Young Mens Christian Assn of St Joseph, Missouri

Established in 1882, the Young Men's Christian Association of St. Joseph, Missouri has a long history of service to the community. The organization is currently in the 125th year of operation as one of the largest social services organizations in Northwest Missouri. Mission Statement: To put Christian Principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind,and body for all.The St. Joseph Family YMCA has a service area that reaches 17 school districts that includes Buchanan, Nodaway, Andrew, and Holt counties in Missouri. In our service area, 43% of our 19,777 students qualify for free or reduced lunches and 14% of our youth 18 and under fall below the Federal Poverty Level. The median household income in our five county areas is $34,159 which is well below the state average of $48,050. In the calendar year 2007, 817 persons received financial assistance to participate in the YMCA programs.In 2007, the St. Joseph Family YMCA provided $1,009,910 in financial assistance and reduced fees to the community. The growth of the area and the YMCA has been synonymous. Our YMCA is the only YMCA or recreational facility within a 35 mile radius in Northwest Missouri. The demographics of the YMCA mirror that of the greater St. Joseph area. We currently have a couple of programs for People with Disabilities however we would like to expand and offer some new programs. In our area we have over 600 atheletes registered with the Special Olympics and in some conversations we have discussed programs for children as young as preschool age and up.