This summer YMCA staff and board volunteers worked with community leaders to look forward on how the Y can have meaningful impact across Naperville. Two well-attended workshops helped develop strategies around our YMCA mission.
The mission of the YMCA is to develop strong children, families and communities across Metropolitan Chicago through academic readiness, character development, violence prevention and fitness and healthy living.
Our summer workshops first defined what the four components (pillars) meant to the communities we serve. We then developed high level action plans on how we can deliver upon this mission through programs and services and through collaborative efforts with other organizations.
Our four mission pillars are defined as follows…
Academic Readiness focuses on a learning mindset and the resources for succeeding from early childhood through adulthood. It isn’t just about improving grades. It means preparing children with the skills, attitudes and resources to lead and succeed in their next step.
Character Development focuses on developing youth’s interpersonal skills such as forming positive relationships and developing healthy self concept. Positive character development is a strong predictor of a child’s future success in school and life.
Preventing Youth Violence is an important part of promoting the health and safety of youth and communities. Chronic exposure to violence can place youth at risk of anxiety, depression and low self esteem. Reducing adverse childhood experiences, building community protective factors and strengthening resiliency are key.
Fitness and Healthy Living is a concept of wellness that ties regular physical activity and nutrition to a strong mind and body. A healthy lifestyle can help people gain self confidence and reduce depression, maintain a healthy weight, stave off chronic disease and early death.
We currently have four teams to champion these four pillars and are excited about our future. If you are passionate about any of these four areas and would like to contribute your time or energy, please contact me at the Y.
On another note, the 8th Annual YMCA Dinner & Live Auction In Memory of Ron Buonauro will be held on Sept. 29 at Bella Familia. For more information, call Jane Bowers at (630) 420-0960.
