YMCA of Greater Nashua

In 2021 we taught over 2000 children to swim in our traditional swim lessons and 209 adults through instruction and triathlon club. In addition we served 50 children in the ‘Safety Around Water’ swim program at a free or reduced rate. Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children under 12, particularly children from low-income families. The Y teaches swim lessons, offers scholarships for those lessons, and partners with school systems to help all kids be proficient swimmers. Our Storm swim team worked with 187 swimmers toward an ultimate goal of providing age appropriate training that enables swimmers to reach their full potential while helping in the mental, emotional, and social development of all our swimmers. Our goals are to develop within each swimmer the desire to succeed, a willingness to work hard, self-discipline and self-reliance, a sense of sportsmanship, and loyalty to other team members, the coaches, and to the YMCA.

• The bonds among participants in the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program have been life changing. We are in our fifth year offering LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, a research-based physical activity and well-being initiative that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals. The LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program is available to cancer survivors and their families in the Greater Nashua community. The Y engages cancer survivors through an approach that focuses on the whole person. Participants work with trained Y staff to build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility and endurance, and improve functional ability. In addition to physical benefits, the program also focuses on the emotional well-being of survivors by providing a supportive community environment where people affected by cancer can connect during treatment and beyond. To date, 411 people have enrolled in the program, including 87 this past year. Many participants have stayed active and engaged in the program after graduating by serving as mentors to new enrollees.

We graduated 56 students from our third class from the YMCA Superhero Training Academy. After much success in Hudson, we added another Superhero Training Academy program at the City of Nashua’s Title 1 Preschool program working with 45 low-income four year olds. In addition to the initial program, these Superheroes also receive free swim lessons so they can help the world on land and at sea! Teachers and guidance counselors were concerned about these children, but their needs did not fit into traditional at-risk services offered. Y staff developed Superhero Training Academy to teach the kids about being strong in their mind and body, showing great character and leadership and developing their own superhero persona who works to improve their school community.

• This fall we launched the second year of the YMCA Achievement Center (YAC) at Hudson Memorial School. Y leadership and the Hudson School District developed the concept of a YAC to address needs of 6th-8th grade students through providing social and emotional learning and creating an overall culture of positivity within a middle school setting. The YAC is an innovative way to address the needs of middle schoolers through creating an environment that focuses on helping students to experience positive emotions, teaching character values, and identifying student strengths. Research shows that when students experience positive emotions and are able to utilize their strengths, they are able to develop important social and psychological assets to draw upon, which can be effective in impacting long-term academic outcomes. Rivier University’s Department of Education is providing formal, independent program evaluation to assess short-term measures of happiness, self-esteem and grit as well as long-term changes in student attendance, behavior infractions and academic performance before and after participation in the YAC program. Results from the first round of data collection for the program are very promising, demonstrating that most students experienced a boost in their self-esteem (64%), happiness (56%), and grit (49%). Here’s a quote from one of the YAC students: “In this class, I have enjoyed many new experiences such as journaling, meditating, and performing random acts of kindness. One random act of kindness that was a very special moment for me was drawing hand-made Christmas cards for the local nursing home. It made me feel good to spread kindness and holiday cheer. This experience has taught me to be kind, positive, grateful, brave, and so much more!”