Description
About the YMCA Mission The YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization with a mission that reaches back to 1844. That is when the Young Men's Christian Association was founded in London, England by George Williams to improve the lives of young men and society as a whole. The YMCA was unique because it crossed the rigid lines that separated all the different churches and social classes in those days. This openness was a trait that would lead the YMCA to welcoming all men, women and children, regardless of race, religion or income.
YMCA Values YMCA programs aim to help everyone -- staff, volunteers, members, young and old -- strengthen the Six Pillars of Character:
- Trustworthiness
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Fairness
- Caring
- Citizenship
YMCA Branch Membership The YMCA has state-of-the-art equipment and popular classes for all skill levels. What’s unique is the warm, caring spirit of an organization dedicated to helping people at all stages of life build positive health habits.
YMCA branch membership includes help with getting started and help sticking to your new healthy lifestyle. Meet with your own Healthy Lifestyle Counselor who will create a program that works with your schedule. No extra charge. No more going it alone.
YMCA Childcare YMCA Childcare benefits are tailored to meet the needs of the community. Childcare benifits may include family events, year-round care and weekly field trips. Curriculum includes homework time, fun enrichment classes and activities throughout the day, nutritious snacks, fitness time and parent nights.
YMCA child care staff is CPR/first aid and water safety certified and fingerprinted to ensure quality and safety for your child. YMCA staff have also completed training and coursework in child development and early childhood education.
Our children’s well-being is at stake. Obesity threatens the healthy future of one third of all
American children.
PLAY (Physical Learning Activities for Youth)YMCA PLAY is making a difference in for underfunded public schools communities throughout Los Angeles. During PLAY time, specially trained YMCA coaches teach exercise and fundamental motor skills while encouraging positive associations with physical activity. The program ensures all students participate, learn physical skills, build self esteem and have fun!
PLAY (Physical Learning Activities for Youth) is aligned with the California Physical Education Content Standards. The program is standardized for easy measurement and outcomes assessment. It provides an expert on campus every week of the school year, delivering a high quality, research-based health and wellness curriculum.
First piloted in 2001, PLAY is currently proven successful at 40 elementary school campuses
throughout LAUSD, serving more than 31,000 children
Youth & Government Youth & Government is a statewide youth education program involving more than 2,000 high school students in a 9-month hands-on experience.
Teen delegates write bills, select governmental positions to role play, attend statewide training conferences and run for various elected offices. They also learn important skills such as public speaking, organization, problem-solving and time management.
The program reaches its peak in Sacramento at the State Capitol over President's Day weekend. There, real government steps aside and the teen delegates take over, using the historic halls, chambers and offices of our State Capitol, Supreme Court and Governor's Office.
