The Y: Improving Community One Day at a Time

For so long the Y has been known as a gym and swim throughout the communities that Ys serve each and everyday, but in reality the Y is improving community all throughout this country and many others.  The reality is that that the Y is so much more.  Each day the YMCA of Catawba Valley is improving community through offering programs and services that help people of all ages and in all stages of life.  The Y has three areas of focus and each one helps us achieve our goals.

The first area of focus is youth development.  This is much more than just developing a youth physically or teaching them how to to be a better athlete through sports.  Youth Development is all about helping each child reach their full potential.  It is our goal that when a child comes through our programs that they grow as an individual as well as learn new skills along the Y.  We work each day to ensure children feel a sense of belonging and understand that they can succeed in so many ways.  When a child leaves our program, it is our goal they are the best they can be at an activity or sport but more importantly they have grown as person.  This way when they are older they can contribute to society as a whole.

Healthy Living is another way the Y works on improving community.  We have a program designed for those people who are pre-diabetic and those who have been diagnosed with cancer.  In both scenarios, people need an outlet.  A place where they can come and reclaim their health.  The Y is that place for so many.  It is also a place where people can come in and now feel judged.  Every person is welcomed with open arms and we are here to help you reach our goals.  Your goals could be small or large and either way the Y will help you reach them.

The final way we work to improve the community is through social responsibility.  Social responsibility is at the root of what we do.  We are not here for ourselves, we are here for the community.  The reality is that many people are in need of assistance so they can take steps to be healthier but just can not afford it.  That is where our spirit program comes into play.  It allows people to get use the Y at a reduced rate.  Since the Y began, we have never turned anyone away for inability to pay and we will continue to do that for many years to come.

As you can see, the Y is not just a gym and swim.  It is so much more and because of that we work to improve our community and invite you to join the Y so you can improve the community with us.  Stop in and join today.

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