YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF PALESTINE TEXAS
5500 N Loop 256, Palestine, TX 75801 palestineymca.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: The YMCA of Palestine Texas is a volunteer led, charitable, community service organization that includes men, women, and children of all ages, abilities, incomes, races and religions. The organization weaves its mission statement "to put Christian principles such as caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all" into every aspect of its existence. In light of our mission statement, we endeavor to promote the development of human potential through functions and programs which offer health and wellness awareness, diverse social enrichment, good citizenship and community and family participation. We strive to be a strategic partner to churches, schools, municipalities, social service agencies, and other non-profits in their community service projects. To always be called upon first as a willing partner or collaborator in the planning stages of these projects is our goal.

To put Christian principles such as caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Health and Wellness for Youth and Adults Helping people of all ages and abilities develop a three-fold health program; spirit, mind and body, is at the core of the YMCA movement. 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 are continually changing and improving our programs to maintain interest and participation. We partner with area doctors and hospitals to offer diabetes awareness classes. Partnering with local community service organizations and area hospitals and doctors such as; Champions for Children, the Anderson County Sheriff's Dept., Palestine Regional Medical Center, the Palestine Fire Dept., Shots Across Texas, Kolander Physical Therapy, Texas Poison Control Network, Palestine Police Department., Anderson County EMS, ACCESS, Crises Center of Anderson County, WIC, and Texas DPS, we provide "Healthy Kids Day" annually to educate both children and adults on health and safety issues. By partnering with these educated and concerned organizations, we offer this to the public free of charge. In light of the rising obesity rates in this country, our YMCA participates in the "Activate America" initiative and engages in a variety of events and community activities designed to help the "at risk population" develop habits and relationships that lead to more active lifestyles. Sports programs for youth, families and adults promote teamwork, interaction and development of social and physicals skills. Our swim programs give adults and children time in the pool to appreciate one another and promote intergenerational relationships. Water Aerobics and swim exercises are made available to the community at large and are often an alternative to impact exercises allowing less mobile individuals to maintain healthy lifestyles. Our "Pacers" class is an exercise program that keeps seniors active and flexible. We have partnered with "Silver Sneakers" which is a program for seniors. Believing in preventative healthcare, some insurance companies are paying for their senior clients to remain active. This has taken a financial burden off those with fixed incomes. Our seniors also spend much of their day here in an intergenerational social environment, which provides for wellness in spirit and mind. Our services are offered at affordable fees for the community at large, with reasonable accommodations for those with special needs. Once again, by partnering with caring individuals in the community, we have frozen our membership rates and have had no increases for over ten years although expenses have ever increased. We also offer thousands of dollars in scholarship funds to these programs.

CHILD CARE OUR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS OFFER HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FROM ALL SEGMENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. AS A STATE LICENSED FACILITY, WE OFFER A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOUTH CAN DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM, GOOD VALUES AND AN APPRECIATION OF CHARITABLE SERVICE. ALTHOUGH DEVELOPING EYE-HAND COORDINATION, COGNITIVE REASONING, AND SCHOOL READINESS IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF ALL OUR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS; JUST AS IMPORTANT IS THE TEACHING, TRAINING AND MODELING OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY. OUR DESIRE IS TO HELP DEVELOP GOOD CITIZENS, NOT CONSUMERS. MANY FAMILIES, CAUGHT IN THE ECONOMY CRUNCH, ARE CHOOSING ALTERNATIVE CHILD CARE; OFTEN AN OLDER SIBLING KEEPING YOUNGER ONES OR PRIMARY AGES STAYING AT HOME ALONE. WE ARE COMBATING THAT UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT BY FREEZING INCREASES IN PROGRAM COSTS ALTHOUGH EXPENSES HAVE STEADILY INCREASED. PARTNERING WITH UNITED WAY AND A MYRIAD OF CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS, WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER AFFORDABLE CARE WITHOUT COMPROMISE. WE HAVE ALSO ALLOTTED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO THESE PROGRAMS.

Youth Development Programs "Tomorrow's future" stimulates the YMCA to produce programs for our youth and teens that models and develops good values; cooperation, respect, good citizenship, and a strong work ethic along with a good self-esteem. We have developed a "youth wellness" program which when completed allows youth to use the equipment on the wellness floor. The program teaches muscle structure and proper usage of equipment for health and safety but just as important; youth are trained in respect, gratitude, and selflessness. We annually host the Regional Special Olympics swim meet in which our teens are encouraged to volunteer to develop a sense of community service. They are also given opportunities to volunteer in "Healthy Kids Day" activities, Easter Egg Hunt, and our "Fourth of July" celebration. Partnering with the East Texas Food Bank and the Texas Workforce Commission, we provide lunches throughout the summer to the city youth. This program not only helps to make sure youth have a nutritious meal while lifting a financial burden from families but is utilized as a youth training program for community service and outreach. Our Youth and Government programs expose young people to civic leaders and help them develop an understanding and appreciation of civic involvement. By training them with the same mission: to be caring, honest, respectful and responsible in the writing of bills, passing of laws, and cognizance of the responsibility to the general public, we hope to develop outstanding leaders of tomorrow. Partnering with the Palestine Junior Service League, we make scholarships available for the fee-based programs, so a young person's economic circumstances are not a barrier to participation.

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