For many children, families and adults, the Y is a family. It is a place to come where they can learn, grow and thrive. But many need your help to benefit from this opportunity.

You know the faces of need in our community as well as we do: children in need of safe care and educational support; teens in need of positive role models and activities; and families who need a place to spend time together where they can grow in spirit, mind and body.

The YMCA of Greater Richmond is committed to meeting these needs and others through such programs as child care, camp, youth sports and health and wellness. Your gift improves a life. It keeps the Y open to all, making sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive through the Y.

Learn how the YMCA of Greater Richmond is building Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.

A Message from the Annual Giving Chair

Tom Wilcox

Thinking of when I sat in the Command Chair of the USS Enterprise (CVN65), while underway in the Atlantic Ocean in 2007, reminds me on why I serve the YMCA - to direct and navigate into the horizon remembering it takes a team to make the 2013 Strengthening Communities Campaign successful and positively impact the lives of others.

Annual Support Campaign

The Goochland Family YMCA provides about $135,000 in assistance to more than 1,750 members and program participants through reduced membership and program fees, and through such programs as Learn to Swim and Teen Leaders. Your gift to the Strengthening Communities Fund keeps these programs, and others, open to all.

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Preschool: Nineteen children at the Goochland Y’s Early Learning Center gain the fundamental skills they need to be fully prepared for kindergarten.

Before- and After-School: More than 140 children from three schools will benefit from before- and after-school child care. Your gift enables parents to maintain gainful employment while their kids enjoy daily academic assistance, nutritious snacks, physical exercise and character-enhancing activities.

YMCA Leaders’ Club: Run by teens for teens, YMCA Leaders’ Club is the pinnacle of teen programs; 35 teens develop leadership skills through academic excellence, physical fitness and 100 hours of community volunteer service. More than 100 teens develop life skills through other exciting Y programs.

FOR HEALTHY LIVING
Youth Sports: More than 500 children develop character, teamwork and discipline through participation in youth sports. Your gift ensures that all children are given the chance to “be on the team.” At the Y everyone plays, everyone wins!

Learn to Swim: Children drown because they don’t know how to swim. Two hundred youth develop basic swim and water safety skills through this free program.

FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Community Support: We anticipate that one in three members who join the Goochland Family Y in 2013 will need financial assistance to enable them to take part in our many programs and offerings. Cost should not be a barrier to joining the Y family.

gMac: Twenty children from Goochland Middle School benefit three days per week from tutoring, physical exercise and a healthy snack at the Goochland Y.