2015 Annual Report | the GRANITE YMCA BUILD with US a LETTER from OUR PRESIDENT & CEO Dear Members of the Granite YMCA
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GROW. THRIVE. TRANSFORM. 2015 Annual Report | THE GRANITE YMCA BUILD WITH US A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO Dear Members of The Granite YMCA, Two years ago, The Granite YMCA trustees and staff approved a new strategic plan with a vision to build a stronger, healthier and more harmonious community through new programs to be offered at all of our branches. Our belief was that by focusing on developing healthy children of strong character, strengthening families and building leadership around social responsibility, that the YMCA could be a major force in changing the fabric of our community. These were lofty goals but I’m pleased to report that we have done just that and it is exciting to see. As of this report, we are on our third launch of our character development programs for youth having rolled out this initiative in all of our camps, child care programs and aquatics. This has involved over 3,000 youth who are taught, mentored and recognized for displaying outstanding character. They receive awards as “character rock stars” and it is really fantastic to see our children embrace becoming role models of outstanding character. Our staff has been trained in a new program called “Courage to Care,” an anti-bullying curriculum for teens which asks them to step up when bullying occurs and be an advocate of caring, empathy and respect of others. This is part of a major initiative to provide safe and enriching opportunities for teens. We are building two new Centers for Youth and Teen Leadership this year in Manchester and Goffstown as a part of our current $3.1 million dollar capital campaign. This, along with expansions at our day and resident camps, will serve thousands of youth. It’s been a really exciting year for promoting healthy lifestyles. We have received major grants in excess of $100,000 to expand our LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program for cancer survivors, the MoveWell Today Diabetes Prevention Program and Prescribe the Y to support chronically obese youth. By the end of next year, these programs will be running at our five facility branches. Serving families continues to be a central focus by providing child care for over 1,600 kids each day in our YMCA child care programs. Special events such as Healthy Kids Day, Brunch with Santa, halloween parties and family summer camp events are very popular. Families represent over half of our YMCA memberships. More financial aid is given to families each year to ensure we include all of our community members. This year over 19,000 individuals received financial aid or free services. As one of New Hampshire’s longest standing and most enduring non profits, the Y is growing, thriving and making a positive difference in the lives of our youth, families and communities. Our five facility branches and two resident camps are all doing well and meeting our mission to build a healthy spirit, mind and body. Thanks so much to all of our donors, volunteers and staff who keep our vision alive to build community through The Granite YMCA. 2015 Annual Report | The Granite YMCA | 3 With a presence in neighborhoods across the state, we help people of all ages and from all walks of life to learn, grow and thrive by developing the skills and relationships they need to be healthy, confident, and connected to others. OUR MISSION AT THE GRANITE YMCA IS TO CREATE A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME AND BUILD A HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY BASED ON THE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. GAINING After school care is a cornerstone program of CONFIDENCE our Y that gives children a secure, supportive environment to develop academic and interpersonal skills. Healthy snacks, CATCH physical and nutrition activities, and an enriching YMCA START is an Achievement Gap after school program serving 125 low-income students from curriculum help keep kids happy, healthy and Henry Wilson and Beech Street Schools in Manchester, NH. The curriculum includes 2.5 hours daily of active. Offered at 23 sites statewide, the academic tutoring, physical fitness, 21st century skills, nutrition, art education, community building, program served more than 1,600 children each and teamwork. 82% of our participants speak a language other than English at home, so START helps day last year. families who need support understanding American culture and schools. Last year, 100% of START Enroll your child today! For more information, students improved at least two reading levels, achieved a 94% attendance rate and 75% of START visit www.graniteymca.org/childcare. students were recognized as citizens of the month by their schools. Camp provides memories that last a lifetime. At the Y, we believe that every new experience is a chance for every child to learn and grow. That is why, every day, we give kids the opportunity to test their limits and explore their potential. Every summer, our camps are home to thousands of kids exploring healthy fun and adventure, growing personally, and making friends. Camp scholarships ensure all kids have the opportunity to experience summer the way kids should. “Camp Foss has played an important role in growing my leadership skills. I can’t thank the counselors enough for the amazing experience. The time I’ve spent at Camp Foss was the time of my life. I made so many great friends that I still stay in touch with. My counselors were true role models. I only hope that someday I can become a counselor and make as much of a difference in other campers lives as they did for me.” – D. Damsell | Exeter, NH 6 | www.graniteymca.org LEARNING LEADERSHIP The Leader and Counselor in Training programs at our six YMCA camps introduce teens to the skills needed to become leaders. These programs introduce teens to the Y leadership philosophy, effective communication, team building, and behavior management techniques through role playing in a camp setting. Leaders in Training is designed to teach teens what it takes to be a good role model for other campers. This program serves as both a great stepping stone to the Counselor in Training program and as a great leadership experience. The Counselor in Training program includes workshop trainings in The Teen Center at the YMCA of Downtown areas of personal development, decision making techniques, group work skills, and program leadership. Manchester is a FREE educational and activity- based program that offers fun and engaging ways for kids to build friendships and awareness of social responsibility in a supervised environment. Teen Leaders Club is a nationally recognized YMCA teen program that provides participants with It is open to Y teen members and non-members opportunities for leadership training, personal growth, service to others and social development. Teens ages 11-16 years old who are in at least middle meet on a weekly basis in small groups, working closely with their peers and adult advisors on skill school. Activities include daily tutoring and and character-building activities, as well as planning and organizing projects. The program emphasizes homework help, ping pong, foosball, movies, gym educational success, community service and leadership development. Leaders Club helps teens ages 12- games, swimming, video games, computer, and 18 find the leader within. board games. Last year, over 1,100 students were involved in the Teen Center. “I cannot express to you what a gift Camp Mi-Te-Na turned out to be for my son. He thrived and loved every minute of the experience. I truly believe that this was a life changing event for him. He is a teenage boy trying to decide who he wants Help support the Teen Center by donating supplies to be, and camp helped him put some of his choices in perspective. Working with boys this age can be difficult. My son from their Wish List http://www.graniteymca.org/ was able to find friends his age that were enthusiastic about all kinds of different interests. He has accumulated quite a index.php?page=support-donate at few sports trophies over the years, but the item he is most proud of is the “crescent” medal he earned for waterfront. He explained that it was more than just being good at something, but it was about how he treated everyone, his peers and counselors. I sent you a boy and got back a young man that is on his way to become a tremendous leader that I am very proud of. ” – C. McCarry, Scituate, MA 8 | www.graniteymca.org 2015 Annual Report | The Granite YMCA | 9 LEARNING STAY is Manchester’s only program for at-risk middle school students. Students learn time- LEADERSHIP management, educational, and decision-making skills and develop positive social interactions and relationships. Last year, 83% of STAY students improved attendance from the prior school year and 79% improved their GPA from Volunteer Ric Freeman is a firm believer in second chances. Years ago in middle school, he struggled the previous school year. with his grades, was bullied and battled low self-esteem. “We lived in a tough neighborhood and didn’t have much. I had a learning disability and things at school were not good at all,” he recalled. “Simply put, I was in a very tough spot and needed help.” Enter The Granite YMCA and its STAY Program. The only program in Manchester for at-risk middle school students, STAY helps students build social, time-management, educational, and decision-making skills. Through adventure and educational trips, students learn to challenge themselves and build the confidence they need to make changes in their lives. Ric was enrolled in STAY and the turnaround began.