Park Cities YMCA Stretches its Charitable Muscles Beyond the Blue and Gold
Charity Launches Annual Campaign to Raise Funds for All
Park Cities YMCA announces today its 2016 annual scholarship fundraising goal of $435,000 to fund programs that nurture youth development, energize healthy living and inspire social responsibility.
"We are a non-profit charity for our entire community, a community that includes people in and outside the HPISD corridor," said Roger Moon, Park Cities YMCA Executive Director. "The programs and scholarships provided last year were funded by donations from generous families and companies to people who need help financially. No one is turned away, and we're blessed that we're surrounded by people who have hearts to give and know that our community reaches beyond the Park Cities borders."
Scholarships Underwrite Programs
The Financial Assistance “Y for All” program is a sliding fee scale that is designed to provide services for any family, adult or senior who desires to participate and understands the benefits of the YMCA, regardless of their ability to pay. Because of the funds raised through YMCA Annual Campaign, we are able to reduce fees for those in need. Last year, the Park Cities YMCA provided almost $500, 000 in community benefits, including memberships, sports and numerous others.
Make a Splash
Safety in and around water is an important issue for all of our children, but a disproportionate number of minority children drown each year. At the Y, we believe that safe swimming saves lives and that all children should be equipped with the skills to help them safely enjoy the water. The Make A Splash program is one of the many ways we help to make time in and around the water both fun and safe. Make A Splash mobile lifeguard and swim instructors provide no cost swim lessons in apartment community pools across North, South and West Dallas, Irving, Vickery Meadows, White Rock/East Dallas, Richardson and Plano. This past summer 150, eight lesson sessions were provided to 4,000 children in more than 100 apartment communities. Locally, the Park Cities mobile team alone provided 250 lessons.
Youth and Government
Democracy must be learned by each generation. YMCA Youth & Government is a nation-wide civic education and leadership program in which schools, civic organizations and Ys involve kids in hands-on learning experiences. Students participate on both a district and state level. Each year the State conference is held in the Capital Building in Austin with nearly than 1000 students in attendance. In 2015, more than 125 students participated at the Park Cities YMCA. This year HP students, Bennett Robinson and Sam Royall placed second in Appellate Moot Court at the National Competition.
“Youth and Government is a life-changing program, providing students an opportunity to put into practice budding leadership, diplomacy and public speaking skills,” said Kendra Yanchak, Park Cities YMCA Operations Director. “They learn early on the value of voting and volunteering, graduating from the program with an appreciation of how our government and they can affect our community for generations.”
The Rise School
Beginning in the fall of 2016, the Rise School of Dallas will become part of the YMCA. The school serves children with developmental delays from ages 18 months to 6 years, as well as integrating children without delays. Occupational, physical, speech and music therapy is provided within the context of the educational environment using an integrative approach with therapy goals implemented collaboratively by the therapists.
Companies Contribute
"Our volunteer teams are hitting the ground running to raise funds among our Herschel Hodges Advanced Division and Commercial givers," said Jason Piering, volunteer board member and co-chair of the campaign.” We've received generous donations in past years from organizations like Wells Fargo, La Fiesta and Adolfson & Peterson Construction that share our charitable mission. Working with companies in the fall, gives them an opportunity to donate before year-end, or enables them to pledge now and budget for the donation in early January."
"Let there be no mistake; donations from the Annual Campaign are used strictly for programs and scholarships that benefit the community, which is the charitable engine of the YMCA," added Moon.
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Y’s engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in 21 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.
For more information or to donate, contact Roger Moon at (214) 526-7293 or rmoon@YMCADALLAS.org.