Community Outreach
To bring about meaningful change, individuals need ongoing encouragement and tools. We're here day-in and day-out with extensive outreach services to empower our neighbors to make change, bridge gaps and overcome obstacles. We work to insure that every child, adult and family receives the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
DRIVING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
The Y understands that the future of our community depends on the success of children. Manchester has the 5th highest dropout rate in the state and accounts for 22 percent of the total number of dropouts (nh dept.of Ed). The Granite YMCA is focused on reducing this dropout rate by working with kids whose lives are complicated by risk factors including poverty, exposure to violence, substance abuse, poor school performance, engagement in risk-taking behaviors, or significant social-emotional difficulties. Our Youth Opportunities Unlimited programs provide support to students who would otherwise fall through the cracks. Ninety-nine percent of enrolled participants in Y dropout prevention programs live in extremely low to low income families. By providing these services, we are helping to meet a community goal of making sure all children are provided the support they need to successfully move to graduation. Learn more about Youth Opportunities Unlimited in our program brochure.
We also know that not all children have what they need to thrive academically. That's why we support them with strong role models, researched based curriculum, and enriching experiences that promote academic success. Your gift helps us drive academic achievement through high impact programs that change lives, including:
- YMCA START Achievement Gap Program at Henry Wilson and Beech Street Schools
YMCA START is a research-based afterschool program serving 125 low-income students from Henry Wilson and Beech Street Schools. The curriculum includes 2.5 hours daily of academic tutoring, physical fitness, life skills, nutrition, arts, 21st century skills, character development and teamwork. Eighty-two percent of our participants speak a language other than English at home, so START helps families who need support understanding American culture and schools. Last year, 75% of START students were recognized as citizens of the month by their schools and all students in the program advanced a minimum of two reading levels.
CACFP PUBLIC NOTICE - YMCA STAY in Manchester Middle Schools
YMCA STAY is Manchester's only program for at-risk middle school students. Students build social, time-management, educational, and decision-making skills. Through adventure and educational trips, students learn to challenge themselves and build the confidence they need to make changes in their lives. Last year, 82% of STAY students improved attendance from the prior school year and 84% improved their GPA from the previous school year.
- YMCA STRIVE for Manchester students who are suspended or expelled
STRIVE, the only program in Manchester for suspended and expelled students, offers academic support, life skills, and community service programs. Classroom activities utilize one-to-one academic tutoring to get these students back on grade level and life skills lessons to help students build social and interpersonal skills. Last year, 100% of STRIVE students received credit for their schoolwork while attending STRIVE.
- YMCA Power Scholars Academy, a summer program for at-risk middle school students
Kids from low income families often start school unprepared. Despite progressing at the same rate during the school year, learning gaps widen each summer and these students fall farther behind their peers. This Achievement Gap culminates in low high school graduation and college attainment rates, limited job prospects and negative economic impact.
Power Scholars is a six week, full day program for 48 youth entering grades 7-9, operating Monday-Friday for a 6.5 hours a day. Power Scholars is highly structured, research-based, and follows strict quality and fidelity markers, including staff qualifications, training and student/staff ratios, as well as academic and enrichment dosages. Academic rigor, high expectations and engaging learning experiences drive the program. Students receive 180 minutes of daily data-driven, differentiated instruction and remediation in literacy and math led by certified teachers in a highly engaged learning environment. Students have access to computers to use online learning modules from BELL’s (Building Educated Leaders for Life) research-based curriculum to address Manchester’s Core Curriculum. All students are assessed pre and post program. Power Scholars students gained an average of 3 months progress in math and reading, compared to the over 2 months learning loss traditionally experienced during the summer months.
INSPIRING YOUNG POTENTIAL
At the Y, we inspire kids and teens to achieve their personal best academically, socially, emotionally and physically.
As kids navigate the early years, we help them develop lifelong skills and build self-reliance so they'll know how to make positive, values-based choices as they learn and grow. Your gift helps us inspire kids to reach their greatest potential through high impact programs that change lives, including:
- Y Teen Leaders Program
- Centers for Teen Leadership at the YMCA of Downtown Manchester and YMCA Allard Center in Goffstown
- YMCA Afterschool Programs
ENSURING ACCESS AND BELONGING
Every day, we work to ensure that everyone has a place to belong at the Y. Our welcoming network of support helps people from all walks of life find the encouragement and tools they need to be successful regardless of age, ethnicity, ability or income. Your gift helps us ensure access and inclusion for all through high impact programs that change lives, including:
- We customize our rates based on your annual household income and the number of people in your household who join the Y. We offer financial assistance for both programs and memberships to make the Y affordable for all.
- Boomerang Programs for Active Older Adults
MILITARY INITIATIVE
We understand that military families are under enormous strain. The Y proudly offers free memberships to eligible military families and personnel to provide extra support during a time when loved ones are away from home. It’s our way of giving back to those who dedicate themselves to serving our country.
OUT OF WORK GUARANTEE
If you or your spouse are unemployed, the Y will provide your membership at no charge for up to three months so you can continue your Y benefits and keep healthy while you seek employment.
DROWNING PREVENTION
Teaching children how to be safe around water is not a luxury, it is a necessity.Three children die each day from drowning. What's harder to believe is that 88% of youth drowning incidents occur under adult supervision. Teaching kids water safety is the number one way to prevent drowning. Your gift helps us save lives through high impact programs, including:
- 4th Grade Water Safety
- Swim Lessons for low income children
TACKLING HEALTH CHALLENGES
The Y is dedicated to tackling our community’s greatest health challenges by providing the support, guidance and resources people need to fight chronic disease and lead healthier lives. Your gift helps change the outcome for people facing significant health challenges and improve quality of life for our whole community through high impact programs, including:
- LIVESTRONG at the YMCA
With nearly 12 million cancer survivors in the United States today, we've joined the fight, and are fully committed to enhancing the well-being of cancer survivors from diagnosis through all stages of recovery. - Prescribe the Y
A 12-week referral evidence based program for children ages 6 to 12 years with a BMI of 85% or higher. Participation in this program offers families support, guidance, and resources needed to establish healthier eating patterns and a more physically active lifestyle. Prescribe the Y will teach kids and families to enjoy exercise and learn how to make healthy choices.
ENGAGING PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES
At the Y, we recognize that for our communities to succeed everyone must be given the opportunity to thrive regardless of physical or mental ability. We celebrate the unique talents and abilities of every individual and provide everyone with access to the support and resources they need to thrive. Your gift helps us engage people of all abilities through high impact programs that change lives, including:
- WHIM, or Wheelchair Health in Motion, is a wellness program designed for both wheelchair users and individuals with low mobility and focuses on upper-body strength routines and aerobic exercise. Participants learn about health and wellness topics that are relevant to them and the group setting provides them a chance to socialize and connect with people who understand them.
- Group wellness and active classes that cater to members with disabilities and active seniors including several water exercise classes, a wheelchair tennis program, and wheelchair group exercise classes.
- We recently remodeled our wellness center to offer equipment for all members to use their abilities for a cardio workout, an upper body workout, a lower body workout, or a workout that combines both. Very few facilities in southern New Hampshire offer the variety of workouts for all levels of ability that we offer. The equipment has been so popular that we are looking into providing more options for upper torso workouts.
- We also just recently built an accessible playground at the YMCA Allard Center that is open to the community so that younger community members can enjoy social active play with their peers.
