO MORE THAN 6,500 PROGRAM YOUTH PARTICIPANTS THROUGH OFFERING A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS FOR EVERY AGE AND INTEREST IN THE AQUATICS, SPORTS AND YOUTH FITNESS AREAS. DURING 2024, OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS: ENCOURAGED ACTIVE LIVING AND FOSTERED CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND ATHLETIC SKILLS IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN BY TEACHING: *YOUTH SPORTS *FITNESS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY FITNESS TO FAMILY PARTICIPANTS *HELPED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN BY TEACHING SWIMMING AND WATER SKILLS IN 2 POOLS. THE Y IS A LEADING VOICE ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE BRING FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH, AND FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN AND SHARED INTERESTS. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS OUR NATION STRUGGLES WITH AN OBESITY CRISIS; FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH WORK/LIFE BALANCE; AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES, AND INCOME LEVELS. IN 2024, WE PROVIDED $471,094 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FACED ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION. OUR YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR 78 YEARS. ABOUT 19,000 MEMBERS LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE AT THE Y AND 4,899 OLDER ADULTS KEEP WORKING ON THEIR WELLNESS. TO HELP CURB DROWNING DEATHS, WE PROVIDED NEARLY 2,400 SWIM LESSONS. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: OUR YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR 78 YEARS. IN 2024, THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA PROVIDED MEMBERSHIPS TO LOCAL GROUP HOMES AND HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES. THIS ALLOWED THOSE CLIENTS, WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FULL FEES, THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA COLLABORATES WITH OPPORTUNITY ENTERPRISES, BOY AND GIRL SCOUTS, ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION, AMERICAN RED CROSS, LOCAL ROTARY AND KIWANIS CLUBS, AS WELL AS THE PORTER COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL SYSTEMS, VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY, IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, POWERS HEALTH, THE CITY OF VALPARAISO, THE FOOD BANK AND MANY OTHERS, TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICES TO THE PORTER COUNTY COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA IS INVOLVED IN THE FOLLOWING: *VOLUNTEERS: VOLUNTEER PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE AT OUR YMCA TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS. WE ENJOYED WORKING WITH OVER 2,400 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING OVER 10,700 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN 2024. *CERTIFIED 475 STUDENTS AND ADULTS IN CPR AND FIRST AID AND LIFEGUARDING. *CONDUCTED LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA PROGRAM SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF CANCER. THIS PROGRAM HELPS CANCER SURVIVORS IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIFE AND ACHIEVE THEIR HOLISTIC HEALTH GOALS. *PARTNERED WITH A NON-PROFIT HOSPITAL TO DELIVER SERVICES THAT ENHANCE MEMBER'S HEALTH AND WELLNESS ALL GEARED TOWARDS CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION. PRIMARY AREAS OF PARTNERSHIP: COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS RECEIVED FREE SCREENINGS FOR VARIOUS AREAS OF WHICH SEVERAL SCREENINGS RESULTED IN CRITICAL FINDINGS THAT WERE LIFE-SAVING; SEMINARS ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOPICS ALL DELIVERED BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS; HEALTH FAIR; NUTRITION CONSULTATION; AND PHYSICIAN CONSULTATIONS. *OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDED: SENIOR RESOURCE DAY, HOLIDAY MARKET, SENIOR OUTINGS, SUPPER WITH SANTA, LENTEN LUNCH, HEALTHY FAMILY DAY. *PARTNERED WITH FOODBANK OF NORTHWEST INDIANA AND PROVIDED FOOD FOR 2,678 INDIVIDUALS. *SUPPORTED 100 CHILDREN WITH HOLIDAY GIFTS, HELPING FAMILIES WITH FOOD AND GIFTS AT THE HOLIDAYS. *HOST EVENTS THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILY CONNECTIONS, SUCH AS SUPPER WITH SANTA (FEEDING 150 PEOPLE). *PROVIDED $15,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS TO SUPPORT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. *HELPED CANCER SURVIVORS AND THOSE LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE OR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE TO MANAGE SYMPTOMS, FIND SUPPORT AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE. CHILDREN RETURNING TO SCHOOL WERE SUPPORTED BY CCC (CHILDREN COMMUNITY CONNECTION) BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE. CCC IS A Y LED COLLABORATION OF LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO MORE EFFICIENTLY DELIVER SUPPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY'S CHILDREN. RESOURCES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO FAMILIES THROUGH THE CCC NON-PROFIT PARTNERS. THE Y FAITH COMMITTEE HOSTED A LENTEN LUNCH FOR 85 INDIVIDUALS WHO CAME TOGETHER TO ENJOY A SIMPLE LENTEN MEAL, ALONG WITH AN INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE. ADDITIONALLY, THE COMMITTEE MEETS MONTHLY TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL WELLNESS AND TO CONNECT WITH INDIVIDUALS IN NEED. THE Y CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH OTHER NON-PROFIT GROUPS IN OUR COMMUNITY. GIRLS ON THE RUN MEET UP AT THE Y FOR PRACTICES; OPPORTUNITY ENTERPRISES PREPARES ITS ATHLETES FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS AT THE Y; AND MANY MORE. THE Y CONTINUES TO SERVE AS A WARMING AND COOLING SHELTER.