WHATCOM FAMILY YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
Community is Our Cause.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
>Chronic Disease >Senior Isolation >Limited Access to Childcare and Youth Development >Food Insecurity >Teens at-risk >Drowning
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Camps
NO ONE DOES CAMP LIKE THE Y!
YMCA day camps offer a safe atmosphere where youth and teens may enjoy their summer break. To deliver on the Y's commitment to nurture the potential of every child, our programs help campers discover their passions and form healthy relationships. All of our camps place special emphasis on youth choice, achievement and a sense of belonging.
ADVENTURE CAMP
Kids have a fantastic summer experience at several locations throughout the county. Two weeks of camp will take place at beautiful Camp Saturna on Silver Lake.
GIRLS ON THE RUN CAMP
Our 1-week camps build self-esteem and culminate in a celebratory run around the lake.
JR. COUNSELOR PROGRAM
(Teen Leadership Camp)
A great opportunity for teens in grades 9-12 to earn leadership skills and have fun in a camp environment.
LEADERS-IN-TRAINING PROGRAM
(Teen Leadership Camp)
Teens entering grades 7-9 will spend one week developing leadership skills and another week with Adventure Camp utilizing those skills.
OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE
Kids can spend the night at the YMCA playing games and having fun with great staff.
SPRING BREAK CAMPS
Kids spend their spring break with fantastic counselors and have fun at the Y.
TRAIL BLAZERS CAMP
Children explore the trails set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Padden.
WINTER BREAK CAMPS
Our winter camps provide a fun, safe environment when kids are on winter break.
Y'S KIDS SUMMER ENRICHMENT
(Licensed Summer Care)
This licensed summer program provides morning STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art & Math) learning and camp activities in the afternoon.
Childcare & Teens
With so many demands on today's families, parents need all the support they can get. That's why we're here to help. The Y provides a safe place to learn foundational skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships and build self-reliance through the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
ADVENTURE CLUB
(County After School Care - Meridian and Nooksack School Districts)
This program provides a safe space after school for kids in the Nooksack and Meridian School Districts.
CHILD WATCH
(Drop-in Child Care - Bellingham YMCA Only)
YMCA Members can utilize Child Watch, while remaining in the facility (for ages 3 months-9 years, space is limited).
EARLY LEARNING
(Downtown Bellingham and Barkley Early Learning Centers)
The goal of early childhood development programs is for children to be well prepared to enter school. Our programs are licensed by the Washington State Department of Health & Human Services.
SCHOOL'S OUT DAYS
(Full Day program when schools are on breaks)
The Y offers a variety of programs for teens (grades 6-8). From school's out days to Youth & Government and more!
TEEN PROGRAMS
(Jr. Counselor, Leaders-in-Training, Middle School Adventure Days, Youth & Government and Youth Institute)
The Y offers a variety of programs for teens (grades 6-8). From school's out days to Youth & Government and more!
Y's KIDS BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE
(Licensed Before & After School Program in Bellingham and Ferndale School Districts and St. Paul's Academy)
Designed with the needs of the family in mind, Y's Kids gives parents a safe, affordable and convenient child care program on which they can depend. This program provides a variety of activities that encourage, excite and enrich during those critical hours between home and school.
Health, Fitness, & Chronic Disease Prevention
HEALTHIER EVERYDAY
Members can take a class, train with friends, work out in the Wellness Center—try it all at any of our three YMCA program centers; Bellingham, Ferndale and Lynden.
ACT! ACTIVELY CHANGING TOGETHER
(Family Nutrition and Activity Class - Licensed Health Care Provider referral required)
Specially trained Y staff offer guidance and encouragement for eating well, playing often and preventing health conditions associated with being overweight.
ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS
Seniors can connect with the Y community through physical fitness, social activities and more. Programs for older adults accommodate a wide variety of interests and functional abilities.
COMMUNITY HEALTH
(Healthy Living Evidence Based Programs)
The Whatcom Family YMCA offers a variety of healthy living evidence based programs to improve the lives of those facing chronic disease.
