MATTOON AREA FAMILY YMCA CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - THE MATTOON AREA FAMILY YMCA PROVIDES A RANGE OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY BUILDING VALUES, SKILLS, AND POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE YOUTH SPORTS, HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMMING, YOUTH FREE WEIGHT TRAINING, SUMMER CAMP, BEFORE- AND AFTER-SCHOOL CARE, AND SWIM LESSONS. DURING THE PAST YEAR, 2,304 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN THESE PROGRAMS. TO ENSURE ACCESS FOR ALL, THE YMCA PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIES TO REMOVE ECONOMIC BARRIERS, ENABLING APPROXIMATELY 40% OF PARTICIPATING YOUTH TO ENGAGE IN PROGRAMS REGARDLESS OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME. KEY YOUTH PROGRAMS INCLUDE YOUTH SPORTS, WHICH SERVED 1,317 PARTICIPANTS AND EMPHASIZED TEAMWORK, LEADERSHIP, AND SPORTSMANSHIP. THE YOUTH FREE WEIGHT TRAINING PROGRAM SUPPORTS HEALTHY HABITS AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT BY PROVIDING A SAFE, SUPERVISED ENVIRONMENT FOR EXERCISE. SWIM LESSONS FOCUS ON WATER SAFETY AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT, EQUIPPING YOUTH WITH ESSENTIAL LIFE-SAVING SKILLS AND PROMOTING CONFIDENCE AROUND WATER.

HEALTHY LIVING - THE MATTOON AREA FAMILY YMCA PROMOTES HEALTH AND WELL- BEING BY PROVIDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT SUPPORT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, DISEASE PREVENTION, AND SOCIAL CONNECTION FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE AND ARE OPEN TO ALL, REGARDLESS OF FAITH, BACKGROUND, ABILITY, OR INCOME. DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE YMCA PROVIDED 279,824 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP REMOVE ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION. THE FACILITY RECORDED 180,929 VISITS, WITH MEMBERS AND PARTICIPANTS ENGAGING IN A WIDE RANGE OF WELLNESS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES, AQUATIC PROGRAMS, ACTIVE OLDER ADULT PROGRAMMING, AND YOUTH AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES. PROGRAMS SERVE INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN, FROM INFANTS TO OLDER ADULTS. THE YMCA DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM SUPPORTS ADULTS AT HIGH RISK OF DEVELOPING TYPE 2 DIABETES AND HAS DEMONSTRATED OUTCOMES CONSISTENT WITH NATIONAL RESEARCH, REDUCING RISK BY UP TO 58%, OR 71% FOR PARTICIPANTS OVER AGE 60, AS REPORTED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH. ADDITIONAL HEALTH-FOCUSED PROGRAMS INCLUDE BLOOD PRESSURE SELF-MONITORING AND HEALTHY HEARTS, WHICH PROMOTE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AND LONG-TERM WELLNESS.