The Lancaster Family YMCA is the Lemon Street Market #GiveLocal partner organization for May and June. When customers opt to round up at the register, all proceeds will be donated to the Lancaster Family YMCA in order to strengthen the foundations of our community through programs focused on healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility. We spoke with Nic Legere, Lancaster Family YMCA Director of Operations, about some ongoing and upcoming projects.
What makes the Lancaster YMCA more than just a gym?
The Lancaster Family YMCA is more than a place to work out. As a nonprofit, charitable organization, the Y’s mission is to nurture the community through the pursuit of life-long growth in spirit, mind, and body. We deliver that mission in Lancaster County through programs like summer camps, sports and early learning programs that encourage youth to reach their full potential, supporting adults and families in building and maintaining healthy lifestyles, and creating opportunities for people to give back to their neighbors and their community.
What’s included in a YMCA Membership?
Membership at the Lancaster Family YMCA includes full facility use of the City Center YMCA, Lampeter-Strasburg YMCA, and YMCA at New Holland. Membership also includes all group exercise and aquatics fitness classes and YMCA Nationwide Membership, which enables Lancaster Family YMCA members to visit any other YMCA in the United States that participates in the Nationwide Membership plan free of cost.
Do you provide financial assistance?
Yes, at the YMCA we believe that our membership services and programs should be available to anyone regardless of age, background, or income. As such, the Y offers financial assistance towards Y membership and program fees for economically disadvantaged youth, adults, and families. We also offer programs that address critical community needs at no or low cost including:
– Safety Around Water classes for second grade students
– LIVESTRONG at the YMCA classes to support cancer survivors in their recovery
– Diabetes Prevention Programs
– Pre-K Counts Programs
– Summer Learning Loss Prevention Programs
– Financial Scholarships towards YMCA Camp Shand day and overnight programs
In 2018, $1,088,513 in direct financial assistance and subsidized services was given by the Lancaster Family to the Lancaster County community for participation in Y membership and programs.
How is the Lancaster YMCA impacting our Lancaster City neighbors?
At our City Center YMCA, we have several programs that focus on supporting children in the School District of Lancaster. During this past school year, second grade students from King, Ross, Wharton, and Wickersham Elementary schools had the opportunity to participate in our YMCA Safety Around Water classes. Our Pre-K Counts program helps preschool children in SDoL get ready to successfully start kindergarten, and our Power Scholars Academy offers summer learning loss prevention programming to elementary school age children in the district who are at risk of falling behind. We’re able to offer these programs without cost to the families through collaborations with the School District of Lancaster, the Lancaster Rec Commission, grants and donor funding.
Does the Lancaster YMCA have any upcoming community events?
Our Lampeter-Strasburg YMCA Outdoor Pool offers family fun nights and pool parties throughout the summer. These events are free to our Outdoor Pool members and a nominal fee for Non Pool members.
Nic Legere
Director of Operations
Lancaster Family YMCA
Coming up: Our July & August #GiveLocal partner organization is Lancaster Health Center.
Learn more about becoming a YMCA member.
The post #GiveLocal: 5 Questions with the Lancaster Family YMCA appeared first on Lemon Street Market.