YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
40 NORTH MERRIMON AVE STE 309, ASHEVILLE, NC 28804 www.ymcawnc.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: OUR MISSION IS TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY FOR ALL. THE YMCA IS A PLACE OF WELCOME AND BELONGING. WE EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, IMPROVE INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, AND GIVE BACK AND INSPIRE ACTION IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THE YMCA WELCOMES ALL. WE SERVE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, SIZES, COLORS, GENDERS, BELIEFS, ABILITIES, AND INCOMES.

DURING FISCAL YEAR 2020, IN AN EFFORT TO SERVE EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY, THE YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIZED SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN YMCA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE MOST IMPORTANT MEASURE OF THE YMCA IS THE IMPACT IS HAS ON THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. TOGETHER, THESE DIVERSE GROUPS FIND A PLACE OF WELCOMING AND BELONGING AT THE YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH IS COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH OUR EIGHT CENTERS, MORE THAN 30 CHILD CARE SITES, AND PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, THE YMCA HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS. THE ORGANIZATION PUBLISHES A LIST ON ITS WEBSITE THAT DESCRIBES ITS CHARITABLE WORK, WHICH SUPPORTS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. BELOW ARE PROGRAMS THAT MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THOSE THREE AREAS OF IMPACT. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - HORIZONS HORIZONS IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FREE AFTERSCHOOL SERVICES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS. IT EMPHASIZES ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT BY INCLUDING ONE HOUR OF DAILY MATH/LITERACY TUTORING AND HOMEWORK-HELP LED BY CERTIFIED TEACHERS. - AFTERSCHOOL CHILD CARE OUR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS PROVIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BUNCOMBE, HENDERSON, AND MCDOWELL COUNTIES WITH DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES THAT OFFER A COMBINATION OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ACTIVITIES BASED ON WEEKLY THEMES AND LESSON PLANS. THESE PROGRAMS INCORPORATE THE NATIONAL HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (HEPA) STANDARDS, INCREASING THE PHYSICAL WELL-BEING OF PARTICIPANTS AND PROMOTING HEALTH-PROMOTING BEHAVIORS. - EARLY LEARNING READINESS (ELR) THE YMCA'S EARLY LEARNING READINESS PROGRAM IS A FREE RESEARCH-BASED COMMUNITY PROGRAM THAT GIVES CHILDREN AGES 0 TO 5 YEARS HIGH-QUALITY PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND COGNITIVE EXPERIENCES. CAREGIVERS ARE GIVEN THE CONFIDENCE, TOOLS, AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BE THEIR CHILDREN'S FIRST TEACHER, ENSURING THAT KIDS START KINDERGARTEN READY TO LEARN. - SUMMER DAY CAMP AT SUMMER DAY CAMP, CHILDREN AGES 5-15 HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, LEARN NEW SKILLS, AND EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND THEM. THE Y OFFERS A VARIETY OF CAMPS TO FIT THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. - SUMMER DISCOVERY SUMMER DISCOVERY IS A FREE SEVEN-WEEK SUMMER LEARNING-LOSS PREVENTION PROGRAM TARGETING ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH. STUDENTS RECEIVE ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOCUSED ON STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATH), LITERACY, ARTS, AND CULTURE, AND ENRICHING RECREATION, ALL OF WHICH ALIGN WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA COMMON CORE AND ESSENTIAL STANDARDS. - YMCA CAMP WATIA YMCA CAMP WATIA IS AN AFFORDABLE OVERNIGHT CAMP FOR ALL CHILDREN IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, REGARDLESS OF FAMILY INCOME. IT IS MADE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL FAMILIES THROUGH COMPARATIVELY LOW COSTS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. - LEADERS CLUB THE LEADERS CLUB PROMOTES YOUNG LEADERS THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM, ADVOCACY, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. TEENS IN GRADES 9-12 RECEIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SERVICE TO OTHERS. - YOUTH & GOVERNMENT YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT IS A NATIONAL DEBATE PROGRAM WITH 55,000 PARTICIPANTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND 1,300 IN NORTH CAROLINA. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, STUDENTS PREPARE TO BE A LEGISLATOR IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OR SENATE, AN ATTORNEY OR JUSTICE IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT, OR ANY NUMBER OF OTHER POSITIONS. EACH FEBRUARY, STUDENTS FROM ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA COME TOGETHER IN RALEIGH TO FORM A NEW STATE GOVERNMENT WHERE PARTICIPANTS CAN CREATE THE CHANGES THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT. HEALTHY LIVING - AQUATICS PROGRAMS THE Y OFFERS LESSONS FOR SWIMMERS OF ALL LEVELS AND AGES, INCLUDING FUN, EDUCATIONAL CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 MONTHS THROUGH 12 YEARS. WE ALSO OFFER SAFETY AROUND WATER, A FOUR-TO-EIGHT LESSON SCHOLARSHIP-BASED PROGRAM THAT TEACHES CHILDREN HOW TO BE SAFE IN AND NEAR BODIES OF WATER, AS WELL AS SOME BASIC SWIM SKILLS. