Advertisement
Annual data for 2006 reveals an increase of 50 percent since 2005, to720, in the number of YMCAs that offer programs addressing child obesity, anda 70 percent increase in YMCAs that provide adult obesity programming, to1,750. YMCAs with nutrition programs are up almost 30 percent, to 700, overthe same two-year period, while Ys offering weight management programs -- acombination of nutrition, physical activity and family education/involvement-- jumped 165 percent, to 566.
Advertisement
Programs extend beyond the walls of YMCAs into to schools, communitycenters and businesses. In fact, YMCAs involved in community health and well-being coalitions increased 30 percent, to 723, in 2006.
"For nearly 160 years, America's YMCAs have been meeting the most pressingchallenges of the communities we serve. Activate America(R) is the YMCA's boldapproach to directly address the nation's growing health crisis by engagingcommunities across the country to support people of all ages in their pursuitof well-being in spirit, mind and body," said Neil Nicoll, YMCA of the USApresident and chief executive officer. "YMCAs are uniquely positioned to helpbring positive change, not just to individuals and families, but also on alarger scale to school districts, neighborhoods and entire cities."
Open to all, regardless of age, race, sex, faith, background, ability orincome, YMCAs are collectively the country's largest not-for-profit communityservice organization. YMCAs saw overall membership of 20.2 million in 2006.YMCA membership spans all age groups with half of all members under the age of18, 15 percent between 18 and 29, almost 30 percent between 30 and 54 years,and 11 percent age 55 and older.
YMCAs remain the nation's largest not-for-profit provider of child care,providing high-quality, affordable care to more than 500,000 children throughnearly 10,000 YMCA-operated child care sites across the country. More than 900Ys offer family-centered programs, from family nights to parenting classes.
Supported and led by 563,282 volunteers, YMCAs owe their combined strengthto the consistent generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations andpublic entities at every level. Contributed income reached $933 million, or16.6 percent of combined total YMCA funding in 2006, supporting facilities,programs and services in communities across the United States. "We simplycould not reach all of the people we do, and have the kind of impact we do,without this strong public support," said Nicoll. "It's genuinely an honor,and a trust we take very, very seriously."
Top YMCA Programs:
In 2006, the most popular YMCA programs, ranked by number of YMCAsoffering them, included: day camp, character development, youth basketball,aerobic group exercise, strength training and school-age child care.
YMCA of the USA's annual statistics were tallied from the responses of2,476 YMCAs to a questionnaire on 2006 programs and operations collected inthe first quarter of 2007. Additional YMCA statistics can be found online athttp://www.ymca.net. Click on: "About the YMCA."
Located in Chicago, YMCA of the USA is the national resource office forthe nation's 2,663 YMCAs, which serve nearly 20.2 million people each year,including 9.4 million children under the age of 18. Through a variety ofprograms and services focused on the holistic development of children andyouth, health and well-being for all, and family strengthening, YMCAs unitemen, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities an
