Young Mens Christian Association Of The Suncoast Inc

Programs: Youth development:our ymca is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen. We believe all kids have great potential and deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That's why we help young people cultivate the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement. Our ymca programs, such as school age programs before and afterschool care, summer camp, leaders clubs, swim, sports & play and others, offer a range of experiences that enrich social-emotional, cognitive and physical growth. Expenses include subsidies and direct financial assistance that make participation possible for approximately 20 percent of the young people we engage. ((continued on schedule o))the ymca provides before and afterschool care throughout the school year to pre-k and school-age children residing from pinellas to citrus county, including special needs and developmentally disabled children. Ymca school age care ensures that the time gaps before and after school are filled creatively and constructively. This program provides working parents with safe, educational, affordable, quality supervision for their children from the hours of 6:30 a. M. To the beginning of school, and from school dismissal to 6:00 p. M. , and all day on school holidays. All of our afterschool programs focus on youth development for all communities with a holistic development focus (social/emotional, physical and cognitive/academic). Additionally, afterschool readers is in place in all four counties served. Afterschool readers gives kids access to books and encourages reading a minimum of 90 minutes per week in the afterschool program. Children have the chance to express their talents in the arts, sports, and other areas of interest, taking advantage of all the y has to offer. Kids find out what success is all about in an approach that says, "everybody plays, everybody wins. " time is set aside for tackling homework with adult help available. Program components include health and wellness, academics, science, technology, engineering and math ("stem"), leadership development, service learning, arts education, global learning and parent and caregiver engagement. All youth participate in value sessions focusing on character development and are provided enrichment opportunities to include swimming and outdoor recreation. Each of these programs contribute to developing family interaction and communication, as well as educating children in the importance of family, community and making good choices for a healthy future. The framework for each program is based on the core values of the ymca: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. We recognize that all children can learn and achieve and that children have different learning styles, different interests, and different talents which can be fostered to maximize success inside and outside of the classroom. Our ymca provides high quality curriculum using multiple partners for enrichment programs and evidence based curriculum such as kidzmath, kidzscience, sanford harmony, the food and fun curriculum developed in part by the yusa and harvard research center. The curriculum identifies, utilizes and recognizes cultural differences and commonalities throughout most activities and aligns with the common core state standards. The school age programs providing before and afterschool care programs operates in 60 elementary schools, middle schools and ymca sites serving more than 7,000 children throughout the school year. Ymca-subsidized financial assistance was provided for approximately 20% of those children totaling $601,000. A successful afterschool signature academic and enrichment focused program, the achievement gap program, continues to grow within pinellas, pasco and hernando county schools. This began as a pilot in 2012 in one elementary school and has expanded to eleven locations in 2017. Key program features combine community partnerships and joint educational learning and tutoring to benefit students who are falling behind. Although designed to help those that are falling behind, all the students enrolled in the afterschool program are benefitting from supplemental learning through activities, games, and projects that are fun and engaging. Our programs also use graffiti wall, a curriculum focusing on global learning and stem. It has games, puzzles, activities and projects that engage the children in thinking "outside of the box" in these component areas. The juvenile welfare board of pinellas county (jwb) funded a number of slots for children with financial need to attend one of six different elementary school sites of the promise time program (formerly cost, community out-of-school time) at no cost to them. The program provides before and after-care staffing, tutors, school liaisons and enrichment learning activities (arts, stem). The funds pay for the y to incorporate tutoring and enrichment components to these elementary schools. A needs assessment for families was included. The ymca afterschool partnership with pinellas county schools is able to provide not only snacks but weekday dinner meals to all participants and families in most elementary schools in the county (all title i schools). In hernando and citrus counties, some schools also offer the free dinner program. The enrollment cost to children is free and the cost to additional family members is nominal. Along with these meals, ys offer educational programming to complement youth development, increase nutritional quality and physical activities following healthy eating and physical activity (hepa) standards. Ymca summer camps serve preschool children, school age children, and teenagers residing