From the President/CEO
Wray Howard
We occasionally get
comments from people in the community – or sometimes
even our own YMCA members – that they didn’t
realize the YMCA was the organization that ran a particular
community program that they or someone in their family was
involved in.
People usually think of the Y only as the big brick building
down on the river with the swimming pools, gymnasiums and
exercise areas. These discussions always lead to the opportunity
to explain that while the fitness, recreation, swimming lessons,
and gym classes are a big and important part of what the
YMCA offers to our community, we also do much more. In fact,
of the over 36,200 people the Y served last year about 41%
were active members at the I.D. Pennock Center. The other
59% were involved in other types of Y programs, and almost
30% of our total $6,868,119 annual budget is for programs
that don’t take place at the Y facilities. |
Wray Howard
President and CEO
Rockford YMCA
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To understand what the YMCA does, it is important to remember
that the YMCA exists as a not-for-profit community agency to help
people of all ages and from all walks of life to develop to their
full potential in spirit, mind, and body through programs that
put into practice the core Christian values of caring, honesty,
responsibility, and respect.
Goal #1: Strengthen Families
A. Kids have positive role models/mentors
B .Families have shared experiences.
C. School age child care needs are met.
Goal #2: Strengthen Kids
A. Kids’ developmental needs are defined and met.
B. Kids are motivated to do well in school and other activities.
C. Kids are capable and motivated to make healthy choices in all aspects of
their lives.
Goal #3: Strengthen Communities
A. Citizens engage in regular physical activity.
B. Strong neighborhoods.
C. Leadership skills are developed in youth and adults.
Goal #4: Christian Principles Are Practiced Throughout the Community
A. Staff recognizes their role as champions for YMCA values.
B. Members/program participants/community partners view Y staff as people who
demonstrate YMCA values.
C. Y members view other members as people who demonstrate YMCA values.
Goal #5: Y Services Are Accessible to All
A. Geographic accessibility
B. No financial barriers
C. Emphasis on under-served youth
We hope you’ll take a few minutes to read further through
this annual report to see how your YMCA has addressed these important
goals this past year.
As we look to the future we have many exciting new things underway
that relate directly to our goals. A major one is the opening of
the new Northeast Branch in the fall of 2007. The new Youth Fit
for Life program is being implemented in all of our after school
childcare centers and some new initiatives to address the growing
health crisis is our community are being planned to assist people
who struggle to maintain healthy lifestyle habits of regular exercise
and healthy eating.
We look forward to continued service to the communities of the
Rock River Valley in the years ahead, and are grateful to the many
individuals, organizations, companies, and foundations that continue
to assist the Y in these efforts.
Here at the YMCA we do indeed build strong kids, strong families
and strong communities.
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