As part of a strategic planning process, which included surveying the community in Spring 2017 and conducting program cost analyses, the Board of Directors of the Portage Township YMCA has decided to make changes to the Y’s operations, closing some programs and redirecting resources.
The results of community surveys indicated Y’s program priorities should be engaging the family unit as a whole, and building confidence, self-esteem and creativity in youth. The Y will host focus groups in late September to further engage community stakeholders. The Board expects community feedback to inform the Y’s strategic plan through 2020. Community members interested in participating in a focus group, should email CEO Amber Alexander at amber@ymcaofportage.org.
Based on the results of the community survey and the cost analyses, the Board has decided to end the Y’s “Parent’s Night Out”, toddler and full-time daycare programs. Child care was not identified as a top community need, and market analysis shows that Portage is saturated with child care services. The last day of service for day care at the Y will be August 11, 2017, while the other two programs will finish by July 31, 2017.
“We are sad to see the childcare center and other programs close, but very excited about the programs that may utilize that space in the future to really make an impact in the areas of need identified by the community,” said Alexander. “We have several new programs coming that will be free for students and will fully support their educational, social and emotional growth. We are grateful to have the support for this work from great partners and funders like Portage Township Schools and the Porter County Community Foundation.”
The first of these programs is drug prevention education for 4th and 5th grade students in Portage Township School Corporation. The program will present evidence-based curriculum in a fun, engaging and educational manner to educate students before they reach the peak years of peer pressure for tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. The second program focuses on students from low-income environments who struggle with reading and writing at grade-level. Working with the Portage Township School Corporation, the Y will offer a six-week program that combines education and recreation to engage and ensure they maintain or even gain proficiency in their literacy skills over the summer break. The Porter County Community Foundation’s Women’s Impact Fund is funding these programs.
The Y is also upgrading its afterschool program (Y-Care), youth sports programs and active older adult programs over the next 18 months. Additionally, the Y is exploring year-round feeding program funding through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The Y will continue to run its wellness, gymnastics, sports, preschool academy and school-age programs.
The Portage Township YMCA is an IRS 501c(3) charity whose cause is to strengthen the foundation of community through programs focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. To learn more, visit www.ymcaofportage.org