Dear Y Community,

If 2023 was a lesson in resilience, 2024 has been about re-ignition. Over the last year, the Capital District YMCA (CDYMCA) has coninued to bring back more beloved programs and community resources that had been dormant due to the pandemic. We have also welcomed new programs and partnerships that connect members with the information and resources they need to thrive. Beyond programming, we have also been hard at work refreshing some of our facilities, responding to the changing needs and wants of the communities we serve.

Our fiscal year kicked off with the grand opening of our Albany location on New Scotland Avenue. Accessible, modern, and with cutting-edge equipment, this location builds on what we achieved with our Evolution facility in Colonie – offering a fresh, new fitness experience that reframes what it means to work out at the Y. We also embarked on our first major renovation project of an existing YMCA facility, breaking ground on new features and community spaces to modernize the Southern Saratoga YMCA.

As pickleball has continued to take the country by storm, we have carved out more space for pickleball athletes to shine. Some CDYMCA locations now offer both indoor and outdoor spaces so that pickleball athletes can stay active, and our growing range of pickleball training programs ensure that anyone can take up this fast-paced, low-impact sport. Additionally, we have reignited our Pedaling for Parkinson’s initiative, while expanding our neuromotor wellness classes to help active older adults maintain their strength and coordination, regardless of their fitness level.

When people think about wellness, we want them to think of the YMCA. However, our staff, our board, and many of our members recognize that we are so much more than “gym and swim.”

CDYMCA has continued to grow and expand our refugee support programs. What started as a single, small English Language Learning (ELL) class is now flourishing into a series, with a growing group of volunteers supporting the expansion.

Our Youth & Government program is back, and it was great to see our young leaders at the New York State Capital again, gavels in hand, engaged with local elected officials and making their voices heard through the democratic process. This program, along with our Black and Latino Achievers program, is designed to prepare the next generation for their role as community builders.

Finally, our camp, afterschool, and educational childcare programs continue to support hundreds of working families across the Capital District, while preparing young children for their entrance into elementary school. Camp Chingachgook shined brightly this year, as our one-of-a-kind Adirondack camp has reached pre-pandemic enrollment levels, offering signals that people are ready to fearlessly “get back out there” again.

As you can see, there’s a lot to be excited about here at the Capital District YMCA. We hope you’ll join us in our efforts to come back into the community stronger and better than ever.

Dave Brown,
CEO and President, CDYMCA 

John Vero
Chair, CDYMCA Board of Directors

Interior Rendering

Evolving Wellness Spaces

The CDYMCA’s Southern Saratoga location is a major health and fitness hub for families, as it is easily accessible from the many surrounding suburban communities.

In an effort to keep pace with the changing needs and preferences of families today, CDYMCA broke ground on the first phase (of three) of renovations to the Southern Saratoga branch, which are aimed at expanding the amenities and services available to families with young children and teens.

This location will undergo quite a transformation, as new inter-generational spaces are created. An indoor climbing wall and open play space will be added for kids as an extension of existing childcare areas, and a splash pad outside will offer families more options for staying cool and active in the summer months.

Other highly-anticipated improvements include well-appointed community meeting spaces, a refreshed wellness center with new exercise equipment, and updates to the pool area.

Inspiring Impact: Neuromotor Wellness

Neuromotor Wellness is a research-based exercise program specifically for those with muscular degeneration challenges including but not limited to Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, stroke recovery, and muscle injury. The class is progressive and holds promise to slow disease progression, restore motor function, and increase longevity and quality of life.

Caretakers are not only invited - but encouraged - to attend this program at no additional cost. Expanding this program has helped more individuals with neuromotor challenges to find health and healing in a fun, safe community environment.

Along with our Pedaling for Parkinson’s program, Neuromotor Wellness is expanding access to these life changing programs for people with neutomotor challenges.

Caring for Kids, Supporting Families

The CDYMCA is the largest summer camp and childcare provider in New York’s Capital Region. We are also one of the leading early childhood education providers in the area. We understand the incredible responsibility and opportunity we have at the Y to nurture and empower the next generation. Our programs are designed to be educational, motivational, foundation-building... and a whole lot of fun!

Last year, across both summer camp and early learning programs, we provided over $500,000 in scholarships for families to access these vital programs.

CDYMCA camp and childcare programs enable parents and caregivers to maintain their employment and provide for their families with peace of mind, knowing their children are well cared for during the day. By offering a variety of structured activities, sports, free play, and social skill building, the CDYMA  builds self-confidence and school readiness in kids year round, while allowing parents and caregivers to balance work and family life. This support is essential in fostering economic stability and ensuring families can thrive. Investing in these programs not only benefits individual families but also strengthens our communities by promoting workforce participation and the healthy development of our youngest community members.

