Young Mens Christian Association

3 - social responsibility - the grand forks ymca believes in giving back and supporting our neighbors. We have been listening and responding to our community's most critical social needs for over 139 years. Y programs, such as military outreach initiative, lifesaving and safety classes, service learning, our partner of youth scholarship assistance program, mentoring and volunteer opportunities, community wide health incentive programs, youth water safety education, as well as, playing an active role on the local greater grand forks health coalition, are all examples of how we deliver training, resources, and support that empower our neighbors to effect change, bridge gaps, and overcome obstacles. In 2024, we engaged ymca members, participants, and volunteers in activities that strengthen our community and pave the way for future generations to thrive. We empowered over 238 volunteers to give back and support their neighbors, 23 service learning experiences for teens, certified individuals in safety courses, engaged 31 individuals in our community wide health program, instructed 14 youth in water safety education in our safety around the water program and involved 3 members of military families through our outreach initiative, giving them opportunities to be healthy, and feel confident, connected and secure.

2 - heathly living - the y is a leading voice on health and well-being. We bring families closer together, encourage good health, and foster connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, 10,350 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 an obesity crisis, families struggle 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. In 2024, we provided $99,131 in financial assistance to people who otherwise would have faced economic barriers to participation. Y programs, such as family fitness, parent/child and adult swimming, group land and water exercise classes for all ages, senior specific fitness programs, livestrong cancer survivor program, parkinson's wellness program, strength training, cycling, health education and screenings, a senior social club, personal training and adult recreational leagues, promote healthy lifestyle activities, bringing people together with shared athletic and recreational interests. The sports and fitness programs served 4,479 individuals. The ymca aquatics programs served infants through seniors, providing specific swimming and water safety skills that will be lifelong and lifesaving skills, promotes good health through physical activity. As residents of a community that borders the lake country of minnesota, people in this community could be subject to dramatic safety incidents in and around the water. Our aquatics programs help prevent potential drowning situations for youth and adults. Our aquatics programs included our progressive swimming lessons, instructional swimming classes, open and family swimming, aquatic exercise programs, including special classes for senior adults to help individuals increase strength, flexibility, relieve pain and maintain a healthy and productive quality of life in a comfortable exercise class setting. Other specialized classes provided support to cancer survivors, individuals with parkinson's disease and individuals who are at risk for diabetes. Our open and family swim program gives youth and adults shared time in the pool to reconnect as families and promote intergenerational relationships. In the current period, 2,575 youth and adults participated in ymca aquatic programs.