IMPACT STORIES
The YMCA Alliances of Maine and New Hampshire & Vermont support collaboration amongst the states’ Ys and community partners to increase our impact and advocate for positive change in our communities. YMCAs are dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Priority Areas
The Central Lincoln County YMCA has worked with local teens to introduce the NAMI Maine's Sources of Strength program into two local high schools. Sources of Strength helps prevent suicide by increasing help-seeking behaviors and promoting connections between peers and caring adults.
Freedom, a small rural town in Carroll County New Hampshire, was struggling with the absence of quality, affordable after school care. YMCA Camp Huckins recognized the importance of this need and partnered with the school district to secure funding and design a program that would provide a safe and fun environment for local students of working parents.
Meeting Waters YMCA in Bellows Falls, Vermont, which serves over 20 communities in VT and NH, supports youth and families experiencing food insecurity. The Y has formed three partnerships to ensure their after school and summer camp program participants have access to healthy foods in the out-of-school hours.
Since its inception more than 150 years ago, YMCAs have considered mental health to be one of the three pillars of wellbeing. It can be seen in early communications in the late 1800s that directed our work. The spirit, mind, and body logo from generations ago gave equal prominence to the interconnection of mental health and physical health.
Tyler Corrado is the Night Time Supervisor at the Welcome Center in Nashua, a role he recently took on. When asked what he most enjoys about working at the Y he shared “I like being able to help people”. Tyler moved to the area when he was in middle school and quickly got involved with the Y by spending his first New Hampshire summer at Camp Spaulding.
The Y Community Little Pantry provides easily consumable foods in a low barrier setting in downtown Sanford. This model allows easy access to food for area homeless and food insecure residents who may not be able to travel to local food pantries, many of which are located outside of Sanford.
Fitness class creates camaraderie and friendships! Stop by the Central Lincoln County YMCA on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday and you’ll find a group of senior men who have become friends in our Enhance Fitness class.
Natina has 4 children, one of which is classified as having special needs and attends a special purpose early childhood program. Her three older children have participated in the Hillview Enrichment Program, a FREE Drop-In Enrichment Program in collaboration with the local Lewiston Housing Authority and the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA.
One high school teen at the Teen Center described the impact it has had on his life. “I was referred to the Teen Center by my therapist and have been attending since September 2022. I’ve been coming 2-4 days a week. I have a parent who experiences ups and downs in their sobriety and I struggle with having a stable home life.”
Mark Schoon, a key Bangor Y staff member for the program, shared a story about how the Alzheimer’s program is benefitting participants.
Tom, a current participant in the Y’s arthritis programs, explains how his health has benefited, including his social-emotional wellbeing.
The YMCA Alliance of Maine is pleased to announce that it is receiving $2.475 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to provide before/afterschool care scholarships to low-moderate income families across the state.