YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF THE SHOALS INC

1ST - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - AT THE Y, WE BELIEVE THE VALUES AND SKILLS LEARNED EARLY ON ARE VITAL BUILDING BLOCKS FOR QUALITY OF LIFE AND FUTURE SUCCESS. THAT'S WHY OUR CHILD CARE,AFTERSCHOOL CARE AND SUMMER DAY CAMP PROGRAMS ARE STAFFED WITH PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF KIDS, THE NEED CHILDREN HAVE TO FEEL CONNECTED AND SUPPORTED IN TRYING NEW THINGS AND THE CARING AND REINFORCEMENT PARENTS AND FAMILIES NEED TO HELP EACH OTHER. THE Y PROVIDES SAFE,SUPERVISED CARE UNTIL 6 P.M. FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN (K-6). IN FLORENCE CITY AND LAUDERDALE COUNTY SCHOOLS, BUSES WILL PICK UP CHILDREN AND BRING THEM BACK TO OUR FACILITY.BEFORE SCHOOL CARE IS AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN IN THE FLORENCE CITY SCHOOLS. IN 2023, WE PROVIDED 139,495 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (SCHOLARSHIPS). 2ND - HEALTHY LIVING - THE YMCA AIMS TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING BY PROVIDING PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE WELLNESS, REDUCE RISK FOR DISEASE AND HELP OTHERS RECLAIM THEIR HEALTH. THESE PROGRAMS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THE Y DOES ARE IN SERVICE OF MAKING US OUR COMMUNITY BETTER. THE RESULT IS A COMMUNITY THAT VALUES HEALTH AND COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPORT HEALTHY CHOICES.IN ADDITION TO OUR PHYSICAL FITNESS CLASSES AND FACILITIES, WE PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE HEALTHIER DECISIONS, AND OFFER A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL AND SPIRITUAL STRENGTH. 3RD - SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, WE MOVE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY FORWARD. WE ARE COMMITTED TO INSPIRING A SPIRIT OF SERVICE BY UNITING INDIVIDUALS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO PARTICIPATE IN AND WORK FOR POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE. WE CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH OUR FRIDAY BACKPACK PROJECT. ABOUT HALF OF OUR AFTER SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE ON FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH AT SCHOOL. THIS MEANS THEY GET BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT SCHOOL MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE FOOD WE SEND HOME IN BACKPACKS EACH FRIDAY HELPS FILL THE GAP BETWEEN FRIDAY AND MONDAY. IT'S ALL SINGLE-SERVE, KID-FRIENDLY FOOD LIKE MAC AND CHEESE, FRUIT CUPS, PEANUT BUTTER CRACKERS AND CEREAL BARS.