WACO FAMILY YMCA

HEALTHY LIVING-IMPROVING THE NATION'S HEALTH, SPECIFICALLY WACO-MCLENNAN COUNTY, AND WELL-BEING. THAT'S WHY WE HELP PEOPLE AND FAMILIES BUILD AND MAINTAIN HEALTHY HABITS FOR SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES. BY HELPING KIDS, ADULTS, FAMILIES, AND SENIORS FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, WE BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITY FOR US ALL. WE BRING FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH, AND FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, AND FUN, SHARED EXPERIENCES. THE YMCA PROVIDES A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES WHICH ASSIST OUR COMMUNITY WITH ATTAINING HEALTHY HABITS INCLUDING OVER 150 WEEKLY LAND AND WATER FITNESS CLASSES, CPR/ FIRST AID CLASSES, LIFEGUARD TRAINING, YOUTH AND ADULT SPORTS PROGRAMS, 5K TRAINING PROGRAMS, ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS PROGRAMS, AND CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAMS. OUR PREVENTION PROGRAMS ARE ALL EVIDENCED-BASED AND INCLUDE ENHANCED FITNESS (FREE COMMUNITY BASED, SENIOR FITNESS AND ARTHRITIS MANAGEMENT), LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA (FREE PROGRAM TO HELP CANCER SURVIVORS REGAIN THEIR TOTAL HEALTH), MEND (MIND, EXERCISE, NUTRITION, DO, IT!- A FREE LIFESTYLE PROGRAM TO HELP KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES REACH AND MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT), AND THE YMCA'S DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM (WITH OVER 30% OF AMERICAN ADULTS IDENTIFIED AS PRE-DIABETIC, THIS YEAR ROUND PREVENTION PROGRAM HELPS ADULTS AT RISK FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES REDUCE THEIR RISK OF DEVELOPING THE DISEASE).

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT-NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD IN WACO-MCLENNAN COUNTY. WE BELIEVE ALL KIDS DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF ADULTS WHO CARE ABOUT THEM AND BELIEVE IN THEIR POTENTIAL. WE SEE EVERY INTERACTION WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT. EVERY DAY, WE HELP YOUTH CULTIVATE VALUES, SKILLS, AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE BEHAVIORS, BETTER HEALTH, AND EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. OUR YMCA PROGRAMS SUCH AS AFTERSCHOOL, SUMMER CAMP, AND HOLIDAY CAMP CARE; CHILD WATCH; YMCA'S EDNA LEARNING CENTER (FULL-DAY EARLY CHILD CARE CENTER); TEEN DIGITAL MEDIA PROGRAM; YOUTH SPORTS; YEAR ROUND FOOD PROGRAM; BABY SITTER TRAINING; LIFEGUARD TRAINING; CHEERLEADING; HIP-HOP DANCE; RUNWACORUN (FREE AFTERSCHOOL 5K TRAINING PROGRAM WITH 400 PARTICIPANTS); BASKETBALL CLINIC (FREE SUMMER CLINIC WHICH PROMOTED CHARACTER AND ANTI-BULLYING WITH ALMOST 400 PARTICIPANTS) AND SWIM LESSONS (ONLY LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION WHICH PROVIDES THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE-SAVING SKILL) OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH.