THE YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF GREATER DES MOINES

HEALTHY LIVING: THE Y BELIEVES THAT HEALTHY LIVING ENCOMPASSES MULTIPLE FACETS OF HEALTH IN AN INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY CONTEXT, NOT JUST PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. FOLLOWING THE SOCIAL DETERMINATES OF HEALTH, THE Y'S PROGRAMS STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMMUNITY. WE PARTNER WITH MANY HEALTH EXPERTS AND PROVIDERS TO OFFER A VAST ARRAY OF HEALTH PROGRAMMING THAT PROMOTES WELLNESS, DISEASE PREVENTION, AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT. IN 2025, THE YMCA OF GREATER DES MOINES ENGAGED OVER 2,800 SENIORS IN ACTIVITIES AT THE Y LIKE OUR ACTIVE OLDER ADULT PROGRAMMING. OUR SILVER SNEAKER PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH INSURERS TO OFFER FREE EXERCISE AND PROGRAMS FOR SENIOR PARTICIPANTS. WE HOST VARIOUS FITNESS CLASSES LIKE YOGA, CYCLING, AND WATER AEROBICS. MANY ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS IN THE E-GYM PROGRAM WHICH ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO ENGAGE IN HEALTHY PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES IN AN INTERACTIVE GOAL-SETTING FORMAT. FAMILY CONNECTEDNESS IS CRUCIAL FOR ADULT AND YOUTH WELL-BEING AND HEALTH. WE PROVIDE FAMILY-CENTERED PROGRAMMING TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO BRING AND ENGAGE LOVED ONES IN ACTIVITIES TOGETHER. ADDITIONALLY, OUR PROGRAMS FOSTER CONNECTIONS AMONGST PARTICIPANTS TO INSTILL LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AS PEOPLE WORK TOWARD THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH GOALS.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: SINCE 1868, THE YMCA OF GREATER DES MOINES HAS BEEN ADDRESSING AND RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE Y UNDERSTANDS THE CHALLENGES THAT KEEP INDIVIDUALS FROM REACHING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. WE RESPOND WITH SERVICES AND SUPPORT PEOPLE TO BE SELF-RELIANT, PRODUCTIVE, AND CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY. WE RESPOND TO THE ISSUES OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON CRITICAL AREAS LIKE CHILDCARE AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, AND HOUSING FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.THE YMCA OF GREATER DES MOINES ADDRESSES CRITICAL SOCIAL ISSUES THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS, WHICH IMPROVE SENIORS' SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, COGNITIVE, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. OUR SAFETY AROUND WATER PROGRAM IS A DROWNING PREVENTION PROGRAM THAT TEACHES UNDERSERVED CHILDREN ABOUT WATER SAFETY SO THAT WE ACHIEVE A DROWN-PROOF COMMUNITY. OVER 2,100 YOUTH AND ADULTS LEARNED TO SWIM AT THE Y THIS PAST YEAR. OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT OUR Y CAMP IN BOONE SERVE CHILDREN FROM DIVERSE COMMUNITIES TO ENGAGE AND CONNECT YOUTH TO NATURE APPRECIATION. OUR Y SUPPORTIVE HOUSING CAMPUS HOUSES INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WHILE CONNECTING THEM TO SOCIAL SUPPORT AND RESOURCES SO THEY ACHIEVE HOUSING STABILITY AND THRIVE. WE CHAMPION DIVERSITY AT THE Y. OUR PROGRAMS SUPPORT PEOPLE FROM VARIOUS BACKGROUNDS AND ENCOURAGE ALL MEMBERS TO SHARE THEIR VOICES, FOSTER CONNECTION, AND CELEBRATE THE DIVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE GENEROSITY OF OTHERS IS AT THE CORE OF THE YMCA'S EXISTENCE. THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS AND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DONORS, WE CAN MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.