THE Y BEGINS WITH YOU
Over the past 150 years, the Y's success has been shaped by the people who make it come alive. Every milestone, every achievement and every moment of progress is a testament to YOU — our supporters, members, participants, volunteers, staff and community who are the heart and soul of our organization. At the Y, families, individuals and kids create lasting memories, build community and accomplish their goals. We can’t do it without YOU.
There is no organization uniquely positioned like the Y to address community health, from cradle to career. At the Denver Y, kids and teens learn skills, make friends and grow happy and healthy in our programs while families find support. These life-changing opportunities are available to all, because of your generous support. When you give to the Denver YMCA, YOU are part of a powerful movement — where our community thrives.
YOUTH SPORTS
All Kids Deserve to Play
So many of us have childhood memories of YMCA Youth Sports — the high-fives from teammates, the encouraging words from coaches, the feeling of strength as we ran, played, learned and grew. At the Y, we stand tall for the belief that all kids deserve these memories — and the lifetime benefits of being physically active and playing sports.
READ MORE: Passing on Life Lessons and a Passion for Basketball
KIDS NEED SPORTS MORE THAN EVER
76%
of U.S. kids aged 6-17 get fewer than 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
67%
of Colorado kids under age 15 spend 3+ hours per day on a screen.
1 in 5
kids ages 3–17 have a mental health disorder.
OUR COMMUNITY'S CHALLENGE
Youth sports participation is declining because many families can't afford it. The average age when kids drop out of sports is 11, and younger still for girls, youth of color and kids in low-income communities.
OUR YMCA'S SOLUTION
We know that sports and physical activity are an integral part of children's growth and development. Our Youth Sports programs not only promote physical health in kids but also help them develop lifelong confidence, teamwork and perseverance.
WHO BENEFITS
Kids increase skills, self-esteem and leadership capacity.
Families have better mental and physical health.
Communities have lower rates of chronic health conditions.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Y invented basketball, volleyball and racquetball!
OUT OF SCHOOL TIME
Supporting Families So They Can Thrive
What happens before class starts and after the school bell rings? For thousands of kids in Denver YMCA Out of School Time (OST) care programs, that's when the learning, friendship and fun begin. And for their parents and care-givers, it's when they breathe a sigh of relief, knowing their child has high-quality care as well as academic support, social emotional learning and nutritious meals.
70%
of families have both parents working full-time to manage the rising costs of living.
77%
of Denver parents said that, without after school programs, they would have to reduce their working hours or stop working altogether.
2 MONTHS
is the average learning loss students experience over summer without intervention.
OUR COMMUNITY'S CHALLENGE
Lack of access to affordable, quality child care keeps many parents from working, finding financial stability and providing fully for their failies. Meanwhile, outside of school hours, many children lack safety, connection and learning opportunities.
OUR YMCA'S SOLUTION
Each year, more than 2,000 kids get academic enrichment, character development and mental health support in the safe environment of our Out of School Time programs. And, through YMCA Power Scholars, more than 300 elementary school students receive free math and literacy support to minimize summer learning loss.
WHO BENEFITS
Kids have better attendance and academic achievement.
Families get the support they need to thrive.
Communities have a strong workforce and economy.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Y is one of the largest nonprofit providers of before and afterschool care in the U.S., serving 480,000 children annually.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
For a Lifelong Love of Learning
In our complex world, caregivers must constantly make tough decisions, but when they choose Y Academy, they are making the best choice for their child's early education and development. Here, infants, toddlers and preschoolers gain the skills necessary for school and academic success, while also building independence, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.
READ MORE: YMCA member drawn to warm, welcoming Y Academy environment for child care
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CHILD CARE
In Denver
families spend a staggering 28% of their household income on child care — four times the threshold the U.S. Department of Human Services deems affordable.
In Colorado
there are more children than licensed child care spots available — the economic impact of this shortage is in the billions.
OUR COMMUNITY'S CHALLENGE
The cost and accessibility issues of child care make it challenging for many families to secure high-quality care. Children without care means caregivers without jobs, which negatively impacts our workforce, our economy and our society.
OUR YMCA'S SOLUTION
Curriculum-focused and family-centered, Y Academy provides quality child care for our youngest community members in an inclusive, welcoming place, with easy access to Y sports, swim lessons and art and dance classes. Children gain life and academic skills and discover a sense of belonging.
WHO BENEFITS
Kids learn, grow and prepare for kindergarten in a safe and welcoming place.
Families have the support they need to thrive.
Communities have a strong workforce and economy.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Y, an experienced community provider of quality early childhood education programs, operates 1,400+ ECE centers across the country.
SUMMER CAMP
Denver's Largest Summer Camp
For today's young people growing up in a high-pressure, technology-driven world, summer camp is a source of physical activity and social development that is essential for their emotional well-being and mental health. Every year, thousands of kids learn, grow and make lifelong memories together at Denver YMCA Summer Camp.
