The YMCA of San Diego County is the second largest Y in the nation serving more than 400,000 San Diego County residents and employing more than 5,000 people.  The YMCA offers variety of programs and services focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Y unites men, women, and children regardless of their age, income, or background- to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve San Diego’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.  For the 2015-2016 fiscal year, the Y thought providing a snapshot of the IMPACT they’re having in each of the communities served would be – well, impactful!

• The Border View Family YMCA in San Ysidro ran a successful Physical Learning Activities for Youth, or “PLAY” program, where more than 580 students at Juarez Lincoln Elementary received an hour per week of physical fitness, health ED, and character development. Curriculum is specific to the school and student population to ensure constant engagement.
• In the East County, the Y’s Active Older Adult Programs can at times be the only sense of family and friendship an individual has. With dozens of special trips, specifically designed lectures, workshops and organically created programs, the YMCA gives each person a feeling of belonging. Unique programs that are making a difference in East County include the Parkinson’s Group Exercise Class and Bridge Club.
• In Southeast San Diego, It is estimated that 33,000 children ages 5-12 in the service area of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA have never taken swim lessons. Last year alone, the Jackie Robinson Y provided $15,288 dollars in financial assistance for aquatics programs to low-income families. Whether it’s gaining the confidence that comes from learning to swim or building positive relationships leading to good sportsmanship and teamwork, participating at the Y is all about building the whole child from the inside out.
• The LIVESTRONG program at the La Jolla YMCA is a free, 12-week program designed to meet the needs of adults with cancer before, during, and after treatment. It is an evidence and research based program that empowers cancer survivors to take an active role in their own health by engaging in a strength and conditioning program. Focusing on health rather than the disease, LIVESTRONG at the Y helps cancer survivors move beyond illness to reclaim wellness in mind, body, and spirit. The first session had eight participants and currently another eight cancer survivors are participating! One participant said, “Through the LIVESTRONG program at the Y I have found a part of the person I had hidden away during cancer treatment. It allowed me to feel ‘normal’ again! This is a very important program and I am blessed to be a part of it.”
• The Adventure Princess Program at Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA in Encinitas allows fathers and daughters ages 5-10 enjoy the great outdoors while building friendships and being part of “more.” Members of the program have created their own philanthropic culture! The Bear Nation, a group of over 750 participants, established a Volunteer Program for their daughters to learn what it means to give back. With over 430 girls participating in the volunteerism, the group has done beach cleanups, tree planting at local parks, and adopted over 100 children during the holidays through gift giving.
• Forty thousand people each year rely on the YMCA’s Krause Family Skate and Bike Park for a variety of programs, from STEM-based Skate Camps to the only Skatercross skateboarding course in the country. In June, the skatepark hosted the first ever skatercross competition during the 10^th annual Clash at Claremont, with ESPN filming and Tony Hawk serving as announcer. Just as the Y helped spread basketball in 1891, once again we’re serving communities with innovative recreation.
• The Mission Valley YMCA and Toby Wells YMCA (Kearny Mesa) boast serving 5,000 students each year with health and fitness at school through the Physical Learning Activities for Youth program (PLAY). One great outcome – the kids’ cardio, upper body strength and flexibility have improved over 15% in the last year!Peninsula Family YMCA is seeing great success with its Correia Swim Program, designed for all eighth grade students to receive swim lessons. In its third year, the program has grown from 100 8^th graders to 480 this past school year! Based on school district data, the need was great. The program has made a real impact on making students water safe, as well as meet a component of required school curriculum.
• The Rancho Family YMCA in Rancho Penasquitos, along with sponsorship from the City of San Diego and the Rancho Penasquitos Town Council, opened the PQ certified farmers market in April. Boasting an average of 900 people attending each Saturday, it has been a great success supporting local farmers and providing our community with healthy living options.
• Also at the Rancho Y, over 150 5^th graders and their families pedaled across the State of California during spring break.  The trip took them 280 miles from Yuma to Encinitas in one week.  This extraordinary camping trip allows 5^th graders to learn what it means to create goals, be disciplined and work to accomplish a plan.
• The South Bay Family YMCA Academy Program aims to equalize academic opportunity for children in Title One elementary schools in Chula Vista. The program is a subsidized full-day program that focuses on academic enrichment in Literacy, Math, and STEM subjects. Goals for the summer 2016 session included serving one hundred students per week in Chula Vista, and forty a week at our new National City location. Through consistent attendance to the Y Academy, students are more likely to retain information learned during the school year, effectively read at grade level, minimize the threat of obesity, and reduce the likelihood of chronic absence.
• The Family Adventures in Nature program, or the FAN program for the YMCA, has some impactful figures. YMCA Camps had a total of 224 school-age participants from different 14 school sites throughout San Diego County. Weekend events were naturally very popular boasting 344 participants. Camp Marston had 106 campers from the FAN program, and 38 participated in beach camping. To cap it off, 110 volunteers picked up 157 pounds of trash during a beach cleanup!
• YMCA Camp Marston (Julian) and Camp Surf (Imperial Beach) had an impactful season for Outdoor Education. The total number of school participants was 8,200, with those students coming from 140 different schools spanning San Diego County. For Camp Surf, 850 teens participated in the leadership program. The programs and classes were all aligned with new State Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, making yet another terrific partnership with our county schools.
• The YMCA of San Diego County provided $2.6 million in branch subsidies last fiscal year.  This funding ensures that YMCA branches can provide financial assistance to verified low-income participants and branches serving vulnerable communities can keep program fees low. Without the generosity of donors, these subsidies would not be possible.

At the Y we know we have the opportunity and responsibility to help all people build strong, meaningful relationships with their families, neighbors, and communities. They are excited to be seeing and feeling that IMPACT during the last fiscal year.