Young Mens Christian Association Of Boulder Valley

Youth development: the ymca strives to turn no child away from its programs regardless of their ability to pay. Through the annual community support campaign, the ymca of northern colorado raises funds to help fulfill this commitment to our community. In 2024, we engaged thousands of youth in programs that provided safe places to learn, move and grow. Y programs help youth to live balanced lives that focus on character development, nurturing leadership and self- confidence, learning the value of giving back, and connecting with supportive mentors. At the y, we believe that every child deserves a chance to attend a summer camp - to spend time with supportive role models and to develop confidence, resilience, and understanding. In 2024, the y provided experiences for several thousand campers in day camps, at overnight camp and in outdoor education programs. Nearly one-third of our campers received some form of financial assistance. The mentorship and support is not just saved for summertime. Highly trained and qualified staff provide positive experiences for hundreds of children each week throughout the school year while parents work; nearly one-third of our families could not afford to participate without financial assistance provided by the ymca. The y lets kids be kids, and every kid gets to play. These childcare programs are vital for working parents - who would not be able to find or keep employment without consistant childcare - and to local economies. We also served thousands of youngsters in youth sports, swimming and ice programs in 2024. In youth sports, the ymca teaches skills, leadership, and teamwork. The y makes sure that all kids who want to participate get to be part of a team. The y teaches kids critical life skills through the use of sports. In 2024, more than 3,000 kids learned to swim and feel safe in the water at y pools. In 2024, the y provided free water safety lessons to low-income children from a nearby school at the cheyenne ymca. Safety lessonsto low-income children from a nearby school at the cheyenne ymca.

Social responsibility: in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, families and individuals sit at a confluence of crises. Housing prices and inflation continue to impact families' bottom line. On top of that, the limited availability of childcare as well as the cost of care have made life even more difficult for working families. Colorado's average annual cost of childcare was $16,333, ranking as among the most significant care cost burden in the country. These challenges impact the financial wellbeing of women, single parents, families in poverty, families of color and immigrant families. That's why the ymca of northern colorado has focused its energy on expanding childcare and ensuring families have access to affordable care, accepting government assistance programs and providing financial assistance to those in need. In addition to providing financial assistance for families, the ymca of northern colorado acted as a full-fledged partner in the mental and physical well-being of the community as a whole. As social media divides us and creates discord, the y works to bring people together, building connections, starting conversations and combating isolation. From volunteerism and classes to community events and senior gatherings, the y helps people find purpose and belonging in a world of division.