A WRAP UP OF 2021!

What a year!

Our wrap up of 2021 looks back and recognizes everything the Valley of the Sun YMCA did for our community. A year in which the Y undoubtedly works nonstop to deliver the best programs, resources, and activities for everyone.

WE PROVIDED SUPPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY TO GET A COVID-19 VACCINE!

The Y benefited 702 participants by collaborating with Uber to provide free transportation for individuals to get their COVID-19 vaccine appointments in 2021. The Y and Uber coordinated with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Grand Canyon University, and other vaccination groups to facilitate the individual's experience. In addition, we provided a Child Watch opportunity for families who have vaccination appointments for June. Parents and caregivers in our Arizona communities were able to leave their children in a fun safe place to play while they go to receive their COVID-19 vaccination.

WE PROVIDED AQUATIC EXPERIENCES TO OUR COMMUNITY!

The Y, committed to ensuring everyone is safe and confident around water provided two programs for our participants.

Throughout May, as part of National Water Safety Month, the Valley of the Sun YMCA offered two weeks of free swim lessons to 1,000 registrants at 10 Valley of the Sun YMCA pools. The free swim lessons were part of the Y’s Safety Around Water program, which is designed to teach non-swimmers survival skills engage and educate parents about the importance of water safety skills, and provide more of America’s youth access to water safety lessons.

In addition, the Y partnered with the Goodyear Fire Department and the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona to host a Swim Safety Activity Day to teach kids skills to stay safe around water. ⠀

WE BUILD CONFIDENCE IN OUR SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS FOR OUR CHILDREN in 2021!

YMCA Camp Sky-Y welcomed 1248 campers over the 10-week summer. After a year of closure due to the pandemic, we are thrilled to have operated a healthy and safe camp experience. Our activities emphasized human values such as self-esteem, caring, and responsibility.

Valley of the Sun YMCA provided 8879 weeks of summer day camp at 10 locations around the valley. The Y’s staff nurtured lifelong friendships and confidence among all campers, a key component of our mission to help each child reach their full potential. Each week of summer day camp, we recognized one outstanding YMCA counselor who went above and beyond to provide amazing experiences for our campers.

WE JOINED FIVE DAYS OF ACTION TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM ABUSE!

We joined the campaign by spreading awareness of creating a safer place for children to live, learn, and play through our audience on our social media in 2021. We focused on the simple steps of KNOW. SEE. RESPOND. to help adults better protect children. We believe that when adults know how abuse happens, see the warning signs, and respond quickly to prevent abuse, they foster a culture of child abuse prevention in 2021.

WE GAVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY ON THANKSGIVING 2021!

Branches across the valley collected an abundance of Thanksgiving Day essentials to give back to those in the community who may not be able to afford to celebrate. Volunteers put together and handed out baskets to our sponsored families for their holiday.

AND MORE!

Looking forward to events, programs, and activities of this year? follow us on our social networks: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn.