Santa Maria Valley Young Mens Christian Association

Social Responsability-The Santa Maria Valley Family YMCA's community programs promote Social Responsibility by engaging people in opportunities to support their neighbors and give back. The YMCA focuses on reaching out to underserved populations, creating new opportunities for inter-generational interaction, expanding volunteerism, and promoting togetherness among families and the community. The YMCA is a catalyst for bringing people together for the greater good. This past year, one example the Y led efforts to bring the community together was our annual Family Day in the Park providing free entertainment and activities for all ages. Over 5,000 children and families attended the event. Also, The Y recruited and engaged over 850 volunteer tutors in all the schools in the Santa Maria Bonita School District to help with children's homework in the after school care program.

Healthy Living-With a focus on Healthy Living, the YMCA is provides community-based solutions that influence positive change in individuals and in our community. The YMCA is for all people who are making their way toward a life of positive self-esteem, health, and well-being. The YMCA's commitment to support people's efforts to take personal responsibility and make good decisions around nutrition, positive activity, and self-care, spans across generational lines. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA's focus on Healthy Living is evident in numerous programs, including SPORTS, which promotes teamwork, interaction, and development of social and physical skills for more than 1,000 youth and adults, SWIM, which impacts more than 1,200 people, a fitness and well-being center that provides support to 6,000 active older adults, teens and families in their pursuit of healthy spirit, mind and body. The Santa Maria Valley YMCA is a training site for the California Healthy Behavior Initiative which addresses serious health problems facing students in low-income communities at high risk for obesity. This program is being implemented in the afterschool care, summer camp, preschool and kinderbridge programs. Our programs are accessible, affordable and open to all faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. We provide financial assistance to overcome economic barriers to participation.