Mission Statement
The Northfield Area Family YMCA is dedicated to providing opportunities to all individuals, families, and the community to achieve their fullest potential. Guided by our core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility, the YMCA provides services, activities and a supportive community that strengthens the spirit, mind and body for all.

November 2009 Update
The Northfield Area Family YMCA is in its third year of programming, marking an exciting yet critical time in its development. Participation in our camps and programs continues to grow, the Health and Wellness center celebrates it’s first year anniversary, preparations are underway for a capital campaign to fund the construction of a new facility in the near future.

Program Highlights
* 341 individual kids participated in YMCA camps, youth sports and youth development programs this summer, marking an increase of 138 kids over last summer’s enrollment in 2008.
* 58 kids received scholarships through the 2009 Annual Campaign, which was funded by local businesses
and individuals.
* Over 50 children participated in the the YMCA’s Fall Classic 5K short course race.
 This fall, more than 200 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 70 people in our community.

Community Collaborations 
* The YMCA is cooperating with the Northfield Hospital to establish health & wellness programs to 550 employees of the Northfield Public Schools and 125 employees of the City of Northfield.
* The YMCA works 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.
* The YMCA is the largest employer of community work study students from Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges with 15 students this fall.
* Carleton College and the YMCA collaborate in offering the Prairie & Wood 1/2 day camp program (we averaged 26 kids per day this past summer!).
* 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.
* The YMCA collaborates with Artech Charter School to provide physical education classes for their middle and high school students.
* 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.
The YMCA offers basketball instruction for elementary age children plus will launch a High School Basketball League in 2010 with the Northfield Basketball Association.
* The YMCA provided soccer instruction to 50+ preschool children with the Northfield Soccer Association this past summer.
* The YMCA offers volleyball for grades 3-5 with the Northfield Volleyball Club.

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.

Soon the NAFY will conduct an important feasibility study in Q1 of 2010 to determine if there are sufficient funds are available through private donors to execute a Capital Campaign. The NAFY has hired a professional firm to guide this process. Substantial work is being done by volunteer committees such as developing a visual representation the future building, determining potential sites for its construction and learning the best practices for fundraising.

The strength of an independent YMCA is directly related to the support it receives from its community. So far, the Northfield Area Family YMCA has received tremendous support but it is important to note that the future of the organization depends totally on the wishes of the community. The more individuals that become members now, participate in programs now, donate to our campaigns now and become involved now, the brighter the future will be for the Northfield Area Family YMCA!