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RemarKable improvement. Measurable results. The Y always believed that students would perform better in these revolutionary new learning TODAY environments. Now, we have the proof. At NorthLake Park Community School (NLP), the academic achievement gap between students of The Y is impacting education nationwide different socioeconomic backgrounds by setting a new standard for academic is getting smaller every day. NLP has been an A-rated school since achievement and high performance in the day doors opened. Free/reduced-lunch students at NLP 21st Century schools. score better in all FCAT subject areas than the Orange County School District average and the Florida average for students in the same category. Working in collaboration with day. The experiment exceeded studies because of the guidance educators, business leaders and everyone’s expectations, establishing they receive in our Teen Achievers On average, NLP students in all tested local governments, we are creating a new standard for education in our mentoring program. grade levels consistently score better better learning environments that community and beyond. in Math, Reading, Science and Writing close the academic achievement These efforts, together with the than their peers in the State and District. FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | FOR HEALTHY LIVING | FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY gap between our children. Building on the success at Lake Nona, efforts of Ys across the country, will we also established a new model change the face of education across All students at NLP score better in A lot of people said this couldn’t be for higher education at Brevard our nation. all FCAT subject areas than the Orange done. But we proved them wrong in Community College, which is co- County School District average and 1999, bringing together educators, located with the Cocoa YMCA. And the Florida average for students in the same category. business leaders and government now, we are getting ready to launch a agencies to create the co-located new school in Osceola, which will help NorthLake Park Community students who have fallen behind catch School and Lake Nona YMCA. up and graduate on time. In the years that followed, test The innovative learning scores went up. Parents developed And the Y’s impact on education environments developed by the Y stronger relationships with teachers extends well beyond the walls of the have proven to be successful in the and became more involved in their classroom. Every summer at Camp classroom and sustainable for their children’s education. The community Wewa, 3,000 elementary and middle communities. As others adopt our grew stronger and more connected. school children take part in activities approach, we will change the way And today, 1,000 children and that improve their health and well- our children learn for good. their families learn, connect, and being while making friendships that keep themselves healthy at the last a lifetime. And every year, 1,500 NorthLake Park Community School high school students embark on the / Lake Nona YMCA every single path to a college degree or trade 3 | 2010 ANNUAL REPOrt | YMCA OF CENtraL FLORIDA Swimming Pools and SO Much More Our deep passion for aquatics is on display every day at the YMCA Aquatic Center, home to some of the nation’s most exciting competitive swim meets and events – including the recent Olympic trials. Here, in these very waters, aspiring teens train with former Olympians as coaches. A few have even gone on TODAY to become Olympic-level champions themselves. The Y is spearheading programs that reduce child drowning and keep swimmers of all ages safer in the water. At the Y, we are committed Statistics show that Florida loses People who know how to swim still to safety. That’s why more children under age five to flock to our pools for one reason – to drowning than any other state. have fun! Swimmers with a competitive you’ll find a lifeguard streak can join swim teams, dive teams, at every single pool. The Y is working to turn those numbers or play water sports. Children can play FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | FOR HEALTHY LIVING | FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY around. Thanks to , the and splash beneath the summer sun in When our commitment to Safe Start Fitness for the Future water safety catches on innovative water safety program we outdoor pools that feature water slides, Swimming gets the heart pumping, the everywhere else, it will be developed in partnership with Dr. fountains and other fun features. And blood flowing and the muscles working Phillips Charities, more than 10,000 whether they are swimming laps or – plus it’s much easier on joints than a safer world for all of us children – some as young as six months taking a low-impact water fitness class, high impact exercise. As our population to swim in. – have learned life-saving techniques people get stronger and healthier with ages, working out in the water will that will keep them safer around the every stroke when they work out in the provide older men and women with an water for the rest of their lives. water at the Y. excellent fitness alternative. Between our swimming programs, pool aerobics, At the Y, we want to give everyone and other water fitness programs, our the opportunity to enjoy the water in members can stay active all their life at the Y. a healthy way. As “Central Florida’s By taking on the leading swim coach,” our swim lessons have cause of preventable helped thousands of children, teens and childhood death and injury, adults – many of whom would not have we are forging a safer world access to a pool without the Y – develop for future generations. the confidence and skills they need to swim safely. And safety is only the beginning. 5 | 2010 ANNUAL REPOrt | YMCA OF CENtraL FLORIDA Youth Sports: SO Much More Than A Game When it comes to youth sports in Central Florida, no one offers more opportunities, more teams and more fun than the Y. Every day 1,000 kids play their hearts out on our basketball courts and on our sports fields TODAY in a safe, nurturing environment. With the help of their caring volunteer Today, the Y is pioneering programs coaches, kids develop game skills and good sportsmanship, and the confidence that comes that foster learning and brain with giving something your all. development in preschool-age children. And with more than 40% of Americans projected to be obese by the year 2008, it’s The caring, nurturing environment we never been more important to help the kids of our community embrace exercise and discover provide is essential for getting the the fun side of an active lifestyle. learning process started. And when After School at the Y: Where The Learning Goes ON. kids start learning earlier, they achieve The key to early childhood development is keeping kids’ brains active and engaged. so much more later in life. Every second offers a new opportunity for a child to learn. Our groundbreaking Family Centers invaluable opportunity to take a break For children who are old enough for school, FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | FOR HEALTHY LIVING | FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY at the Walt Disney World Resort from their workday and participate in the Y continues to support brain development have obliterated the idea of the care and development of their own through our after school programs, which traditional “day care” and redefined children. we provide at 41 different sites for 2,600 early childhood development for the elementary school students and 1,500 next generation. Parents will find the same nurturing middle school students. That’s more environment at every Y of Central programs, serving more schools than any While many preschool programs Florida Child Development Center, where other Y in the country. provide nothing more than babysitting, children are always welcome – unlike ours immerses children in a dynamic, traditional fitness facilities. Today, all These programs provide students with a nurturing and culturally diverse families can find their second home productive learning environment in which they can study, participate in challenging activities environment. Surrounded by caring and together at the Y. and keep learning. And we owe it all to the highly qualified professionals, children unparalleled strength of our partnership with learn, interact, and participate in Orange County Public Schools. educational activities that stimulate At the Y, child development starts their growing minds. And since the Ys early and lasts long. As others are located on-site at our area’s largest follow our lead, more children are employer, working parents enjoy the assured a lifetime of good health and high achievement. 7 | 2010 ANNUAL REPOrt | YMCA OF CENtraL FLORIDA Every day, 25,000 people count Strengthening The Communities That on the Y for the programs they Need US Most need to stay healthy and active. Some organizations shy away from serving economically challenged communities. Not the Y. After all, we exist to strengthen communities. All communities. Especially the ones that need us most. That’s why we established 11 outreach Y’s in the most economically challenged TODAY communities of Central Florida. We believe that the men, women and children in these communities deserve the same access to The Y is proactively preventing disease in our resources. They deserve a place to gather safely as a community. They deserve the opportunity to get healthy as a family. our communities by providing every man, They deserve programs that will help them prevent disease and stay healthy for woman and child in every Central Florida a lifetime. community with access to the programs These communities deserve a Y to call their own. So we invest $10.2 million into these Y’s every year to keep the doors open they need to stay healthy and connected to everyone that needs us.

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