The New Canaan Community Young Mens Christian Association Inc

The new canaan ymca is a community resource dedicated to promoting wellness among people of all ages through good health and exercise habits. Our programs are designed to help people set realistic goals for self-improvement and disease prevention through an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, and health education. Members ages 14 through adulthood participate in a variety of cardiovascular, strength training, mind-body and nutrition programs. The new canaan ymca offers approximately 100 adult group fitness classes per week. Classes include strength training, cardio, cycling, aquatics, dance, barre, yoga, and pilates and are available to members ages 14+ at all fitness levels . Approximately 85 children learned how to safely achieve a healthy lifestyle at the y through our families in training program, which encourages families to work-out together and helps kids ages 12 and older to begin making healthy choices. The ymca's national diabetes prevention program was launched in late 2024. The program connects participants with a lifestyle coach and a greater community of people seeking a healthier lifestyle. The program is designed to help participants eat healthier, find new ways to engage in regular physical activity, and lose weight, to delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. In our launch year, there were 4 participants in the diabetes prevention program.the new canaan ymca maintains a long-standing partnership with stamford health that includes on-site physical therapy offices and a nurse coordinator available for member screenings, advice, and quick referrals. Stamford health also conducts health lectures open to the community at not charge. New canaan ymca offered open play pickleball four days per week in our gym. Approximately 100 players of all levels of ability gathered each week to improve their skills, physical health and participate in a fun social setting. The new canaan ymca's adult volleyball program consistently engages an average of 70 participants per session, fostering an inclusive environment for athletes of various skill levels with an emphasis on teamwork, physical fitness, and skill development. The new canaan ymca's men's basketball league is open to the community and includes a 10-game regular season including playoffs. In 2024, 40 players participated. The masters swim program is for adult swimmers looking to improve their endurance and strokes in the pool, whether for triathlons, masters competition, or personal well-being. The program is open to new canaan ymca members and non-members ages 18+. Twenty swimmers participated in 2024.

The ymca strives to provide a welcoming, affirmative environment where all individuals can feel comfortable and receive the support they need to improve their overall wellness regardless of economic circumstances. The new canaan ymca remained committed to supporting our community members who require financial assistance to benefit from the y's services. In 2024, new canaan ymca awarded financial assistance of over $134,000 to approximately 302 individuals for membership and over $30,000 to 73 individuals toward program assistance. In 2024, the ymca provided approximately $3,000 in assistance for 1 child enrolled in the y's childcare center and more than $48,000 in financial assistance to 36 campers to attend summer camp. Approximately $9,800 was appropriated from the proceeds of y's annual golf tournament to cover the employment costs of aides and a nurse for summer camp. In 2024 the new canaan y's inclusion and support department coordinated with star, a local nonprofit, to provide specialized programs for adults with developmental disabilities. In 2024, the new canaan ymca hosted a variety of events and opportunities for families in the community. Approximately 200 people attended a free winter wonderland family event in december aimed at bringing families together. Families made snowmen crafts at home that were then displayed throughout the y. In 2024, approximately 20 individuals participated in a family camp-in event. The indoor family camp event hosted around 20 participants, offering a cozy, engaging experience for all ages. Activities included square dancing, swimming, making s'mores, lively sing-alongs, and a variety of fun games designed to bring everyone together. Participants were invited to sleep on-site in tents, creating an immersive camping atmosphere. The event fostered bonding and enjoyment through shared experiences in a warm, indoor setting.in 2024, the new canaan ymca and 21 strong partnered to host their 13th annual world down syndrome day celebration with over 250 participants and 50 volunteers. The day aims to raise awareness and understanding of down syndrome to create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with down syndrome around the world. The community event featured a variety of family-friendly activities including fun in the kid zone, music, a photo booth, crafts, sports, martial arts, dance jam, games, and more, celebrating the abilities of individuals with down syndrome in the community.the new canaan ymca's foreverwell program addresses the need to enhance the physical and social lives of individuals over 55. In 2024, the y held 10 foreverwell lunches hosting an average of 35 participants at each lunch. Participants engaged in social conversation, met new people, and enjoyed varied enrichment activities. In 2024, 31 individuals participated in one or more sessions of a cancer survivor physical activity program called livestrong at the ymca. Livestrong at the ymca is a small group program designed for adult cancer survivors. The program is offered at no charge to any cancer survivor in the community. In addition to the physical benefits, the program provides participants a supportive environment and a feeling of community with their fellow survivors, ymca staff and members. To maintain the level of quality of the program and service to our participants, our instructors are required to stay current on their trainings and encouraged to gain knowledge and understanding of the cancer survivor population.also in 2024, 17 individuals participated in a program designed specifically for people affected by parkinson's disease. This 6-week exercise program is taught in a small group setting under the direction of a personal trainer who holds a nationally recognized certification in parkinson's exercise instruction. Participants are instructed through a physical and cognitive exercise program that in some cases has been shown to slow disease progression, boost mood, build independence, and improve strength, mobility, gait, and balance.in 2024, an employment initiative supported by the y's endowment fund, continued with the goal of providing competitive work opportunities for individuals with special needs. In 2024, the y employed six individuals in roles including a camp mini assistant, wellness assistant, aquatics assistant and a children's program assistant.the new canaan ymca continued its partnership with facing the future, an organization located in the kenyan slum of kibera, nairobi, africa. Currently, the organization serves approximately 380 needy children. In 2024, $38,850 in restricted donations were received from generous donors and sponsors. Of that total, the new canaan ymca appropriated over $37,700 towards the facing the future organization in 2024. 100% of contributions provide direct support to facing the future operations, including medical supplies, educational supplies, meals, and building expenses. In addition, the ymca supports continuing education for qualified students at the high school level.