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YMCA of Central Stark County

To put Christian Principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Together We Make a Difference

When you think of the Y what is the first thing that comes to mind? For me it is community, or rather a home away from home. At the Y we like to be your third space, home being first, school or work being second and the Y being third. This community feeling exists within the walls of the Y as well as outside the walls because our members, our community, make it so. They care enough to reach beyond our walls to impact the lives of others in our community.

You see the YMCA has a promise, which states “no one will be turned away due to the inability to pay”, and our communities have a strong tradition of annual giving in order to fulfill that promise. 

This year the Alliance Y Annual Campaign has really exemplified what it means to share your passion
and your story.  The Alliance Y Chair Rick Baxter challenged the Board to increase the amount of volunteer campaigners involved, truly making it a team effort.  Through this challenge, 18 Board Members became Campaign Captains, and some of the Y’s most committed members were asked to join in, and tell their Y story to encourage others to get involved on some level.  

Let me tell you about one of our new volunteers who knows firsthand the impact the Y has on a family.  Jessie Canavan has 2 children enrolled in the Y’s Afterschool Care Program which provides her with peace of mind so she can work. As a new campaigner, Jessie set the tone for giving by making an outstanding personal gift and becoming a member of the Y’s Chairman’s Round Table. She became the model of a campaigner. Jessie’s passion for the mission of the Y was evidenced by the way she shared her story and the positive impact the Y has on Youth, Families and the overall community.

It is often said it only takes a spark to start a fire and that is what Jessie was. With a passionate volunteer base and strong leadership the campaign was a success.  As a result, this tremendous turn out of support for the Y has led to the following accomplishments: 

  • More than 1000 individuals experiencing financial hardship received assistance to become members of the YMCA.  These individuals include local youth, families, low-income adults (many with special needs), group homes, and dislocated workers.
  • More than 700 second grade students were provided with the opportunity to participate in the YMCA’s Learn to Swim Program. This valuable program provides children with water safety instruction, a significant step towards reducing the risk of drowning. 
  • More than 100 youth received assistance to participate in the YMCA’s licensed After School program and Summer Camp program.  These valuable programs provide children with physical and educational activities, including homework assistance.
  • Numerous youth received assistance to participate in Youth Sports, Swim Lessons, and Teen programs, all of which are values based, and focused on improving a child’s sense of self-worth.   

Wow, you did that! Those of you that had a passion to impact and strengthen your community! The staff and I at the Alliance YMCA are grateful to Rick Baxter and the Board for their vision in lifting an already very successful campaign to an even higher level.  It has provided an amazing opportunity for the Y to impact even more youth and families in Alliance. 

And for those that volunteer and support the Y throughout Stark County – THANK YOU!
I will leave you with this, everyone has a Y story – what’s yours?

Nick Hansen

Executive Director, Alliance Family YMCA