Director's Welcome

From the Director's Desk . . .

If I asked you what the YMCA is and what is does, you probably wouldn't know quite what to say. Some of you may say something about our well-known "Swim & Gym" facilities, some of you may mention YMCA Summer Camp, or some may point out our YMCA Triangle that symbolizes our mission to improve every individual's spirit, mind and body. Any of these would be a good introduction to the Y - but they would be just that - an introduction.

The truth is: many people don't really know all that the Y is and all that the Y does. Maybe, that's because the Y is and does so much. We can sum up what we do at the St. Joseph Family YMCA in just eight words: We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. We do this work each and every day with a lot of help and guidance from our Heavenly Father.

In an effort to better tell our YMCA story, I have developed some Information Bullets (below) for you to read and hopefully remember.

Did You Know?

Your St. Joseph Family YMCA has served our community for over 123-years.
Your St. Joseph Family YMCA never turns anyone away from valuable YMCA programs and services due to an inability to pay the stated fees.
In 2004 and 2005 (combined) your St. Joseph Family YMCA provided over one million dollars in direct financial assistance and reduced fees to children, families, adults, senior citizens and fellow community organizations that depend on YMCA programs and services to improve their spirit, mind, and body.
Your St. Joseph Family YMCA has three brances, Downtown, Cameron, and Camp Marvin Hillyard (a beautiful summer camp), two early learning centers (Explorers and Y's Kids World) and has Student Enrichment Programs (before and after school care) located in nine schools to serve the needs of our community.
Our Downtown branch has a state of the art cadiovascular and strength training center; a beautiful indoor, heated pool; a full sized gymnasium; an indoor track; racquetball/handball courts; an aerobic studio; and much more . . .
Your YMCA is the largest provider of child care services in the St. Joseph Community. Every year, we provide quality and affordable childcare and summer camp programs to hundreds of children in our community.
Your St. Joseph Family YMCA is Activating St. Joseph by partnering with the St. Joseph School District to:
Teach basic water safety to all 3rd graders in our YMCA Begin to Swim Program
Help high school students become healthier through a wide variety of wellness programs throughout the year such as the YMCA Elite Physical Education Program
Your St. Joseph Family YMCA conducts several community fitness events including the Youth Mile and the Apple Blossom Race for all ages.
Your St. Joseph Family YMCA has nationally certified professional staff to help your community reach their health goals. Each trainer will help guide you to a better lifestyle.
Your St. Joseph Family YMCA offers 35 group fitness classes, i.e. Pilates, Step and Toning, Yoga and Kickboxing, a week designed for beginner exerciser to the elite athlete.
Your St. Joseph Family YMCA collaborate with United Way's Success by Six programs to educate and train our Early Learning staff to attain their Child Development Associate degree.
Your St. Joseph Family YMCA childcare facilities are licensed by the Missouri Department of Childcare. Y's Kids Early Learning Center is accrediated by NAEYC, while Explorer's Early Learning Center is working toward Missouri Accrediation. The Student Enrichment Program is also working towards accrediation for all of its sites through the National After-school Association.
Your St. Joseph Family YMCA is developing a new parent/child program called Healthy Tots, which will focus on the concerns of health and obesity in our toddlers, walking to age three. The parent and child will interact and learn new exercises to do at home.
Your St. Joseph Family YMCA conducts arthritis aquatic exercise and land based exercise programs which have the endorsement of the National Arthritis Association.

Your YMCA staff and volunteers hope that you now know a little bit more about your community YMCA. If you would like to learn more about your YMCA, call me at 816-233-YMCA(9622). I'd be happy to tell you the rest of the YMCA story. Thank you and God Bless.

Mark F. Cartledge
Executive Director/CEO

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