ENHANCE®FITNESS
(Arthritis Management)
An off site senior fitness class whose focus is strength, improved balance, and increased endurance to help maintain activities of daily living.
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES
Y members can attend a variety of fitness classes that are included in membership. Cardio, cycling, strength, yoga and water exercise.
LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA
(For cancer survivors)
Promoting the importance of physical activity in the transitional period between cancer diagnosis, treatment, and finding a "new normal."
MARTIAL ARTS
Martial arts build discipline, confidence and poise. We offer programs for individuals and families.
PEDALING FOR PARKINSON'S
Fast pedaling is not a cure of Parkinson’s disease and should not be touted as such, but there is compelling evidence to show that it does make a real difference for many who try it.
TAI CHI & QIGONG
Tai chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called "medication in motion." - Harvard medical School publication
WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
This 12-week program will help participants achieve their nutrition, physical activity, and weight loss goals.
WELLNESS CENTER
(Weight Room)
A session with a personal trainer help members meet their goals. Whether they need post physical therapy help or have specific goal in mind, our training team can design a program to help anyone achieve success.
YMCA DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
Sports & Leagues
The Whatcom Family YMCA's Sports programs serve more than 2,000 people every year, providing kids and adults with skills and teamwork.
ADULT SPORTS & LEAGUES
From basketball to volleyball, we offer a range of fun, healthy activities for adults of all ages and fitness levels.
CLIMBING WALL
Climb to new heights at the Whatcom Family YMCA climbing wall. Certified staff and equipment are provided for anyone age 4 to adult.
DANCE
From ballet to hip hop, our dance programs help children gain skills, balance while having fun.
FUTSAL
Futsal is a variation of soccer played on a hard court surface with rules that create an emphasis on creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces.
GIRLS ON THE RUN
Girls in grades 3rd-5th learn life skills through dynamic interactive lessons and running games.
GYMNASTICS
From tumbling to super heroes, our gymnastics programs help children gain skills, balance while having fun.
LITTLE SPORTS PROGRAMS
Our summer Little Sports programs introduce kids ages 3-9 to different sports while making friends, building teamwork, and having fun.
TRAIL BLAZERS
Kids in grades 2nd-5th can get out into nature and explore the beautiful trails of Whatcom County.
YOUTH BASKETBALL CLINICS & LEAGUES
Our Winter basketball program helps children to experience the basic skills of the sport.
YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL
By introducing the basic skills of football in a safe environment, this program helps children find a love for the sport.
YOUTH SOCCER CLINICS & LEAGUES
Our soccer program helps introduce the sport of soccer to kids ages 3-9 in Bellingham and ages 3-8 in Lynden & Ferndale.
YOUTH TEEBALL-BASEBALL CLINICS & LEAGUES
From using a tee, to learning to hit, and coaching and machine pitch, our teeball-baseball program helps children learn the basics of the game.
Aquatics
BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN THE WATER
The YMCA has long been America’s favorite swimming instructor. The aquatics programs at the Y are about more than just the techniques and skills; they are about building friendships, developing self-esteem and creating positive experiences that will last a lifetime.
Many of our locations offer indoor, outdoor, heated, multi-purpose and lap pools, providing varied aquatics opportunities all year long.
FREE SAFETY AROUND WATER
The world is 70% water; children are 100% curious. This FREE program is for non-swimmers ages 5-11.
SWIM LESSONS
Infants, kids, teens and adults can participate in swim lessons.
SWIM TEAM
This competitive program offers children and teens ages five to 18 years an opportunity to work with trained coaches to improve swimming skills, endurance and promote a healthy lifestyle.
LIFEGUARD COURSE
Participants gain the skills and knowledge you need to provide care and act in an emergency through our lifeguard training course.
MASTERS SWIM PROGRAM
Masters Swim Program is a fun, motivating way to improve strokes and fitness.
UNDERWATER HOCKEY
A decades-old sport that boasts an international following. Underwater hockey combines speed, agility, strength and strategy, and a big dose of FUN!
