YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF GREATER ERIE
Programs
Early Learning and School-Age Enrichment
EARLY LEARNING & SCHOOL-AGE ENRICHMENT Our YMCA believes that all kids have potential. We cultivate the values and skills that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. Woven into the fabric of the YMCA mission is a commitment to strengthening families. YMCA child care programs relieve the burden of balancing work and families and make it more possible for parents of children in our care to remain gainfully employed, knowing their children are thriving in a safe, developmentally sound environment that offers a range of experiences that enrich social-emotional, cognitive and physical growth. During remote school sessions, the Y provided the technical support & environment for students to interact with their teachers and complete their remote assignments. Expenses include subsidies and reduced fees that make participation possible for more than 60% of the children we engage. Our YMCA provides reduced fees for child care services. In 2024, $57,555 provided scholarships to 74 children to defray their fees this year, and continue to accept children through the state subsidy program. We participated in the Pennsylvania tax credit program (Pre-K EITC) that allows businesses to receive tax credits for contributing over $26,000 to pre-kindergarten education programs. Last year, over 1,275 participants were served in licensed child care. We also provide free family fun events to promote healthy family interactions and enrich relationships between parents and children enrolled in our program. Our high-quality licensed child care promotes educational, emotional, physical, and social growth for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children from diverse backgrounds. We participate in the Keystone STARS Quality Initiative at all 13 licensed child care locations. The YMCA continues to be a leader in early care and education. PRE-K COUNTS Our Y is committed to providing educational equity to those most at risk for success. The YMCA of Greater Erie partnered with the State of Pennsylvania to offer free preschool to low-income children through the State's Pre-K Counts program. Pre-K Counts is an initiative created to build and strengthen pre-kindergarten partnerships in communities so that each community can create a self-sustaining system for providing high-quality early learning experiences to children in all settings. This program sponsored over 160 children in 2024. SUMMER CAMP The YMCA delivered summer camp programming for over 440 children that combined educational enrichment, physical activity, and character development for children ages 5-12. Camps featured on-site field trips, arts, STEM, games, and social-emotional learning. Scholarships were awarded to ensure all children, regardless of income, could attend. Programs reduced summer learning loss and improved child wellness. COMMUNITY SCHOOL The YMCA of Greater Erie is the lead non-profit partner at Harding Elementary School providing on-site support to students, families, and faculty. COMMUNITY RECREATION In collaboration with the City of Erie and the Housing Authority, the YMCA served over 540 youth (ages 6-18) through free recreation, mentoring, and educational enrichment programs. Programs included Summer Parks & Rec, and year-round Kids Clubs for youth in low-income housing. Activities included sports, art, theater, and health education, with meals and snacks provided.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$10.1MHealth and Well-Being Programs
HEALTH & WELL-BEING Our Y is committed to improving the health of our community. We strive to bring families closer together, encourage good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, thousands of people in our community are receiving the support, guidance, and resources they need to achieve greater health in spirit, mind, and body. Our programs are designed to help people create realistic goals for self-improvement and emphasize disease prevention through regular exercise, proper nutrition, stress management, and health education. We collaborate with other agencies to provide programs structured specifically for our Active Older Adults, including land and water exercise, as well as an opportunity for social interaction. Virtual YMCA reaches Y and community members with online classes, workshops, and programs designed to give the viewer additional points of access to the Y and health and wellness resources. In addition, the Y created a Community Wellness Resources page within our website to give online users access to health information, family activities, and more. Our aquatic programs start developing physical skills in infancy through parent/child swim class and continue up through our Arthritis aquatics class for seniors; our family swim program gives adults and children shared time in the pool to appreciate one another and promote intergenerational relationships. Through holistic health programs, the Y offers several natural healing therapeutic services in our menu of community programs including energy healing, reiki, qigong, pre/postnatal yoga, and a community education series tackling topics related to posture, herbs, acupuncture, chronic pain, and others. Many of these programs are adapted for youth and family audiences throughout the year. Our Y continues to emphasize serving populations with special needs including adaptive swimming lessons, movement and strength building classes for youth and adults, support groups for those living with chronic illness, and youth recreation programs/day camp/afterschool experiences for those in the autism spectrum. The Y's chronic disease prevention programs expanded in 2024 to include diabetes prevention, fall prevention, smoking cessation and high blood pressure self-monitoring. Funding received from the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance program provided the resources necessary to fully subsidize program costs for those who were income and health eligible. COMMUNITY OUTREACH The Y operated the Rodger Young Community Pool in collaboration with the City of Erie and the Erie Housing Authority, enrolling more than 330 children, various groups serving children aged 6-18 and teach Safety Around Water.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$3.8MCommunity Support and Outreach
VOLUNTEERS In 2024 We had almost 300 volunteers generate over 4,600 hours of volunteer service to the Y and other local nonprofits, totaling more than $61,000. We have been called on by peer Ys and other nonprofits to help them in their volunteer program evolution and are looked to by local nonprofits as an expert in volunteer management. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE YMCA programs are offered at affordable fees for the community at large, with reasonable accommodations for those with special needs, and with financial assistance available for those who cannot afford the full fee. The YMCA provided more than $395,000 in financial assistance and community outreach programs for more than 10,000 children, teens, families, and seniors to help them live happier, healthier lives. MEALS FOR KIDS The YMCA of Greater Erie provides 12,000 free summer meals to kids in partnership with community sites throughout Erie County. Meals are offered in partnership with local school districts, community centers, and churches - in identified underserved neighborhoods. Meals adhere to nutrition standards outlined in Y-USA's Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Standards. Freshly prepared meals directly into identified food deserts through partnerships with other local organizations. In addition, we provide healthy snacks and meals to all children in our licensed childcare program and at-risk programs during the school year. 66% of the children we serve are at 185% of poverty or below. We have adopted, along with Y-USA, HEPA (healthy eating and physical activity) standards at all locations. In 2024, the Y served more than 280,000 healthy meals and snacks which introduced new foods and influenced food choice and education. ERIE COUNTY RE-ENTRY ALLIANCE In partnership with UnifiedErie, the Erie County Re-Entry Services adn Support Alliance team and local, state, and federal law enforcement, the YMCA of Greater Erie provides re-entry services for those convicts that are re-entering civilian life. These services include securing employment, housing, and mental/physical health. TEEN CENTER The YMCA Teen Center is a youth development program that focuses on providing year-round activities for low-income youth 12-18 years of age. The program's goal is to develop teens into contributing adult members of the Erie community. Programs concentrate on character development, societal issues, academics, arts/self-expression, career exploration, and post-secondary readiness. These activities promote healthy behaviors that are linked to success in the areas of education, employment, and health. In 2024, more than 230 teens were empowered to reach their full potential through mentorship, creative expression, academic enrichment, and conflict resolution.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1.3M
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