YWCA Cortland

Child Care Services: THE PROGRAM INCLUDES SUMMER CAMP, SCHOOL AGE CARE AND HERE WE GROW CHILD CARE CENTER, PROVIDING CARE TO CHILDREN 6 WEEKS - 14 YEARS. THE SUMMER CAMP PROVIDED CARE FOR 147 CHILDREN. THE SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM, LOCATED IN CORTLAND, HOMER & MCGRAW SCHOOLS CARED FOR 147 CHILDREN. HERE WE GROW CARED FOR 51 CHILDREN. DROP-IN AND LEARNING ADVENTURE REMAINS DISCONTINUED THE YWCA AEI GRANT CONTINUES TO COLLABORATE WITH CAPCO TO PROVIDE TEACHING CREDENTIALS TO HELP WITH STAFF RECRUITMENT AS CHILD CARE STAFFING SHORTAGES REMAIN. WE STILL HAVE A YEARLY CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE DAYCARE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND THE CORTLAND SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE UNIVERSAL PRE-K. THE SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO HAVE LESS CHILDREN IN THE CORTLAND SCHOOLS DUE TO SPACE ISSUES WITHIN THE SCHOOLS.

Health Promotion Service, Health & Physical Fitness Programs: Health and Fitness programs include specialized fitness classes for seniors. Silver Sneakers classic and Silver Sneakers Stability gets a regular attendance of 20 or more students. Other fitness classes include Cardio Pump, kickboxing, yoga, and BOSU (Balanced & Strong). The YWCA has a Co-ed and Womens only weight room. We have personal trainers and a certified nutritionist available for one-on-one meetings and nutrition classes. The YWCA offers a Personal Safety Self Defense class. Gym and Recreation classes include pickleball, gymnastic classes for ages 1-12, and basketball classes. Innovative and creative staff have added wellness classes like meditation and a womens only meditation retreat. The aquatic program offers a variety of water exercise classes including a range of movement class which follow the Arthritis Foundation guidelines. Swimming lessons are for children from 6 months to 12 years. Private Swim lessons bring in all ages from preschool to seniors. The Racker Center and JM Murray Center have a corporate membership for open swim, gym, and exercise classes. This year the Health and Fitness Department kicked off their Social Seniors group. Social Seniors meets on Wednesday for cards and games. Every first Wednesday there is a luncheon and a speaker.

Aid to Victims of Violence, Advocacy and Support PROVIDES CRISIS INTERVENTION AND STABILIZATION SERVICES TO ADULT AND CHILD VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. OF NOTE ARE THE THREE INITIATIVES TO EXPAND AND ENRICH SERVICES TO VICTIMS: 1) THE AVV-CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES COLLABORATION, WHICH ADDS AN AVV ADVOCATE STAFF TO THE CPS TEAM INVESTIGATING CASES; 2) THE INTEGRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT, WHICH BUNDLES ALL MATTERS INVOLVING FAMILIES INTO ONE CASE, HEARD BY ONE JUDGE; 3) THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER, WHICH COORDINATES ALL OF THE RESPONSE AND SUPPORT SERVICES THAT COME INTO PLAY WHEN A CHILD HAS BEEN ABUSED. IN 2022, THE YWCA ADDED A SUPPORTIVE APARTMENT PROGRAM. THIS OFFERS 25 ONE AND TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS FOR WOMEN & THEIR CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN DV VICTIMS IN THE PAST. THE PROGRAM HEALPS VICTIMS MOVE BEYOND THE TRAUMA/EMERGENCY STAGE TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF INDEPENDENT LIVING IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.