YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF BOULDER VALLEY

health living: today in colorado and southern wyoming, as in other areas of the country, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and associated chronic diseases have surpassed tobacco use as the leading cause of death. one out of every four coloradons is overweight or obese, and two-thirds of the adults who walk through the doors of the ymca have multiple needs and at least one risk factor for heart disease. YMCA PROGRAMS FOR "HEALTH SEEKERS" INCLUDE IMPROVING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, TEACHING HEALTHY LIVING HABITS, COACHING ON STRESS REDUCTION AND GUIDANCE ON HOW TO BE A HEALTHY ROLE MODEL. OUR GOAL IS TO ADDRESS ALL OF THESE ISSUES WITH PROGRAMS SUCHAS GROUP EXERCISE, HEALTH SCREENINGS, PHYSICAL REHABILITATION AND SPIRIT, MIND, BODY PROGRAMS TO HELP MEMBERS AND PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS CONTINUALLY FEEL THAT THEY BELONG. THIS IS DONE BY PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND HEALTH HABITS AND PROVIDING PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL FITNESS LEVELS TO ENGAGE IN AND ENJOY ACTIVITY AND MOVEMENT. THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS THAT MEMBERS WILL ADOPT LIFE-LONG HEALTHY LIFESTYLES NO MATTER THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC. THE Y IS OPEN TO ALL. THE HEALTH OF COLORADO CHILDREN HAS ALSO BEEN SADLY AND STEADILY DECLINING WHEN IT COMES TO OBESITY. NEARLY A QUARTER OF COLORADO CHILDREN ARE OBESE. THE ECONOMIC COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY ARE STAGGERING. THE Y PROVIDES MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO STAY ACTIVE AND FIND A PASSION FOR SPORTS, MOVEMENT AND RECREATION, INCLUDING SPORTS AND ICE PROGRAMS, CAMPING AND NATURE EXPLORATION PROGRAMS, KARATE CLASSES AND FITNESS ASSESSMENTS AND SUPPORT. IN THE WAKE OF COVID AND AS ISOLATION CONTINUES TO IMPACT THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF OLDER AMERICANS, THE Y HAS ALSO STRENGTHENED ITS FOCUS ON PROVIDING SENIORS SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY AND CONNECTIONS, HOSTING LECTURES, POTLUCKS, COFFEE HOURS AND WELLNESS OFFERINGS THAT GIVE SENIORS POSITIVE SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: THE YMCA STRIVES TO TURN NO CHILD AWAY FROM ITS PROGRAMS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. THROUGH THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT CAMPAIGN, THE YMCA OF NORTHERN COLORADO RAISES FUNDS TO HELP FULFILL THIS COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. IN 2024, WE ENGAGED THOUSANDS OF YOUTH IN PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDED SAFE PLACES TO LEARN, MOVE AND GROW. Y PROGRAMS HELP YOUTH TO LIVE BALANCED LIVES THAT FOCUS ON CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, NURTURING LEADERSHIP AND SELF- CONFIDENCE, LEARNING THE VALUE OF GIVING BACK, AND CONNECTING WITH SUPPORTIVE MENTORS. AT THE Y, WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES A CHANCE TO ATTEND A SUMMER CAMP - TO SPEND TIME WITH SUPPORTIVE ROLE MODELS AND TO DEVELOP CONFIDENCE, RESILIENCE, AND UNDERSTANDING. IN 2024, THE Y PROVIDED EXPERIENCES FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND CAMPERS IN DAY CAMPS, AT OVERNIGHT CAMP AND IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS. NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF OUR CAMPERS RECEIVED SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT IS NOT JUST SAVED FOR SUMMERTIME. HIGHLY TRAINED AND QUALIFIED STAFF PROVIDE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES FOR HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN EACH WEEK THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR WHILE PARENTS WORK; NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF OUR FAMILIES COULD NOT AFFORD TO PARTICIPATE WITHOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE YMCA. THE Y LETS KIDS BE KIDS, AND EVERY KID GETS TO PLAY. THESE CHILDCARE PROGRAMS ARE VITAL FOR WORKING PARENTS - WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIND OR KEEP EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT CONSISTANT CHILDCARE - AND TO LOCAL ECONOMIES. WE ALSO SERVED THOUSANDS OF YOUNGSTERS IN YOUTH SPORTS, SWIMMING AND ICE PROGRAMS IN 2024. IN YOUTH SPORTS, THE YMCA TEACHES SKILLS, LEADERSHIP, AND TEAMWORK. THE Y MAKES SURE THAT ALL KIDS WHO WANT TO PARTICIPATE GET TO BE PART OF A TEAM. THE Y TEACHES KIDS CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS THROUGH THE USE OF SPORTS. IN 2024, MORE THAN 3,000 KIDS LEARNED TO SWIM AND FEEL SAFE IN THE WATER AT Y POOLS. IN 2024, THE Y PROVIDED FREE WATER SAFETY LESSONS TO LOW-INCOME CHILDREN FROM A NEARBY SCHOOL AT THE CHEYENNE YMCA. SAFETY LESSONSTO LOW-INCOME CHILDREN FROM A NEARBY SCHOOL AT THE CHEYENNE YMCA.