THE YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY

Other Program Services: SPORTS, AQUATICS & OTHER PROGRAMS: AQUATICS - PART OF THE Y'S OVERALL GOALOF BUILDING HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING SPECIFIC SWIMMING AND WATER SAFETY SKILLS, THEY PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH THROUGH REGULAR EXERCISE. THEY ALSO PROMOTE TEAMWORK, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND LEADERSHIP. THESE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT FEES AFFORDABLE TO THE COMMUNITY, WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD THE FULL FEE. HEALTH AND WELLNESS - THE Y HAS A NETWORK OF PROGRAMS THAT FULFILL THE Y'S MISSION OF SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES ARE DESIGNED TO IMPACT WELLNESS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE Y OFFERS A LIFELONG PROGRESSION OF MEDICALLY BASED HEALTH AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES, EXPERIENCES AND EDUCATION, INCLUDING PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, FAMILIES AND SENIORS. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THOSE WITH CHRONIC AILMENTS FIND YMCA PROGRAMS THAT ARE TAILORED TO THEM. YMCA PROGRAMS/FACILITIES ARE DESIGNED TO ATTRACT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ALL ABILITIES AND ALL INCOMES. THE Y OFFERS A WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE, WHERE NEW EXERCISERS CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE AND RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH, MOST PEOPLE CAN AFFORD LOW-COST YMCA HEALTH FITNESS PROGRAMS/FACILITIES. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HELPS LOW-INCOME PEOPLE, WHO ARE LESS LIKELY TO EXERCISE AND TO HAVE ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE, GAIN ACCESS TO THE YMCA. SPORTS AND RECREATION - THESE PROGRAMS PROMOTE AN APPRECIATION OFONE'S OWN WORTH. YOUTH SPORTS FOCUS ON THE FULL AND EQUAL PARTICIPATION OF ALL: EVERY CHILD PLAYS. Y SPORTS PROGRAMS ALSO HELP TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES.PARENTS COACH AND WATCH THEIR KIDS PLAY. YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS BUILD LIFELONG POSITIVE ATTITUDES. HABITS OF HEALTH EXERCISE ARE GOOD NUTRITION AND LEARN WAYS TO HAVE FUN AS ADULTS. VALUES ALSO APPLY TO ADULT SPORTS AT The Y - NO PUTDOWNS, NO PROFANITY, RESPECT FOR OTHERS, GIVING EVERYONE A CHANCE TO PLAY. BOTH ADULT AND YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS VALUE COOPERATION OVER COMPETITION, FAIR PLAY OVER WINNING AT ANY COST, GOOD FEELING AND GOOD HEALTH OVER A GOOD SCORE, AND BUILDING SELF ESTEEM OVER BEATING THE OPPONENT. THE Y KNOWS THAT WITH THIS APPROACH EVERYONE WINS. FAMILY - THE Y IS PROUD TO BE A FAMILY ORGANIZATION. WE GIVE FAMILIES A SAFE, RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE PLACE TO GO. RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES LET FAMILIES RELAX AND ENJOY EACH OTHER. WE HELP PEOPLE GROW AS RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF FAMILIES. ACTIVITIES FOSTER UNDERSTANDING AND COMPANIONSHIP.

CHILD CARE SERVICES - THE EAU CLAIRE YMCA HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF CHILD CARE IN OUR AREA. CURRENTLY, WE PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE TO APPROXIMATELY 650 CHILDREN EACH WEEK DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR (APPROXIMATELY 300 IN THE SUMMER MONTHS), RANGING IN AGE FROM INFANTS TO MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH. WE PROVIDE FULL AND PART TIME OPTIONS TO SERVE A WIDE RANGE OF FAMILY SCHEDULING NEEDS. OUR PROGRAMS ARE BASED ON YEARS OF RESEARCH AND ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY AS A WHOLE. PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE IS CENTRAL TO THE Y'S MISSION. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO W-2 FAMILIES. WE ALSO ASSIST FAMILIES THROUGH AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. OUR BEFORE/AFTER PROGRAM AND SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAM ARE SAFE, HIGH-QUALITY ALTERNATIVES FOR WORKING PARENTS. KNOWING THAT A CHILD IS BEING CARED FOR IN A Y PROGRAM ENABLES THESE PARENTS TO REMAIN GAINFULLY AND PRODUCTIVELY EMPLOYED. OUR SUMMER TEEN LEADERSHIP MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM GIVES KIDS GOOD ROLE MODELS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM AND GOOD VALUES, INCLUDING, COOPERATION, RESPECT FOR THE BODY, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC. TEEN ACTIVITIES REFLECT THE GROWING AWARENESS THAT ADOLESCENTS NEEDS STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES DURING NON-SCHOOL HOURS. INTERACTION WITH TEENS WILL HELP PREVENT THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE THAT HAS PLAGUED OUR COMMUNITIES.