Young Men's Christian Association of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties

At the y, strengthening community is our purpose. The ymca fosters healthy living, youth development and social responsibility. It is part of our mission to not only offer the community a path to these goals but to do all we can to make sure no one is ever turned away because of financial hardship. Our financial assistance program provides hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to help individuals and families participate in wellness memberships, and much-needed child care and camp. The generous donations from our community are what make that possible. We serve three crucial areas of focus to help individuals, families and communities learn, grow and thrive.the y is for youth development, offering all children the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. With a focus in nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the nation's health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors, the y enables youth to be healthy, confident, connected and secure. The y is for healthy living, improving the nation's health and well-being. The y brings families closer together, encourages good health and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, millions of youth, adults and families are receiving support, guidance and resources needed to achieve greater health and well-being for their spirit, mind and body.the y is for social responsibility, giving back and providing support to our neighbors. The y has been listening and responding to our communities' most critical needs for decades. Whether developing skills or emotional well-being, welcoming and connecting diverse populations or advocating for healthier communities, the y fosters the care and respect all people need and deserve. Through the y, thousands of volunteers, donors, leaders and partners are empowering millions of people, and the communities in which they live, to be healthy, confident, connected and secure. The y is proud to have collaborations and informal partnerships with many other organizations in the community. We know that when we work together, we move individuals, families and communities forward. The y has responded to society's most pressing needs by developing innovative, community based solutions and uniting people from all walks of life to participate in and work for positive social change. Every year, ymca of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties impacts thousands of individuals and families who rely on the y for crucial programs and services. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, ymca pathway and community impact programs open our doors at no charge to those in our community who need us the most. For the youngest members of the community, this means building new skills and self-confidence and creating a sense of belonging. Free 7th grade initiative provides 7th graders with a 12-month membership to encourage healthy habits at a time when youth are experiencing more independence. "safety around water" teaches life-saving safety around water skills to children ages three to five years old. Empower u strengthens self-esteem, positive relationships and overall health of teen girls in grades 7-10. We all wheel is a recreational wheelchair basketball program where abled and disabled children together develop camaraderie, team-building and wheelchair basketball skills. Ymca pathway and community impact programs also change the lives of adults in our community. Healthy horizons offers wellness and belonging to those recovering from a mental health diagnosis. Healthy lifestyles focuses on personal behavior modification and building healthy habits for those at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Thrive cancer wellness supports cancer survivors and their families with a 12-week program and membership focused on evidence-based practices for recovering from cancer treatment. Our veterans wellness program is a way to bring military veterans and their families together into the y to experience wellness programs while fostering supportive relationships. For more than a decade, ymca of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties has been feeding vulnerable children through a partnership with the nutritional development services archdiocese of philadelphia, providing multiple meals each day at several of our lower Bucks sites. These include pre-k counts' preschoolers, campers and school age children at the morrisville youth education center and in school age and 21st century bristol township learning centers. The ymca also provides snacks to children at all child care sites. Since the onset of the pandemic, the need to feed children is even greater and we can do more. According to united way of Bucks county, it is estimated there are 30,000 additional individuals who are now food insecure visiting the county's food banks. Y-usa reports nationally, the number of people hungry, particularly children, is at its highest in 25 years. In 2022, the y moved towards providing a more comprehensive food program by becoming a usda approved summer food service food program (sfsp) and applied to be a child and adult care food program (cacfp) organization. A number of programs are offered for individuals with special needs and abilities such as autism, post rehab and therapeutic recreational swimming, programs for developmentally delayed adults and special fitness programs for physically inactive adults, and more. One on one services, group programs and inclusion programs are offered to special needs individuals in the pool and on land. Group lessons emphasize learning new skills in a social environment. Program classes and activities are conducted by qualified and certified staff, all of whom have direct experience working with individuals of all abilities. A number of other programs offer support to groups of targeted populations. These included but are not limited to:empower u was designed by Young women, for Young women to enhance self-image through physical activity, healthy relationships and confidence building. Each session includes fitness center workouts, group exercise, samplers and interactive programming to promote self-development. This is a free program for teen girls in grades 9-12 which also includes a free, two month membership to the y.thrive is a 12 week cancer wellness program which includes group and personal training designed to improve strength, cardiovascular fitness and flexibility. The participants and their families also receive 12 weeks of membership. The diabetes prevention program is a community based lifestyle improvement program for adults with prediabetes. The purpose is to empower adults with lasting lifestyle changes that will improve their overall health and reduce their change of developing type 2 diabetes. The y offers a program for veterans who would like to return to a healthier lifestyle. The program includes access to the facility and guidance from y staff and trainers. Participants receive a free 6 month membership after successful completion of the program.healthy horizons is a donor supported pathway program, designed to support adults in the recovery process following mental health treatment. According to the world health organization, since the onset of covid-19, the prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased 25% worldwide. Ymca of Bucks county plays an important role in serving individuals through social-emotional and mental health support. In the free 12-week program, healthy horizons participants work on goal-setting while learning about exercise, eating well, meditation and mindfulness. The group meets at a branch for live, in-person fitness training, as well as on zoom for discussions. Graduates come away transformed, with the understanding that the y offers an accepting place they can belong.