Community Shower Pass Program
Our Community Shower Pass program is a county-wide effort to provide basic hygiene—and hope. When people feel comfortable with themselves, they can confidently socialize with others, take charge of their lives, and define their futures. For some people who may not have bathed in months, having a shower can completely change their outlook, as if their self-doubt gets washed away with the dirt. It is beautiful, and heartbreaking, to witness that transformation. A single shower can lead to people getting hired, finding housing, or overcoming addiction.
To assist this part of our community, the Y has partnered with 22 agencies and organizations which work directly with the homeless. We send each an allotted amount of shower passes every month, which can be used at our facilities—downtown Bellingham, Ferndale, and Lynden. When participants check in, they are warmly welcomed by our staff and provided a clean towel, wash cloth, soap, and entrance to the Y’s community showers.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total dollar amount of scholarship awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We provide scholarships to people in need with for the following: Early Learning Programs Active Older Adult Membership Before & After School Care and Camps Membership Community Outreach Groups
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Whatcom Family YMCA aims to address the county’s most critical social needs, with a focus on the most vulnerable and underserved.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Y is community centered. For over 130 years, we’ve been listening and responding to our communities.
The Y brings people together. We connect people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gaps in community needs. The Y nurtures potential. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. We mobilize the community to affect lasting, meaningful change.
Three Areas of Focus:
Youth Development
We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve.
Healthy Living
We believe we have a responsibility to make a positive and measurable impact on the community’s health.
Social Responsibility
We believe communities are strongest when all people have the opportunity to participate, connect and thrive.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Y has been a big part of Whatcom County for nearly 130 years, and it plans to continue on this path for 130 more. We are experts in chronic disease prevention programming, early learning and after school care, senior wellness, aquatics, and much more! We are constantly exploring new ways to grow will help ensure we are in the best possible position to serve the community's needs for years to come.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2019, we provided over $632,000 in financial assistance to people in need with the following breakdown:
20% Community Outreach Groups
19% Programs
18% Active Older Adult Membership
18% Before & After School Care and Camps
12% Membership
12% Early Learning
Prior to COVID-19, some highlights of our service impact in 2019 are as follows:
>The Y offered over 50 programs, which fall under our pillars of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
>The Y served over 16,000 people.
>The Y employed 430 people.
>In Whatcom County, our Y is the largest provider of childcare in the county.
>835 Girls on the Run and Trail Blazer participants gained confidence, got active, and achieved the goal of completing a 5K race.
>210 youth, families, and adults learned healthier habits through our Chronic Disease Prevention programs.
>693 youth gained confidence and learned water safety skills.
>3,196 showers were provided to the homeless in our community.
>Over 1,946 volunteers served their community through the Y.
In 2020:
>Over 3,300 seniors have attended online fitness classes
>8,000+ boxes of food have been delivered by Y vehicles and staff
>600+ calls have been made to seniors and members to maintain connections
>250+ people participated in our Youth Running Challenge and YMCA Virtual 5K
>160 children of emergency and essential workers received care during the main shutdown
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
WHATCOM FAMILY YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
Board of directorsas of 11/01/2022
Pamela Kiesner
Bellingham Public Library (retired)
Term: 2018 -
Bryce Fegley
Saturan Capital
Kyle Gebhardt
Strider Construction
Sean Hegstad
Haven Design Workshop
Pamela Kiesner
Bellingham Public Library (retired)
Vinson Latimore
Gibraltar Senior Living
Beverly Mayhew
PeaceHealth
Ron Richardson
WECU
Pat Simons
BP
Kirsten Barron
Barron Smith Daugert PLLC
Brandi Civico
Phillips 66
Giang Ha
Haskell Corporation
Julia Parker
Columbia Bank
Justin Remaklus
Whatcom Advisory, LLC
Shannon Terrell
Brooks Manufacturing
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
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Gender identity
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Transgender Identity
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Sexual orientation
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Disability
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