The Young Mens Christian Association Of Boise City Idaho

CHILD DEVELOPMENT: We believe that all youth are "children of promise when given the support and environment provided through our YMCA programs they will reach their potential. Children in our programs discover who they are, build strength and resiliency skills, and gain the confidence needed to achieve. Through the Treasure Valley Family YMCA Child Development Programs, thousands of children are cultivating the values, skills, and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. Our programs offer quality care by providing a safe, healthy, and caring environment at 30 different locations for children ranging from six weeks old through elementary school. We promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development for children, allowing children to grow through active learning with people, events, materials, peers, and their own ideas. The YMCA provides tuition assistance for all of our child care services. Over $560,000 of financial aid was awarded to families in 2024. In addition, we help families suffering from family violence, substance abuse, and other damaging issues by referring them to our many social service agency partners. We also provide a variety of activities that give parents the education and tools needed to raise healthy, happy children.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: ENRICHMENT, CAMP, & SPORTS: YMCA Youth and Teen programs provide kids with strong mentors who help them develop social connections and a strong support network, self-esteem, cooperation, respect, good citizenship, and a strong work ethic while acquiring and mastering new skills. Programs are designed to nurture successful youth and reduce the incidence of depression, isolation and suicide. Programs under this umbrella include YMCA Youth in Government that exposes young people throughout the State of Idaho to civic leaders and helps them develop an understanding and appreciation of civic involvement and duty. Our service learning and environmental programs help youth develop an appreciation of volunteer service and preservation of our natural resources. Specialty camps are offered that include computer programming, engineering, fashion, cooking/baking and provide additional opportunities for education and engagement. More than 3,000 disadvantaged youth are served each year with education and employment programs, comprehensive support services, and life-skills training. Many programs are provided at no cost, but if a fee is required, financial assistance is available. In 2024, over $350,000 in direct financial assistance was provided to help kids and teens participate in these programs. The Y-CAMP at Horsethief Reservoir provides a lasting experience of personal enrichment. Since 1905, the Treasure Valley YMCA has been offering a traditional resident camp experience for the youth of Idaho. After more than 100 years of camping, we've learned our success starts with our staff, most of whom are former campers who exemplify the Y's character values or caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Our residential (overnight) and day camps offer adventure and outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, and environmental education. These activities promote spiritual awareness, mental development, physical wellbeing, social growth, self-respect and confidence while being safely cared for during their stay at Y Camp. In 2024, over $190,000 in direct financial assistance was provided to help kids and teens participate in these programs. For sports, the Y offers a wide variety of athletic programs, such as baseball, basketball, cross country, football, indoor climbing, track, lacrosse, soccer, swim team, tennis, and volleyball. Y sports programs emphasize character development and provide fun activities that build athletic, social, and interpersonal skills. Participants are surveyed annually and report the following gains - gaining greater confidence (91%), gaining new friends (94%) and better demonstrating the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility (90%). In 2024, more than 6,000 youth participated in our programs in over 60 locations, and we provided over $30,000 in financial assistance.

AQUATICS: Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among youth under the age of 18, and Idaho has the third highest rate of drowning in the nation. The YMCA is the leading provider of swim lessons and water safety instruction. Lessons are delivers through partnerships with local school districts, refugee organizations and municipalities, in addition to classes for the general public. Water Fitness classes, including formats specifically design for the aging population and therapy classes including AquAbility that specializes in improving the lives of people with diverse abilities through therapeutic aquatic programs andinstructor education are offered at all locations. Other safe and healthy programs are offered including swim team, water aerobics, scuba, diving, kayaking, and water polo. Over 7,000 people participated in our aquatics programs in 2024, and we provided over $500,000 of direct financial assistance to enable people's participation.

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