YMCA of the Northern Sky

NOURISHING OUR COMMUNITYIn 2025, the YMCA provided 632,750 meals and snacks through our programs and directly to children and families across our community. Through summer meal programs, super snacks, Blizzard Boxes, and mobile meal distribution, the YMCA continues to ensure youth have reliable access to nutritious food when and where they need it most.The YMCA's Mobile Meals and Hunger Heroes programs remove barriers to food access by delivering meals directly to neighborhoods, schools, parks, and community gathering spaces creating safe, accessible, and stigma-free opportunities for children to receive healthy meals.In 2025, the YMCA expanded its Rural Food Program, now known as Hunger Heroes, into 13 rural communities, including Oakes and Valley City, North Dakota, and Battle Lake and Breckenridge, Minnesota, helping reach even more children and families experiencing food insecurity. This program delivered 97,000 meals to children under the age of 18 in 9 weeks during the summer when school isn't in session. A time when children are often the most hungry. Together with schools, community partners, volunteers, and local organizations, the YMCA is responding to the growing need for food assistance across urban and rural communities alike.When a child has access to reliable food, everything changes. Together, we fuel their future.YOUTH PROGRAMS & CAMP: GROWING WITH PURPOSEIn 2025, 3,894 youth built confidence, skills, and lasting friendships through YMCA sports programs and summer day camps. At YMCA Camp Cormorant, 903 overnight campers experienced personal growth, independence, and connection in the outdoors, while 250 children attended camp with scholarship support, ensuring access for families regardless of financial circumstances.From the court to the campsite, YMCA programs create safe, welcoming spaces where young people discover their strengths, develop meaningful relationships, and gain a true sense of belonging.SWIM SAFETY: BUILDING CONFIDENCE, COURAGE & LIFESAVING SKILLSIn 2025, 3,253 youth participated in YMCA swim safety and swim lesson programs, gaining essential water safety skills that help prevent drowningone of the leading causes of accidental death for children. Swim instruction at the YMCA is a proven, life-saving intervention that equips children with the ability to stay safe in and around water.Beyond skill development, swim lessons build confidence, courage, perseverance, and self-trust. For many children, entering the water for the first time means facing fear and trying something unfamiliar. With supportive instruction, they learn to float, breathe, and swim independentlyexperiences that build resilience and a strong sense of accomplishment that extends well beyond the pool.The YMCA also provides swim instruction for adults who are learning to swim later in life. These classes offer a welcoming, judgment-free environment where participants overcome fear of water, develop critical safety skills, and gain lifelong confidence.In addition, YMCA swim programs serve New Americans of all ages through culturally responsive instruction that supports individuals and families who may be experiencing pools and open water environments for the first time. These programs prioritize safety, comfort, and inclusion while building essential water survival skills.Across all ages, YMCA swim programs create safe, supportive spaces where individuals build independence, confidence, and lifelong respect for water. By meeting people where they are and removing barriers to access, the YMCA ensures more children, adults, and families can safely enjoy water activities while gaining skills that can save lives.Through every lesson, the YMCA strengthens not only swim ability, but courage, confidence, and connection.