I have been a member of the YMCA since I was 15 years old and started working out to train for swim team. My first job was as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Y. The Y has been an important part of my life for a long time and now I am very proud to be serving my second term on the Board of Directors.
Admittedly, I too assumed the Y was just a place to workout. Then I had my daughter and I added daycare, swim lessons and other kids activities to that list. What I didn't realize, was that the Y offers so much more to our community... and it's not just free or reduced memberships.
Below is a snapshot of some of the programs that the Y offers that I initially found surprising and am now very proud to share. After learning all that the Y does, Mike and I have made the Y an organization that we make a meaningful contribution to every year and I am hoping I can encourage you to do the same. Thank you for helping to support this amazing organization and all that they do for our community!
Food Program: The Y serves more than 200,000 healthy meals and snacks to over 1,300 children who might otherwise go hungry. The Summer Food Program serves 4 free and healthy meals daily to any child in the La Crosse community. These meals are served not just at the Y locations but other locations as well.
Youth Enrichment Program: After noticing a growing number of non-member school age kids (too young for the Teen Center) gathering in the YMCA lobby, the Youth Enrichment Program was started. This program gives kids who otherwise have no where else to be free access to the pool, gym and other Y facilities. They work with Y staff on life skills such as cooking meals and snacks on their own. They spend time in the Y's Food Forest and help with other Y activities and events giving them a greater sense of purpose and probably most importantly, these kids get access to positive role models. Many of the kids who participate in the Youth Enrichment Program "graduate" on to the Teen Center.
Teen Center: I had the opportunity to take a tour and meet with the Teen Center staff recently and learned so much about this resource. Any teen, whether they have a Y membership or not, can come to the Teen Center and take advantage of a safe place to hang out with friends, cook a healthy meal in the fully stocked kitchen, jam out in a fully loaded music studio or get creative in an art studio that would make any artist jealous. Knowing what teens are up against these days, it is amazing to see what the Teen Center has to offer, including a compassionate staff who are there to help.
LIVESTRONG: The Live Strong program is another completely free program that the Y offers. I have seen the impact having cancer and going through treatment has on both the body and the mind. Through the Y's LIVESTRONG program, Adults who have gone through cancer treatment can regain their strength and sense of well-being with a group of other cancer survivors.