in our four-county service area. Kids have fun while they learn how to make new friends, build new skills and grow in self-confidence. For kids, y camp is a fun way to enjoy the summer. For moms and dads, it's a way to give their children a positive developmental experience. For parents who work outside the home, y camp also serves as childcare. Some participants attend for the social and educational benefits, even though a parent may be at home. Service begins the first day of summer vacation and continues until school begins again in the fall. For over 4,300 children in 2017, camp provided high quality, affordable, safe places with qualified supervision. Ymca-subsidized financial assistance was given to approximately 20% of campers, totaling $243,000. Based on the national ymca program model, ymca camp provides children with an outdoor, social experience built in an atmosphere of fun, learning and respect for the purpose of building self-esteem through growth of the spirit, mind, and body. This is accomplished through activities that include field trips, crafts, songs, archery, values, fitness, sports, nature activities, swimming, and canoeing. Depending on the age level, staff ratios range from 1:10 to 1:15. Camp focuses on the individual camper-to-counselor relationship based on the worth of individuals as a birthright. This relationship is the primary vehicle for the development of positive self-esteem, upon which, we believe, all behavior is based. Outdoor education, outdoor skill development, and sharing of international cultures through counselor exchange programs remain important parts of the content of our programs. As "the experience that lasts a lifetime", ymca camping is where the child spends the most time during the summer - a responsibility that the ymca takes very seriously. The bell power scholars academy summer program operated in two summer camp locations and introduced 240 scholars in grades k-5 to a culture of high expectations. Students were encouraged to "discover the genius within" through weekly themes, college and career readiness over a six-week period. Previously underperforming scholars increased an average 1 months' grade-equivalent in reading gains and an average 2. 5 months' grade equivalent in math gains. The pinellas county school board contracted again with our organization to provide wrap around care for their summer bridge program. We served over 800 children (in wrap around care) funded in full or in part by the juvenile welfare board to attend the summer school learning sessions. Many of these children would not have had a ymca summer camp experience without being involved in this free program to bring them closer to their grade level requirements.

healthy living:the y is committed to improving america's health and well-being, community by community. We bring families closer together, encourage good health and foster connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, 111,000 people in our community are receiving the support, guidance and resources they need to achieve greater health in spirit, mind and body. This is particularly important as our nation struggles with chronic disease and obesity, families wrestle with work/life balance and individuals search for personal fulfillment. Our programs are accessible, affordable and open to all faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. ((continued on schedule o))in 2017, we provided $748,000 in direct financial assistance for memberships and programs to people who otherwise may not have been able to afford to participate. For more than 170 years, the ymca has included an equilateral triangle in its logo as a symbol of wellness, the pursuit of which has long been one of the organization's sought after outcomes. Representative of a balanced spirit, mind and body, the equilateral triangle has often been drawn inside of a circle representing the social dimension of health - our relationships and connections to other people being a key component of our wellness. The ymca of the suncoast provides numerous health and wellness programs for its members and program participants. Among children and families, the ymca promotes the importance of a physically active lifestyle through programs like personal training, active older adults, cpr/first aid, ymca membership, family nights, diabetes prevention, walking and running clubs, social groups, adult sports, family nights, and many others. To support these programmatic efforts, the ymca of the suncoast continued as a pioneer for other ymcas by participating in ymca of the usa health innovation. On a national level, the y continues to support former first lady michelle obama's partnership for a healthier america initiative. The commitment focuses on ending the childhood obesity epidemic and works with the private sector to solve the nation's childhood obesity crisis. Ymcas have always been committed to fostering healthy environments for those in its care. This commitment establishes standards helping to create the healthiest environments possible. Most importantly, the y's commitment means that we can help make the healthy choice the easy choice for the hundreds of thousands of busy parents who rely on the y for early childhood and afterschool programs. For adults the ymca has continued to focus on the needs of the people who most need our support to make healthy behavior changes. Using new data collection techniques learned as a result of our continuing participation in ymca of the usa health innovation initiatives, the ymca of the suncoast paid particular attention to the way in which we engaged health seekers looking at our programs through a new lens. With our healthy living framework, we're focusing