WORKING FAMILIES NEED SUMMER CAMP
70%
of families have both parents working full-time to manage the rising costs of living.
67%
of Colorado kids under age 15 spend 3+ hours per day on a screen.
1 IN 5
kids ages 3–17 have a mental health disorder.
OUR COMMUNITY'S CHALLENGE
With the vast majority of families relying on the income of two parents, kids need care and learning that extends beyond the school year. Left with too much solo time in screen-filled environments, our kids don't get the social connection and developmental experiences they need to thrive.
OUR YMCA'S SOLUTION
Denver Y Summer Camp welcomes 5,000 children at more than 15 sites each year. Y campers engage in 100,000+ hours of physical movement and 50,000 hours of educational activities. Our campers represent more than 30 different ethnicities — offering a unique opportunity for kids to learn about diverse cultures and identities.
WHO BENEFITS
Kids gain new skills, positive relationships and a sense of belonging.
Families get the support they need to thrive.
Communities have healthier kids, physically and mentally.
DID YOU KNOW?
Across the U.S., 546,000 kids and teens participated in YMCA summer day camp.
AQUATICS
America's Most Trusted Swim Instructor
The YMCA introduced our country to group swim lessons more than a century ago and now teaches more than a million children across the nation — especially those most at-risk of drowning — invaluable water safety and swimming skills each year. The YMCA provides everything from parents & tot classes to youth swim team to lifeguard training. We believe everyone deserves to become strong, confident and safe swimmers.
SWIM LESSONS SAVE LIVES
1-4
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4.
3X
Children of color are at least three times more likely to drown.
$
Access to swim instruction can be limited by lack of nearby pools and the cost of lessons.
OUR COMMUNITY'S CHALLENGE
Water is everywhere in our world — and while it can mean hours of fun and exploration for kids, it can also mean real danger for those who haven't yet developed their water smarts.
OUR YMCA'S SOLUTION
YMCA swim lessons and aquatics programs teach children how to swim as well as equip them with life-saving knowledge of water safety. The Y also offers lifeguard training, serving as a first job for many young people. Each year, nearly 2,000 kids participate in our proven-effective swim lessons with our Y-certified instructors.
WHO BENEFITS
Kids get physical activity, a love of swimming and life-saving skills.
Families have children with higher self-esteem and confidence.
Communities have reduced instances of drowning.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Y invented swim lessons, rotary breathing and the breaststroke!
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING
Building Strong, Healthy Communities
The YMCA is the leading in-person provider of evidence-based chronic disease prevention and management programs, which address issues like diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, falls and cancer. At the Denver YMCA, we improve our community's health by offering programs and services that promote overall well-being — from fitness classes and social activities to lifestyle coaching and healthy living curricula.
READ MORE:
Colorado's Diabetes rate is lowest in the U.S. That's only half the story, USA Today
Will work(out) for health - local physician shares her journey
Y PROGRAMS HELP PREVENT & ADDRESS HEALTH ISSUES
29M
U.S. adults have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and one in three have prediabetes.
1 in 3
U.S. adults has high blood pressure, putting them at risk for stroke and heart disease.
Impact
Chronic diseases and conditions disproportionately affect Black and Latino people due to systemic health inequities.
I am 92 years old and have been coming to the YMCA since 1983. I attend three classes a week and look forward to every minute. The staff and instructors...are a very important part of my life. I am as healthy as I am partly because of the Y.
— BJ, Member
I'm more mobile now than I've been in years. I enjoy living again. I don't know where I'd be today without the Y.
— Alice, Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring and Diabetes Prevention Program participant
OUR COMMUNITY'S CHALLENGE
Chronic health conditions plague our nation, resulting in skyrocketing medical costs, damaged quality of life and often early death. They impact us all, as most of us know and love someone with a chronic condition.
OUR YMCA'S SOLUTION
Our Diabetes Prevention Program, Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, LiveStrong for cancer survivors and Parkinson's fitness classes reach those in need with customized support. Last year, 10,000 members improved their health at our centers, and health care providers sent 1,200+ referrals to our disease prevention programs.
WHO BENEFITS
People with chronic conditions get resources to live longer.
Families develop healthy habits together.
Communities have reduced health care costs.
DID YOU KNOW?
The YMCA was the setting for an NIH study of the CDC-created Diabetes Prevention Program, which proved the program effective in preventing type 2 diabetes.
MAKE AN IMPACT. MAKE HISTORY. GIVE TO THE Y.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, these life-changing opportunities are available to all. Your contribution directly supports meaningful scholarships, innovative programs and critical training that empowers kids and strengthens families. When you give to the Y, you become part of a powerful movement — uniting people across generations, fostering growth and creating a stronger, more connected community where everyone can thrive.