2010 Supporting our growing Northfield YMCA!

2010 Program Highlights

* Over 330 individual kids participated in YMCA camps, youth sports and youth development programs this summer.

* 71 kids already received scholarships through the 2010 Annual Campaign, which was funded by local businesses and individuals.

* Over 50 parents and children participated in the the YMCA’s Fall Classic 5K short course. This fall, more than 275 kids are participating in fall programs to include flag football, volleyball, young scientists, Kids’ Night Out and Wiggles & Giggles preschool gym activities.

* The YMCA now offers open swim, family swim and aquatics fitness classes to it’s members in collaboration with the Northfield Senior Center. * So far this year, the YMCA has provided jobs for over 82 people in our community and we have had 32 work study students participate in Y programs from both Carleton and St. Olaf. The YMCA is the large community work study employer.

Community Collaborations (just a few)

* The YMCA has partnered with Rice County Public Health and Blue Cross, Blue Shield in a worksite wellness program that supports 26 businesses in Rice County. Impacting over 5000 employees in tobacco cessation, implementing physical fitness and health nutritional choices in your normal day.

* The YMCA worked with the Northfield Public Schools and Community Services to offer Early Release programming to over 300 K-5th grade students each Wednesday throughout the school year.

* Carleton College and the YMCA collaborate in offering the Prairie & Wood 1/2 day camp program (we averaged 21 kids per day this past summer!) in exploring the outdoors, understanding nature and enjoying activities other-than 'screen time'.

* Just Foods Co-op and the YMCA collaborate to manage the Ron Griffith Young Leaders Scholarship Fund and to provide healthy snacks to camp participants.

* The YMCA and Northfield Senior Center together provide open swim for adults and families adding much needed physical activity options to adults and important family opportunities.

* The YMCA collaborates with Artech Charter School to provide physical education classes to over 100 middle and high school students helping to address childhood obesity and to educate youth on the importance of good physical health.

* The YMCA and Laura Baker Family Support Services are beginning to work together on a new youth and family collaboration, creating programs that are accessible for families raising kids with developmental disabilities. Studies indicate youth experience positive developmental growth when offered opportunities with child of all ability levels.

* The YMCA, the United Providers Association (in-home licensed child care providers) and Rice County have teamed up to provide healthy fall, winter and spring activities for over 12 providers and 80 individual kids. In-home providers often struggle to provide healthy physical activities during our cold winter months - especially to children in the toddler and preschool ages.

* Over 25 youth have participate in YMCA Boxing programs providing confident, discipline, the importance of having goals and good physical fitness.

* The YMCA provided soccer instruction to 50+ preschool children with the Northfield Soccer Association this past summer, providing kids with laughter, social interaction and physical fitness.

* The YMCA offers volleyball for grades 3-5 with the Northfield Volleyball Club addressing childhood obesity and providing healthy fun.

Future Plans for the Northfield Area Family YMCA

The NAFY board and community volunteers are continuing to promote its mission by setting in place the foundational work necessary for the construction of a full facility. We are working with the guidance and support of the YMCA of the USA, which has built more than 2,700 YMCAs nationally. The national organization’s track record of success and its established planning process, plus our amazing group of local volunteer leaders, has set us off on a well-traveled path.

We conducted our financial feasibility study in early 2010 which indicated we should move forward with a capital campaign to build a full facility YMCA in Northfield.