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE THE PIRANHAS, A YEAR-ROUND COMPETITIVE SWIM TEAM FOR SWIMMERS AGES 6-18. - YOUTH SPORTS YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS HONOR THE CORE Y VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE A QUALITY EXPERIENCE FOR PLAYERS, COACHES, AND FAMILIES, AND WE PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF EACH ATHLETE TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL THROUGH SKILL REFINEMENT, TEAMWORK, AND SPORTSMANSHIP. WE SERVE YOUTH AGES 3-16. COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS - ENHANCEFITNESS ENHANCE FITNESS IS A FITNESS AND ARTHRITIS MANAGEMENT CLASS FOR SENIORS. PARTICIPANTS IN THE 16-WEEK PROGRAM MEET THREE TIMES A WEEK FOR ONE HOUR. EACH CLASS IS TAUGHT BY A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR AND FOCUSES ON CARDIOVASCULAR ENDURANCE, STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, AND BALANCE. EXERCISING WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE ADDS A FUN, SOCIAL ELEMENT AND KEEPS MOTIVATION HIGH. - NUTRITION PROGRAMS ACCESS TO FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD IS A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH THAT CAN AFFECT PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO THRIVE. THE Y IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING ACCESS FOR THE MORE THAN 13% OF NORTH CAROLINA ADULTS AND 21% OF CHILDREN WHO SUFFER FROM FOOD INSECURITY. WE DO THIS BY DISTRIBUTING FRESH PRODUCE AT NO CHARGE, WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED, AND BY OFFERING PRACTICAL, COST-EFFECTIVE COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS AND NUTRITION EDUCATION. WE HOLD MONTHLY PRODUCE MARKETS IN BUNCOMBE, HAYWOOD, HENDERSON, MADISON, AND MCDOWELL COUNTIES. THE NUTRITION OUTREACH HUB IN THE ASHEVILLE YMCA IS A CENTRAL LOCATION TO RECEIVE, SORT, AND STORE DONATED FOOD BEFORE DISTRIBUTING IT AT MOBILE MARKETS. THE YMCA NUTRITION TEAM ALSO MANAGES MULTIPLE AFTERSCHOOL MEAL SITES AND SUMMER MEALS SITES IN BUNCOMBE, HENDERSON, AND MCDOWELL COUNTIES. WE ALSO OFFER FREE SATURDAY MEALS AT THE YMCAS IN CANDLER AND MARION. - LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA IS A FREE 12-WEEK, EVIDENCE-BASED, SMALL-GROUP PROGRAM FOR ADULT CANCER SURVIVORS WHO HAVE BECOME DECONDITIONED OR CHRONICALLY FATIGUED FROM THEIR DISEASE OR TREATMENT. GOALS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE BUILDING MUSCLE MASS AND STRENGTH, INCREASING FLEXIBILITY AND ENDURANCE, AND IMPROVING FUNCTIONAL ABILITY. - MOVING FOR BETTER BALANCE MOVING FOR BETTER BALANCE IS A 12-WEEK, 24-SESSION, EVIDENCE-BASED FALLS PREVENTION PROGRAM. IT USES THE PRINCIPLES AND MOVEMENTS OF TAI CHI TO HELP OLDER ADULTS IMPROVE THEIR BALANCE AND INCREASE THEIR CONFIDENCE IN DOING EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES. - DIABETES MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION TAKING CONTROL OF TYPE 2 IS A ONE-YEAR PROGRAM TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES AND LESSEN THEIR RISK OF DEVELOPING COMPLICATIONS. IT FOCUSES ON LIFESTYLE CHANGES AND USES EDUCATION TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT TYPE 2 DIABETES, INCREASE PARTICIPANT EXERCISE LEVELS TO 150 MINUTES PER WEEK, AND DECREASE PARTICIPANT'S A1C LEVELS (AVERAGE OF BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS USED TO DIAGNOSE TYPE 2 DIABETES). OUR DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM IS A YEAR-LONG, COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM FOR OVERWEIGHT ADULTS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING TYPE 2 DIABETES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS TO WORK TOGETHER IN A SMALL GROUP TO LEARN ABOUT EATING BETTER AND INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, BOTH OF WHICH HELP REDUCE THE RISK FOR DEVELOPING DIABETES. IN 2019 WE STARTED A MINORITY DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM TO BETTER SERVE THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WE OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR YMCA PROGRAMS AND MEMBERSHIPS ON A CASE- BY-CASE BASIS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEM. - DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION THE YMCA OF WNC IS DEDICATED TO WELCOMING ALL. WE ARE A PART OF THE YMCA OF THE USA'S DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND GLOBAL (DIG) INNOVATION NETWORK, A COHORT OF YS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN FAST-GROWING AREAS THAT ARE LEADING THE Y MOVEMENT'S EFFORTS IN OUTREACH TO DIVERSE AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND DRIVING PROGRAM INNOVATION SO THAT EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY ARE OR WHERE THEY COME FROM HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. LOCALLY, WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE WNC DIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT COALITION, A NETWORK OF ORGANIZATIONS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE. WE OFFER CULTURAL LENSES AND DIMENSIONS OF DIVERSITY TRAINING TO STAFF, ALONG WITH QUARTERLY WORKSHOPS. INCLUSION TRAINING IS PART OF THE ORIENTATION PROCESS FOR DAY AND OVERNIGHT CAMP STAFF. OUR EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS FOR LGBTQ AND MULTICULTURAL STAFF PROVIDE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, CAREER AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, NETWORKING, TRAINING, AND MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES.

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