Darien Community Young Mens Christian Association Inc

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: AT THE Y, WE GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A SAFE PLACE TO BELONG, TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND TO LEARN POSITIVE BEHAVIORS FROM STRONG ROLE MODELS WHO EXEMPLIFY THE CORE VALUES OF CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY. WHETHER IT BE CHILDCARE, EARLY EDUCATION, YOUTH SWIMMING, GYMNASTICS AND SPORTS, OR SUMMER CAMP, OUR PROGRAMS AND STAFF PROVIDE THE SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED TO HELP OUR YOUTH LEARN, GROW, AND THRIVE. 214 STUDENTS BELONGED TO THE Y'S EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM AT HOLLY POND SCHOOL WHERE CHILDREN HAD THE ABILITY TO DISCOVER THEIR POTENTIAL AND DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS. APPROXIMATELY 187 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN THE Y'S KIDS CLUB AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDED A FUN CHILDCARE OPTION FOR FAMILIES WHEN THE SCHOOL DAY ENDED. OVER $97,850 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS AWARDED TO 73 CHILDREN TO ATTEND KIDS CLUB, NURSERY SCHOOL, HOLLY CARE, OR VACATION CAMP IN 2024. MORE THAN 2,100 YOUTH BUILT A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE AND TEAMWORK WHILE STAYING ACTIVE THROUGH THE Y'S RECREATIONAL SPORTS PROGRAMS AND LEAGUES. 780 CHILDREN LEARNED TO BECOME SAFER AND MORE CONFIDENT IN THE WATER THROUGH SWIM LESSONS AT THE Y. OVER 1,000 KIDS ATTENDED SUMMER CAMP, INCLUDING CAMPERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WHERE THEY MADE NEW FRIENDS, TRIED NEW THINGS, AND MADE LASTING MEMORIES. 143 YOUNG ATHLETES PARTICIPATED IN THE HOUSE TEAM AND PIRANHA SWIM TEAM: THE Y'S COMPETITIVE AQUATIC TEAMS. THESE PROGRAMS TEACH KIDS LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS SETTING GOALS, DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP, MANAGING THEIR TIME, ALONG WITH BUILDING THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE. OUR WORLD-CLASS GYMNASTICS PROGRAM SERVES PRESCHOOL AGE CHILDREN THROUGH YOUNG ADULTS, HELPING THEM STRIVE TO BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE IN AND OUT OF THE GYM. THIS INCREDIBLE PROGRAM SERVED OVER 1,600 CHILDREN IN 2024.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Y MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INSPIRED EACH DAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS WITH SMALL AND LARGE ACTS OF KINDNESS. THESE MEMBERS' SUPPORT HAS HELPED OTHERS WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE TO HAVE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE. TURNING NO ONE AWAY: THE Y PROVIDED OVER $600,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR MORE THAN 750 INDIVIDUALS, ENSURING THAT NO ONE IS EVER TURNED AWAY FROM MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE AT THE Y. OVER 460 INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEERED OVER 6,200 HOURS AT THE Y, HELPING TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, AND ENGAGE IN PHILANTHROPY. THE Y PROUDLY SUPPORTS MANY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING HOSTING MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS FOR FELLOW NON-PROFITS, PROVIDING FACILITY USE FOR DARIEN ORGANIZATIONS, AND SERVING AS THE HOME POOL FOR THE DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL SWIM TEAM AND HOME GYM FOR THE DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASTICS TEAM. THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE AND FACILITY USAGE IS OVER $519,000. OUR 2024 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN RAISED OVER $268,000 UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ANDREW BONANNO, CHAIRPERSON, AMY BELL, JIM BOSEK, RAY DUGGINS, NICK ELSMO, DANA MASSEY, AND KELLY TORCHIANA.