1920 1987 1917 1940 1975 1936 Founding of County Y Many Y activities centered around supporting the soldiers of WWI The first dedicated Girls Club is formed County Y helps factories restructure during WWII Rev. Knox becomes Y Chair Programs grow to include eductional topics & career clinics Valley Shore Y is Formed Ribbon cutting signals offical opening at current site County Y hosts a Youth Temperance Group YOUTH DEVELOPMENT A CENTURY OF SERVICE TO THE SHORELINE The leading cause of preventable death among children is drowning. Each year, we provide over 200 kids in our community with free swim and water safety lessons during SPLASH week. children took part in our youth programs in the past year. Over 30% of households in the Valley Shore are households with children. children ages 8-12 had a safe place to have fun during one of the Y’s “Kids Night Out” events in 2017. children were given backpacks filled with supplies to help them start rhe school year off right in September 2017. campers from across our service area learned important life skills and grew their confidence during the summer of 2017. students from 8 schools in 7 towns participated in our Afterschool program. Children are most at risk as crime victims and involvement with unsafe behavior in the hours after school. #1 1,566 180 246 1,120 850 1937 1944 First Board of Directors is formed 1957 Central office of County Y is moved to Westbrook 1966 1947 County Y’s first summer day camp begins COMMUNITY IMPACT VALLEY-SHORE YMCA YOUR INVESTMENT MAKES A DIFFERENCE Baby boom increases youth progrms Programs include furniture repair & managing teens 1950 CHALLENGE: Core infrastructure in need of immediate improvement Our YMCA has been well-used and much loved since 1974 and has had more than 10 million visitors since our doors first opened. Many elements of our core infrastructure are in need of repair or upgrade to protect the integrity of the physical structure and avoid service interruption. YMCA RESPONSE The newly renovated Y will have all of the safety, accessibility, and mechanical systems needed to protect the integrity of the building. The renovations will include modern mechanical systems, sprinkler and security systems, and critical repairs to roofs, foundations and structure. COMMUNITY IMPACT The renovated Y will help ensure the safety and security of the next generation of members from our community. CHALLENGE: Disconnected youth, seniors and families Our community and society has changed around us. There are fewer activities for families to do together on the Shoreline; technology and screen time has reduced human interaction, particularly among teens; and as seniors live longer, the risk for social isolation has increased. YMCA RESPONSE The renovated YMCA will provide meeting and program areas for individuals to connect, increase the opportunities for families to participate in healthy activities together, and provide more opportunities for youth and teens to engage in creative and non-competitive activities. COMMUNITY IMPACT The YMCA will empower youth, families and seniors to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds around healthy activities that improve overall quality of life.