YOUR Y: SO MUCH MORE THAN FITNESS
You voted us "Best Weight Loss Center" AND "Best Fitness Center" because the Y knows the challenges each of you face. You know that where society falls short, the Y steps in. The YMCA makes a difference in the lives of thousands of people in our community and a huge impact on each individual we serve.
In addition to the heart-pumping workouts you may know us for, the Y offers heart-filled help as a nonprofit focused on strengthening community. We help kids, adults and families from all walks of life reach their goals and contribute to solutions that improve our lives. Although fitness and family fun are always present, the Y is so much more than a gym; it's a place where people from all backgrounds come together to make our community stronger.
The Y is a community hub that provides a vital social network of support. A place where friends meet for group exercise classes, organizations hold meetings, families bond, and children learn how to swim. Local churches host lock-ins, Baptist Health Madisonville collects blood and local schools hold reward trips. Although the Y is known for improving physical health, it can be argued that it is in the areas of social and mental health that we make the greatest day-to-day impact.
The Y is both supported by and provides opportunities for volunteerism. We're led by policy makers from the Board of Directors. Community volunteers serve as youth sports coaches, maintenance workers and summer food service helpers. Approximately 30 volunteers assist the Y in raising $60,000 for the Annual Giving Campaign, allowing the Y to be accessible to all. We provide internship and volunteer opportunities to college students which in turn benefits the Y in so many ways.
The Y has served our military since the Civil War and we continue our support to this day. Active duty military members on leave are welcomed at no cost while visiting home. National Guard and Reserve units receive support for their families while deployed. Recruiters from all branches and our local National Guard unit also have free use of the Y. The Hopkins County Family YMCA has also assisted the Patrick Rudd Project in awarding $40,000 in Everyday Heroes mini grants to local first responding departments and law enforcement agencies over the past two years while honoring a local military hero.
Our impact often reaches beyond our walls. We train the community in CPR and First Aid and provide certification to area lifeguards and swim lesson instructors. We partner with the Wal-Mart Foundation, the Hopkins County Board of Education and area churches to provide nearly 50,000 meals to youth every summer. We work with the Madisonville Police Department to provide food backpacks to individuals and families in need. We partner with assisted living facilities to teach our preschoolers and senior citizens that friendship knows no age.
Are we a cause or a fitness club? Maybe the truth is that we serve a different need for everyone in the community but for us our cause defines our focus of Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. As always, we invite you to join us in advancing our cause and help us strengthen the community for all.