on promoting well-being, reducing risk, and reclaiming health. Many are fighting chronic disease, and it is our goal to help each individual find his or her way to the program or place in our ymca that will best help them connect to a life changing activity, group, or new behavior. We are increasingly measuring the connections among members that sustain and support these behaviors. In so doing, we hope to identify and build on successful steps introduced by our staff teams to this effort. In late 2016, we added a position, the vice president of healthy living, to oversee, develop and implement healthy living programming and services for all and promote ymca health and wellness initiatives. This individual builds and maintains collaborations with community health partners such as local hospitals, physicians, state, county and local government agencies, and large employers to incorporate principles of healthy lifestyles into our work as well as provide referral and support to ymca evidence based programs for prevention and management of chronic diseases. Other health and wellness initiatives introduced by ymca of the usa are regularly piloted and tested in our organization. Three ongoing ymca of the usa-developed programs include enhancefitness, moving for better balance and the blood pressure self-monitoring program. Classes for each are held over 12 or 16-week periods and help older adults and others learn techniques to improve strength, coordination and personal health awareness. These classes served 751 participants in 2017. Enhancefitness is a 16-week senior fitness and arthritis management program that helps older adults become more active, energized and empowered for independent living. Exercises focus on cardiovascular endurance, strength, balance and flexibility, which can reduce arthritis symptoms. Moving for better balance is a 12-week falls-prevention program. This program transforms martial arts movements into a therapeutic regimen that improves postural stability, awareness of body positioning, functional walking, and movement symmetry and coordination, range of motion and lower body muscle strength. Lastly, the blood pressure self-monitoring program is a ymca of the usa developed, evidence based program. Learnings focus on reducing blood pressure (bp), bp management and increased awareness of triggers that elevate it and knowledge to develop healthier eating habits. In this program, participants work with a trained healthy-heart ambassador twice per month for 4 months, track blood pressure from home and attend monthly nutrition workshops. Ongoing programs continue to impact in our community. The ymca's diabetes prevention program continues to thrive serving 131 individuals at risk this year. This program's focus is to help those at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles by eating healthier, increasing physical activity and losing a modest amount of weight to reduce their chances of developing the disease. Our key audience for this program has traditionally been the older adult population. Ymca of the suncoast also partners with large local employers to provide classes to their workforce. The ymca of the suncoast continued to be a partner with livestrong. The y has many livestrong groups that address the special wants, needs and interests of cancer survivors. Across our service area, 160 participants were involved in livestrong classes and support. Due to the program's success, the north pinellas branch partnered for a fifth year with morton plant mease, baycare health systems, to act as camp counselors for mease's camp living springs in october 2017. The camp served 70 cancer survivors and the y designed the camp's itinerary. The ymca continues to offer a host of programs for adults including swimming groups, walking and running clubs, yoga, pilates, stress management, personal training, group exercise, active older adults, strength training, social groups and much more. We continue to integrate les mills exercise classes into our group exercise schedules inclusive of popular strength training classes, martial arts-style cardio classes, and cycling classes. Adult sports programs include adult basketball, adult tennis, adult swim lessons and swim leagues, adult volleyball, adult tennis, racquetball, and others. Programs offered meet the needs of the members in each local community. With its commitment to never turn a person or family away because of an inability to pay for services, the ymca continues to be the place in the community that persons of all incomes and backgrounds can find professional support for healthy behavior changes. The ymca of the suncoast provides financial assistance for all persons in need. Charitable contributions to the ymca enable us to provide financial assistance on a sliding scale. We promise that everyone who qualifies will receive assistance to the greatest extent possible based on the availability of funds. Senior programming for active older adults is a large part of our health and wellness offerings. With many retirement communities across our service area, seniors not only come to the y for physical exercise and wellness, but socialization and camaraderie among friends. Along with many senior fitness classes and programs, we also host social trips to local destinations to foster relationship building among our senior communities. In 2017, four of our ymca branches offered diy at the y ("do it yourself at the y"), an initiative that gives older adults, that have a passion and expertise in something an opportunity to volunteer to teach others. Sample classes include knitting, quilting, bible study, gardening, how to build a bird house, how to play bridge & mahjong and many more.

