Child Care
Over 19,000 Children Served
As the largest child care provider in Missouri, the Y provides youth with the tools and resources they need to succeed in life. 6,556 youth had access to safe and quality care before and after school in over 180 programs. 780 children prepared for kindergarten in early childhood education programs. 262 middle school and high school teens had access to safe and enriching activities. 11,625 kids and teens explored new interests, learned new skills and built relationships at holiday, spring break, and summer day camps.
Building Careers
5,930 Missourians Employed
Missouri YMCAs employ thousands of full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff. We are often a first-time employer for youth in our aquatics programs, child care programs, and at our facilities. We are a part-time employer for students while they complete college degrees in child development in our afterschool programs. We are a full-time employer with excellent benefits. We are a post-retirement employer for our seniors. We provide professional development opportunities for staff at all levels. This large and diverse workforce is an economic engine in our state.
Youth and Government
1,100 Teens Empowered
110 volunteers offered $30,000 in Financial Assistance for Missouri's Youth and Government is a YMCA program. Students from all over Missouri have the opportunity to immerse themselves in experimental civic engagement and to, quite literally, practice democracy. Teens meet in local groups throughout the year to discuss and debate issues that affect citizens of their state and to propose legislation. The program culminates with teens serving as delegates at their state conference, debating bills on the floor of the legislature.
Fighting Hunger
Over 2 Million Healthy Meals Served
Approximately 1 in 8 children - an estimated 177,320 Missouri youth - struggle with hunger every day. Our Ys feed children in our child care programs and in the community to ensure our youth are nourished and ready to learn. Through partnerships with food banks, schools, other nonprofits, and the USDA’s Child and Adult Food Program and Summer Food Service Program, YMCAs serve as a partner in feeding kids. Our food programs help ease the burden of rising food costs for working parents that access our programs.
Senior Well-Being
Over 76,700 Missouri Seniors Connected
Missouri Y programs help prevent social isolation in older Missouri adults by allowing them to connect and engage in meaningful activities. Small lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity, fall prevention curriculum, eating healthier and staying active socially help older adults live better. Our Ys provide a place for seniors to stay healthy, active, and connected.
Saving Lives
6,155 Youth Received Swimming Lessons and 727 Received Safety Around Water Curriculum
Drowning is the number one cause of preventable death for children ages 1-4 and is the 5th leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States. Access to swim instruction and Safety Around Water curriculum have proven to reduce the risk of drowning. Missouri YMCAs are the largest providers of swim instruction and partnered with the Department of Public Safety and many community based providers to increase access to Safety Around Water classes.