The YMCA of Clay County is in the business of making a difference in people's lives!
See how we have impacted these families!

Youth Sports

 Mandy came in to register her children for our Youth Basketball program. She asked about the possibility of getting financial assistance for her boys. She said that it was difficult to allow all the kids to do something like basketball because she has 4-year-old triplets! Hank and Hayden both wanted to play while Hannah said that she would just watch. The scholarship was soon approved and the boys started practice. Hannah then wanted to play and have fun like the boys! The scholarship program created an opportunity for all three kids to play on the team that Dad ended up coaching! The smiles and excitement on all four faces opening day was priceless!

Making Connections

 

Ian’s mom approached the staff during our annual Halloween at the Y event to tell us how much our YMCA Summer Day Camp had helped their family. She said that their family moved to the area during the spring semester of school. She noted that her son had a very difficult time with the transition. He didn’t like school and has a difficult time making friends. He was not happy, which affected the entire family. They registered Ian for the YMCA Summer Day Camp. She noted that the welcoming attitude of the staff broke the ice. They helped Ian to meet kids his age and helped him to begin building real connections with the other children. He loved camp. He returned to school this fall with a new attitude. He was ready to go to school and make new friends. He is now attending our School Age Child Care program and participated in soccer and basketball with the YMCA.

Child Care

I first spoke to Mom by phone. She called, like many parents do, to inquire about our Summer Camp. She said that she had a son that was finishing 6^th grade in Parke County but that she was working in Brazil. She said that many childcare programs were not set-up to care for special needs kids like her son. We were excited to tell her that we could not only handle his wheelchair and other special needs, but we were delighted that they had chosen us to care for him.

 

Mom said later that although her son had more challenges than the average 12 year old, she had no issues or concerns at all with the YMCA summer day camp program. She noted that our staff had a lot to do with that. The program adapted to his needs by having one-on-one assistance during swim time at the pool. He adapted to the program by finding new ways to participate in games and activities while in his wheel chair. He was a favorite of the kids in the program as well as the staff. He loved having his peers around him and they loved offering a helping hand when it was needed. Mom reported that her son felt comfortable and well accepted. He said his favorite things were basketball, swimming and the Race Car video game in the YMCA game room. He was very excited on our fishing field trip when he was the first kid to catch a fish!