social responsibility:our ymca believes in giving back and supporting our neighbors. We have been listening and responding to our community's most critical social needs for more than 60 years. Y programs, such as volunteerism and giving opportunities, global partners, foster care family support, english as a second language, state alliances (advocacy) and world service, are examples of how we deliver training, resources and support that empower our neighbors to effect change, bridge gaps and overcome obstacles. In 2017, we engaged 111,000 ymca members, participants and volunteers in activities that strengthen our community and pave the way for future generations to thrive. ((continued on schedule o))the ymca of the suncoast, guided by its strategic plan, sets goals to create a culture of philanthropy and volunteerism. The y is focused on advancing our mission through philanthropy by giving, asking, joining and serving. Our plan gives funding priority to increasing our ability to provide financial assistance, creating and expanding programs to serve diverse and low income communities, sustain healthy living programs, close the academic achievement gap and expand programs to increase youth and teen participation, expand the aquatics program so that every child within our service area participates in a begin to swim program, and increase funding for our endowment. The y's volunteer program y community champions continues to grow and expand within the y. Continuous improvement to processes and resources allow the y to better involve community members in meaningful and valuable work. As a volunteer-led organization, the y cannot thrive without the support of volunteers. We honor youth and adult program volunteers from each branch at an annual celebration as well as locally at each branch through various forms of recognition and thanks. In 2017, the ymca of the suncoast's volunteer base grew to 1,027 active volunteers and the total number of hours exceeded 52,000. This equates to more than 25 full time equivalent employees. Our y is fortunate to benefit from talented and dedicated policy volunteers participating at the board of directors and advisory boards at each of our branches. These individuals advise on strategies, recommend policies, locate collaborations in the community, and actively fundraise. Their guidance and oversight is critical to maintain our strong reputation, financial position, community roots and so much more. A total of 142 representatives of the community serve as board of directors and advisory board members. In 2017, the ymca of the suncoast held its twelfth annual mayors' prayer breakfast, hosted by the city of clearwater's mayor. This event, attended by 300 people, was a time for the community to come together in fellowship and prayer. As well, our pasco county ymca held its eleventh annual prayer breakfast in their community and our hernando branch held their annual interfaith service, joining forces with community churches and religious institutions for a morning of praise. In april of 2017, the ymca held its annual national ymca healthy kids day event in all of our locations. The estimated attendance for this event is 1,200 children and adults. Ymca branch facilities partner with local community businesses to promote health and well-being for youth. This day of interactive fun for parents and children welcomes communities across the nation to enjoy free activities that reinforce youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Parents and children are encouraged to think about small steps they can take toward healthier lifestyles and connecting with their community members in positive ways. As described in new programs, in 2017, the ymca of the suncoast introduced new partnerships to serve families that include and care for foster children. We built on relationships with agencies including eckerd kids, directions for living, youth and family alternatives, lutheran family services and kids central to serve families with foster children. They share our call to serve by strengthening youth and families in our communities. This opportunity stems from our strategic plan to ensure that foster homes and foster youth have a ymca connection. Families are invited to take advantage of free access to our branches with a ymca of the suncoast membership. The ymca of the suncoast has an international partnership with the ymca of peru. The relationship allows sharing of program ideas and organizational strengths between the two ymcas. Typically in alternating years members of either the ymca of the suncoast or the ymca of peru travel to each other's country to learn from one another. The vision for the ymca peru - u. S. Ymca movement is implementing a strategy that mutually strengthens the organizational capacities and self-reliance of ymca peru and united states ymcas to deepen global community impact and engagement. Key areas of focus have been identified as: philanthropy and fundraising capacity of ymca peru, teen leadership development adapting peruvian best practices to the u. S. Context, board development and infusing a global dimension across ymca programs in the u. S. The high point ymca is the host facility for english as a second language (esol) classes to members of the community. In 2017, 42 adults and children improved english language skills within our walls. The ymca of the suncoast is a member of the florida state alliance of ymcas. The alliance provides a single, unified voice for the y in florida. Working together, we believe we can focus attention on the issues and needs of ymcas our state and create a healthier and more active state.