WHO WE ARE

The Hampshire Regional YMCA has been providing wellness and family services to our community since 1880, with a focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. From athletics to education, wellness services to safe spaces, the Y helps to strengthen the health of our community. Since it’s inception, the Hampshire Regional YMCA has provided valuable resources to nurture the potential of individuals, families and the entire community.

INVESTING IN OUR HEALTH AND OUR COMMUNITY

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Strong communities don’t just happen; they’re the result of dedicated leadership and stewardship of our mission and core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. In partnership with our donors, the Hampshire Regional YMCA delivers programs that improve overall health, prevent chronic disease onset, combat social isolation and promote youth development. It is critical to our mission to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to thrive. We are proud to share our 2018 results.

HAMPSHIRE REGIONAL YMCA’S AREAS OF FOCUS AND IMPACT IN 2018

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: NURTURING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD AND TEEN

We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That’s why, through the Y, millions of youth today are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement. In 2018, over 3,600 youth and teens were members and program participants at our YMCA.

SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE

The Hampshire Regional YMCA is committed to preparing children to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow through programs that develop the individual, strengthen the family, and build safe, caring communities. The Hampshire Regional YMCA School Age Child Care program is a vital resource that helps to build positive relationships and communication between children and parents. In 2018, The Hampshire Regional YMCA provided school-age education services at three sites in Northampton, where 223 children were positively impacted.

SUMMER ENRICHMENT AND CAMP PROGRAMS

Our three summer day camps, Camp Koala and Gymnastics Camp at our YMCA facility and Camp Norwich, in Huntington, MA, help to build strong relationships and provide opportunities for young people to belong and achieve in unique ways. Camp Norwich served 622 campers in 2018. Campers of all backgrounds came from Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, Florence, Westhampton, Southampton and Easthampton. In addition, 271 youth enjoyed our Koala and Gymnastics Camps.

YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT and Y LEADER’S CLUB

Youth and Government is a state-wide civic education and leadership program in which YMCAs involve youth in hands-on learning experiences. Our future leaders learn how to find common ground and utilize our democratic system to make change. The mission of the national YMCA Teen Lead’s Club is to strengthen the community by instilling the core values of Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility in teens through hands-on, real-life activities, retreats, and volunteerism.  Our HRYMCA teen leaders did amazing work in 2018.  In 2018, 13 youth participated in Youth and Government and Y Leaders Club.

YOUTH TEAMS

At the Y, we understand that organized sports can play an integral role in the physical, social and emotional development of our youth. Our programs are widely acclaimed for not only teaching the skills and rules associated with a sport, but also the importance of teamwork, leadership and self-confidence. Our swim, gymnastics and youth basketball teams offer opportunities for youth ages 5 and up to participate in competitive sports, while learning the core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility. Over 200 youth and teens competed on our athletic teams in 2018.

FOR HEALTHY LIVING: IMPROVING THE NATION’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

In communities across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and well-being. With a mission centered on balance, the Y brings families closer together, encourages good health and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, millions of youth, adults and families are receiving the resources needed to achieve greater health.

LIVESTRONG® AT THE YMCA

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a small-group exercise program that helps adult cancer survivors reclaim their health and well-being following a cancer diagnosis. LIVESTRONG at the YMCA creates communities among cancer survivors, helping them build supportive relationships, reduce stress and enjoy an improved quality of life. The only prerequisites are a cancer diagnosis, a medical provider’s approval, a commitment to attend the training sessions and a desire to get stronger. In 2018, 32 local cancer survivors graduated from our LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program.

ENHANCE FITNESS

This is a research-based, arthritis-friendly exercise program led by a certified Enhance Fitness instructor. In 2018, 73 seniors participated in Enhance Fitness and over 100 took part in our Active Older Adult programming.

PARKINSON’S PROGRAMMING

This class incorporates exercises from an evidence-based program designed by the Boston University Center for Neurorehabilitation for people with Parkinson’s Disease.  In 2018, we also included a cycle class. A total of 25 individuals benefited from our Parkinson’s Disease programming in 2018.

AQUATICS PROGRAMS

The Y has been America’s leading swim instructor for more than 100 years, and our aquatics programs extend beyond instruction. We also provide recreational and specialty programs for all ages and abilities. Supporting our aquatic programs ensures that all families, individuals, youth and active older adults are able to achieve personal success in the water and learn a lifesaving skill. In 2018, more than 1,000 youth, adults and families participated in swim lessons, CPR and lifeguard trainings.

FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: GIVING BACK AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OUR NEIGHBORS

The Y has been listening and responding to the most critical social needs in our community for 160 years. Locally, nationally and globally, the Y fosters the care and respect that all people need and deserve. Thanks to the Y’s vast network of volunteers, donors and community partners, people across the country and around the world are being empowered to feel healthier and more confident, connected and secure.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Everyone is welcome at the YMCA and given the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive regardless of their income level. As a charity, we work diligently to ensure that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. This is possible through our annual support campaign, individual and organizational donations and grant funding. We awarded $276,000 in financial assistance in 2018, a $27,000 increase over 2017.

VOLUNTEERISM & COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS

The Hampshire Regional YMCA was founded as a volunteer organization in 1880. Volunteers continue to serve in many valuable areas to mobilize our community and create lasting social and personal change. In 2018, 271 volunteers gave 1,615 hours of service including one day events, board service, staff development and more.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

Our commitment to a better community starts with our YMCA staff. In 2018, we continued to focus on providing our employees with a positive work environment, development opportunities and the training needed to successfully meet our mission. Through a Worksite Wellness grant, we were able to offer wellness opportunities to help the spirit, mind and body of our staff. Our 27 full-time and 239 part-time employees participated in Fitbit challenges, motivational contests, nutrition seminars, and more in 2018. By focusing on our staff, we have increased staff satisfaction and retention.

BOARD DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT

Our board continues to be engaged and committed.  We have active committees working to meet our strategic goals. This is an exciting time for our Y as we strive to grow to meet the increased needs of our community. We have completed an analysis to determine potential for expansion, and our facility and philanthropy committees are working on the next steps to determine costs, funding sources and capital needed.

COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

In 2018, we expanded our efforts to connect and partner with others in our community. We partnered with other organizations to provide services and initiated new collaborations, in addition to participating in many local events.  These community partnerships include:

Northampton Educational Foundation, Northampton Chamber of Commerce, Mass State Alliance of YMCAs, Friends of Hampshire Homeless,    Mass Department of Health, Healthy Hampshire Coalition, Northampton Prevention Coalition, Cancer Connection, The Garden, Catholic Charities Refugee Project, Northampton Survival Center, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Safe Passage,  Veterans Administration, ServiceNet, Riverside Industries, Cutchins Program, Northampton School System, Northampton Community Rowing, Starlight Foundation , Dept. of Children and Families, Northampton Neighbors, Amherst Pediatrics,  All Out Adventures, Northampton Senior Center, Easthampton and Northampton libraries, Harold Grinspoon Foundation, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Girl Scouts of Western Massachusetts, Northampton Youth Lacrosse, Look Park, ArtSpark, Stepping Up Dance Center, Women, Infants and Children, Girls on the Run, City of Northampton Police and Fire Departments, Headstart, Sugarloaf Dental, and Northampton Area Pediatrics.   

For more information about supporting our YMCA or any of the above programs, please contact Julie Bianco, CEO.