Inspiring Impact: Y-Knot

The adaptive sailing program, Y-Knot Sailing, based at YMCA Camp Chingachgook on beautiful Lake George, has had profound impacts in making sailing accessible to individuals with disabilities. By offering unique on-the-water experiences, providing supportive instructional opportunities, and promoting adaptive sailing within the broader sailing community, Y-Knot Sailing builds independence, improves safety, and fosters friendly competition, all while removing barriers.

Participants, alongside their families, friends, and volunteers, experience the joy of sailing in a fun and inclusive setting, highlighting the program’s commitment to inclusivity and empowerment on the stunning waters of Lake George.

Y for All graphic on tie-dye shirt

All are Welcomed and Celebrated

The YMCA is for everyone. As part of our ongoing efforts to build equity and inclusion in our community, we have partnered with advocacy organizations and cultural centers to expand access to heritage and identity celebrations and educational opportunities.

We believe that through shared knowledge and experiences, we can continue to break down barriers and build a more inclusive community, celebrating the beautiful things that make us all unique, while also uniting us in our shared humanity.

Growing Initiatives

The vivid colors, swirling dancers, and sparkling lights of a Diwali festival are a joy to see. CDYMCA has hosted these traditional Hindu festivals for a number of years, welcoming everyone in the community to participate in this beautiful cultural experience.

In addition, the CDYMCA has taken the lead in supporting and growing participation in the African Heritage parade, an event on Juneteenth weekend that celebrates the rich history and the many cultures of the African Diaspora. Through representation and education, the YMCA strives to celebrate the interconnectedness of our communities and the diverse and vibrant people who live in them.

The CDYMCA is also a proud participant at the Capital District Pride Parade each year, with a large team of marchers dancing to the “YMCA Song” on full blast. Every CDYMCA building proclaims the same: “Safe, inclusive, welcoming space for all.”

The Black and Latino Achievers program recognizes the unique challenges faced by Black and Latino youth and aims to provide them with essential resources, mentorship, and opportunities for academic and personal success. Participants receive academic support services like tutoring and study skills workshops. Mentorship pairs participants with guides who offer invaluable encouragement and advocacy. Leadership development workshops foster communication and teamwork. The program celebrates cultural heritage through events promoting pride and awareness. It also offers college and career readiness support, assisting with applications and financial aid. Community and civic engagement initiatives encourage participants to contribute positively to their communities, fostering social responsibility. The Black and Latino Achievers program is a vital catalyst for personal growth and community impact, nurturing future leaders within Black and Latino communities.

YMCA Volunteer Team in Vietnam

Bringing the Y Mission into the Community

Many may not be aware, but the Capital District YMCA has had an unlikely partnership with the YMCA of Greater Houston in Texas for many years. The Greater Houston YMCA started an international Services program in 1978, with a strong focus on assisting migrants. It was launched when the Houston area started to see a influx of Vietnamese immigrants.

The Greater Houston YMCA saw a need to assist these individuals and families who were coming into the community, often seeking asylum.

 

About 20 years ago, the Houston YMCA’s connection with the Vietnamese community had grownso much  that the Y inmplemented community service trips to Vietnam. Staff and volunteers would fly across the globe to help build schools, libraries, and other important community service centers. It was also an opportunity to experience the beautiful culture of the Vietnamese people.

The Capital District YMCA has partnered with the Greater Houston YMCA for years on these amazing Vietnam community service trips.

A small group of Capital District YMCA board members made the trip to Vietnam in April of this year, helping to build some facilities in a local school, and also working on a home for a widow who had lost everything when her husband died. In between construction activities, CDYMCA volunteers visited cultural landmarks, ate delicious Vietnamese food, played games with the kids at the school where they volunteered, and made many friends along the way.

The Capital District YMCA hopes to continue this unique partnership for years to come.

Inspiring Impact

Closer to home, CDYMCA’s Rifat Filkins has been growing a refugee food relief program in the Capital Region. Every week, the CDYMA works alongside our partners at the Salvation Army to circulate boxes of food, including fresh produce, to refugee families in need.

The food relief program is just one of a handful of  impactful refugee and immigrant support initiatives being led by the CDYMCA. A refugee youth soccer program has grown over the last few years to build community among refugee families relocating to the region, and expanded English Language Learning classes have continued to grow in their use and popularity, also attracting a growing number of local volunteers.

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