The mission of the ymca is to put christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. At the y, strengthening community is our cause. We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health, and our neighbors. That's why we focus our work in three areas: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Human Services , Physical Fitness & Community Recreational Facilities , Sports , Young Mens or Womens Associations

Youth development the ymca has a strong emphasis in the area of youth development. Over 5,400 youth program registrations took place in the areas of youth sports, preschool enrichment, gymnastics, middle school nights, field trips, and family nights. Ymca youth sports programs emphasize development of skills, health and fitness, safety, cooperation, and self-esteem. Furthermore, they focus on the ymcas 4 core values of honesty,caring, responsibility, and respect. The y, in conjunction with the boys/girls club offers a daily just play program afterschool to ensure that kids have an opportunity to play fun games (such as kick ball, dodgeball, volleyball, soccer, ultimate football) with the purpose of getting kids active for at least 1 hour per day. The y also expanded sports camp offerings to include cheer, golf, flag football,basketball, volleyball, soccer, rugby, fitness, and pickleball. New to the fond du lac ymca in 2017 was the youth in government program, which offered approximately 50 youth in the community the opportunity to learn more about the ways government works at the city, county, and state levels. It culminated with a mock governmental session at the states capitol. In collaboration with the local kiwanis club, the y offers an annual free learn-to swim program one week each summer. In 2017, 338 children participated in this program. This affords all children an opportunity to learn a life skill at no cost to their family. This program has occurred annually at the y since 1926. Additionally,nearly 2,200 youth swim lessons were offered in 2017. healthy living the ymca of fond du lac served nearly 292,000 visits by members, guests, and community participants during 2017. The activities are designed to enhance the wellness of the community and include seminars, fitness evaluations, strength training, numerous classes, personal training, etc. Equipment options include cardio equipment (treadmills, cross trainers, bikes, rowing machines) and strength equipment (weight machines and free weights), as well as aquatics programs which provide good health through regular exercise. Over 600 people participated in paid fitness programs, while thousands participated in free classes. The fond du lac ymca offers free health and wellness orientations to members to help ensure that beginners in particular establish good exercise habits which can last a lifetime. Numerous wellness seminars were conducted at the ymca. The y continued its y5210 program in 26 classrooms in fond du lac county (1/2 of all 3rd grade classes). This program stresses the needs to: eat a minimum of 5 fruits/vegetables daily, limit screen time to 2 hours maximum daily, get at least 1 hour of physical activity daily, and consume 0 sugary drinks. A seasonal farmers market was also continued at the y. Wellness initiatives with school districts, local government, and health organizations were also expanded. The y has a total of about 140 cardio and strength stations at which members may exercise for fitness. The y continued its collaboration with the agnesian physical therapy department, allowing individuals to be treated at the y with on-site staff. The y continued its offering of a parkinsons exercise program in 2017 with approximately 25 regular participants. The diabetes prevention program (dpp) took off in 2015. Physicians can refer individuals to the ymca for a specific program for pre-diabetic patients to learn about exercise and a healthier lifestyle. 17 adults participated in this program in 2017. Livestrong was introduced at the fond du lac ymca in 2016 which is a 12- week program for cancer survivors to meet, exercise, and socialize. 41 individuals participated in this program during the year. Cardiac rehab (iii) was also launched in 2017 for individuals who have survived a major heart event, to continue necessary therapy in a supervised setting. 9 individuals continue to go through this treatment. The active older adults program continued it