Bangor Young Mens Christian Association

Healthy living: evidence-based chronic disease prevention, healthy, lifestyle, aquatics. The bangor ys healthy living programs are vital to the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of mainers, from babies to older adults in their 90s and beyond. It spent 1.9 million on healthy living programs in 2024, a 9% increase over 2023. Its extensive chronic disease prevention offerings include cancer, cardiac rehabilitation, alzheimers disease, parkinsons disease, arthritis, and healthy aging programs. Healthy lifestyle programs range from group and dance fitness classes to yoga, tai chi, cycling, youth sports, and personal training for all ages. An acknowledged aquatics leader and water safety expert in the region, the y has taught mainers how to swim for more than 100 years. Its dedication to diversity and inclusion means every mainer is welcome, from children and teens with diverse abilities to adults who need help overcoming their fear of water. Overall, 9,702 mainers participated in the y's healthy living programs in 2024, a 9% increase over last year.

Social responsibility: teen center, community food pantry, second wind social club, financial assistance. Teen center: launched in 2019, the ys free, no barrier teen center is the ys social contract with its community to support at-risk and other maine teens ages 12-18. Programs include mental health counseling, workforce development, social activities, meals, and field trips, providing a strong and resilient foundation for maines youth. The teen center welcomes teens of all backgrounds including vulnerable and at-risk youth. Teens are encouraged to demonstrate social responsibility by volunteering for a variety of y initiatives, including its food pantry. Community food pantry: launched in 2022 to address gaps in the region's food insecurity delivery system, the food pantry is evidence of the y's commitment to modeling ethical leadership and caring for maines most vulnerable residents. Operating the pantry is a joint effort between y staff and the teen center. Second wind: devoted to promoting overall, lifelong health and social connection, the second wind social club continues the ys long-term dedication to maines older adults and is free with y membership. Financial assistance: as a socially responsible organization, the bangor y has a long history of helping mainers most in need. In 2024, it gave 538,812 in financial assistance, a significant 54% increase over 2023, to help mainers of all income levels and ages access y programs.