Mission & Cause
MISSION
The YMCA of Centre County is a charitable, non-profit organization that provides opportunities to all individuals and families in the community by putting high moral values and principles into practice through facilities, programs, services and activities that build healthy spirit, mind and body. The YMCA of Centre County fully accepts diversity and promotes community development and cooperation.
THE YMCA – NATIONALLY
The Y is the nation’s leading non - profit organization committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Learn more about the Y as a movement at www.ymca.net.
THE YMCA – LOCALLY
The YMCA of Centre County was formed January 2, 2009, as a merger of the Bellefonte and State College YMCAs. The original charter of the Bellefonte YMCA, dated 1869, is still held by the organization, making it the third oldest Y in Pennsylvania. In essence, the Y has been part of Centre County for more than 140 years.
The YMCA of Centre County is available for all members of the community. We particularly recognize the need to be here for kids, individuals and families in need, by turning no one away due to inability to pay. Financial assistance provided through our Open Doors program keeps the Y available for those who often need us the most.
In 2011, the Y gave $306,949 in Open Doors memberships, programs and services back to the community. The true measure, however, of what the Y does for the community can be seen on a daily basis. An autistic child who learned socialization skills through our child care is now able to hug his mother. A young girl struggling with weight issues worked with a Y personal trainer and nutritionist, and now confidently plays on her school’s volleyball team. A single parent of 3 children credits the Y with helping her family bond with each other and flourishes in a new community. A man who recently had double knee replacement surgery is able to stand up unassisted by the end of one meeting with a Y trainer; now he and his wife have both lost weight and continue to come to the Y together to maintain healthy lifestyles. The Y’s cause—strengthening the Centre County community—is much more active than a gym. These stories, and so many more, are the true evidence of what we do each and every day.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Throughout 2009, YMCA of Centre County volunteers worked on developing the strategic plan for the newly formed organization. The major priorities identified were financial development, new facilities, renovation of existing facilities and marketing and communications.
As YMCAs across the nation have begun to adopt the new Y brand, the YMCA of Centre County has taken the opportunity to align our strategic priorities within the new brand areas of focus: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Committees are currently being reestablished to reflect the work in each of the areas and will be lead by our association’s subject matter experts.
For each of the areas of focus, several priorities have been identified as the focus of the strategic plan committee work. These priorities are based on opportunities for funding, demonstration of measurable outcomes and serving more people. This new strategic plan structure and approach will provide our staff and volunteers with a much clearer understanding of the work they do every day and their contribution to the overall success of the organization.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE – Comments and Stories from the Y Community
“Every Thursday morning, fellow Centre County Youth Service Bureau staff members and I facilitate a rock wall climbing class at the State College YMCA. This class is a physical education course for local alternative high school students who otherwise would not have any other physical education opportunities. We have been running these 6-week courses since the fall. In addition to climbing, the students practice goal-setting and participate in teambuilding activities. Our current group is comprised of students from Manito and RIT, and they make Thursday mornings my favorite part of the week. From the minute they walk into the gym to the minute we have to nearly plead with them to take off their harnesses, the students are enthusiastically participating. They are determined and eager. There is no denying the pride and accomplishment they feel when they finally meet the challenge of a particular wall. The sense of empowerment they experience is truly transformational. Although each student excels individually, what is most inspiring is the camaraderie and genuine concern they have for one another. They are a team and there is great care of and appreciation for each member. They are so invested in one another’s success, in fact, that one of the kiddos literally pushed his friend up the wall. When a student is not climbing, I can guarantee he or she is shouting words of encouragement or guidance to whomever is climbing. Every climb is celebrated with praise and high-fives. On behalf of everyone involved, I extend sincere thanks and gratitude to the Y for making this experience possible and helping make a difference.”
“Recently, a Bellefonte Y member of 25 years, had double knee replacements. She spent 5 days in the hospital, 5 days in rehab, came home and walked up 12 steps to her bedroom. Her doctors and therapists were amazed at her rapid recovery and said she was a miracle. They asked what she did to be so healthy and to be able to move as quickly as she did. She credits the classes at the Y. The Water Walking and Stretch and Flex have helped her maintain strength and flexibility. Her doctor told her she was doing the right thing and to continue. She is 75 years old and is walking proof of the benefit of being part of the Y.”
“I recently joined the Y and have discovered the benefit of the treadmill. For years I have been a believer of walking your way to fitness but an accident changed my pedestrian approach to health. Because I cannot roll or push off on my foot, I thump along. After a couple miles this thumping results in swelling, pain, and then it’s time to put the foot up. Considering the severity of the accident, I never dreamed of progressing much farther than this. Then a friend invited me to the Y and there I checked out the treadmill. By holding on to the rail I can actually get up to a run for a few minutes. Wow. The morning workout crowd is quite an inspiration too.”
“One day while lifeguarding, the swim lesson instructor struggled to get a young boy to even put his toes in the water. He was shy, nervous and upset by being away from mom and dad in this loud, crowded little pool in Bellefonte. After the first day, when he refused to get in the pool or even respond to the instructor, we worried that he just wasn’t ready. His parents really wanted him to get involved in some things outside of the home, and thought it important to keep bringing him each week. After talking to the father, we allowed them to take home one of our swimming floats to ‘practice’ in the bathtub. In the weeks that followed, the boy’s progress was very slow, but steady. After seven weeks of class, he would get into the water, but still clung to the instructor. Eventually, the boy grew a little more comfortable, and even began to participate in other Y activities, such as tee ball and soccer. The last two summers, I have had the pleasure of seeing him and his family at the outdoor pool in Bellefonte, where he is always eager to show me any new skill or tricks he can do in the water. At the end of last summer, the boy’s father thanked me and the Y for our patience and understanding, and for helping to nurture him early in his lessons, describing to me how his participation helped his son grow more self-confident and independent. In my mind, this exemplifies why we do what we do…seeing a child discover something in themselves that they didn’t know they had, and helping them to develop their confidence and strength brings all of us great joy. And the best part is, it happens every day at the Y.”
“Almost one year has passed since we first signed the kids up for Y child care and day camp. All are doing amazingly well with the support of the Y. We attend every family night that we can—we plan them weeks in advance and try to invite friends to go with us. The kids love the fact that they are special…every kid at the Y is special.”