Walla Walla YMCA

In keeping with its commitment to youth development, the Walla Walla Ymca is the largest onsite, licensed, non-school based provider of childcare in the Walla Walla valley. In 2022, the y opened two onsite toddler (ages 1-3) programs; one each in Walla Walla, wa and milton-freewater, or in response to community need. Both programs are part of the y's learning centers in each community where the y also provides preschool stem and social-emotional curriculum and afterschool enrichment programming for children ages 3-12. In Walla Walla, the childcare center has 115 licensed slots and milton-freewater has 165 slots. Both programs operate throughout the school year with the exception of toddler care which operates year-round. As licensed programs, eligible families may qualify for state-funded childcare fee offset. Additionally, in Walla Walla the center provides fee assistance to military families through childcare aware's military childcare in your neighborhood (mccyn); Washington is one of a small number of states that currently offer this program.

In 2022, over 400 youth ages 3-12 were served by the y in its multi-weeklong summer stem, enrichment and sports camps held in Walla Walla, milton-freewater and athena, or. Summer programs help bridge the achievement gaps for marginalized youth in economically disadvantaged communities such as those served by the y. They teach self-confidence, teamwork and leadership skills as kids grow, connect, and thrive.

The y is committed to drowning prevention both through swimming lessons and lifeguard training. In 2022, 1056 children learned to swim in y-sponsored and led drowning prevention and learn-to-swim programs. This included elementary school children from area rural communities whose schools partnered with the y to transport school children to the y's indoor pool for swim lessons during the school year, as well as free lessons provided by the y at two rural community pools, in milton-freewater, or and prescott, wa made possible through y-received grants and community pool partnerships. Additionally, in 2022 the y partnered with blue mountain community college (or) and the milton-freewater school district (or) to provide american red cross 1st aid/cpr and lifeguard training to high school students in milton-freewater. This workforce development program, supported by a grant, made it possible for students who completed the course to receive college credit and summer employment at the milton-freewater pool.

2022 was a year of expanded youth afterschool programs. The y operated afterschool enrichment programs in Walla Walla and for the first time in weston, or, serving an average of 35 students per week. Additionally, over 600 children took part in y sports programs and camps, including karate, basketball, soccer, rock climbing, rock climbing and pe.

All other program services.