YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NORTHWESTERN DUPAGE COUNTY

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: THE B.R. RYALL YMCA IS COMMITTED TO NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN. WE BELIEVE ALL KIDS HAVE GREAT POTENTIAL AND DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. THAT'S WHY WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CULTIVATE VALUES, SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. OUR BRIGHT BEGINNINGS PRESCHOOL PROVIDES A SAFE AND ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT FOR TODDLERS THROUGH PRESCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN (AGES 2-5). ONCE PARTICIPANTS ENTER SCHOOL, WE PROVIDE BEFORE- AND AFTER-SCHOOL CARE AT OUR Y, AS WELL AS AT SIX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITES IN COOPERATION WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS. IN THESE PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS IN OUR SUMMER CAMPS, WE OFFER EXPERIENCES FOR LEARNING, SOCIAL GROWTH AND RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIORS IN SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENTS. OUR SWIMMING AND SPORTS PROGRAMS, FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO CULTIVATE WELLNESS, FUN, HEALTHY COMPETITION, FAIR PLAY AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. THIS YEAR, WE NURTURED MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN IN OUR CARE. FOR THOSE UNABLE TO AFFORD PARTICIPATION, WE PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 39 INDIVIDUALS WITH OVER 48,400 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. WE PROVIDED ANOTHER 7,300 MONTHLY TO KIDS AND FAMILIES IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR MEMBERSHIPS SO THAT THEIR Y COULD ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE TO THEM AS A HUB FOR UNSTRUCTURED FAMILY TIME.

HEALTHY LIVING: THE Y IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING. WE BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH AND FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH WELLNESS, SPORTS, FUN AND SHARED INTERESTS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT AS OUR NATION STRUGGLES WITH CHRONIC DISEASE AND OBESITY, FAMILIES ARE CHALLENGED BY WORK/LIFE BALANCE AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. ALSO, WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON THE WELLNESS, FUN AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WE OFFER OUR ACTIVE OLDER ADULT POPULATION. AS MEMBERS JOIN, WE PROVIDE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A FREE FITNESS CONSULTATION AND ORIENTATION, SO THEY CAN MAXIMIZE THEIR TIME AT THE Y. OUR OFFERINGS ARE PLENTIFUL AND VARIED TO FIT OUR MEMBERS' INDIVIDUAL ABILITIES AND PREFERENCES, RANGING FROM UNSTRUCTURED FAMILY FITNESS TIME TO FAMILY CLASSES TO GROUP EXERCISE AND SPECIALTY CLASSES, WATER FITNESS CLASSES AND PERSONAL TRAINING. THIS PERIOD, WHILE THE Y WAS FULLY OPEN, WE ESTIMATE THAT AS MANY AS 3,000 INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGE GROUPS ACCESSED OUR HEALTHY LIVING RESOURCES. WE ADDRESS CHRONIC DISEASE ISSUES. OUR PARKINSON'S PROGRAM PROVIDES CRITICAL PROGRAMMIMG FOR 60 PARTICIPANTS EACH WEEK. WE PROVIDE THE PROGRAM FREE FOR THOSE INFLICTED WITH THE DISEASE AT A SUBSDIY TO THE YMCA IN EXCESS OF 43,000. WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO TARGET HEALTH CONCERNS AS PART OF OUR EVIDENCE- BASED PROGRAMMING.