Making a Difference EVERY DAY
safety around water
Richard Kane Family YMCA
Seven-year-old Kevin had a fear of drowning. This made him timid and unable to relax around water. But when swimming lessons were offered at the Richard Kane YMCA in Bartlesville through his school, he was able to participate. Kevin initially was hesitant and unsure, but as the week progressed, something changed in him. He began to relax and find confidence in the water, learning to float and to do a basic backstroke.
His mother, Veronica, who volunteered with the program, said, “It was amazing to see all the different skill levels among kids. Some children, who didn’t have the best skill level, were over-confident and began to realize what they could really do and what they couldn’t. Other children who were shy and fearful were able to develop a better relationship with the water. . . All children were able to take away respect for the water and better skills than when they started.”
The swimming lessons at the YMCA were offered free of charge to all second-graders at 7 participating elementary schools in Bartlesville. Each group participated in a week of lessons and free swimsuits were given to students who did not have them.
Children were taught life-saving skills such as how to flip and float, an energy conserving technique for deeper water. They also learned either beginning, intermediate or advanced swimming skills, depending on their level entering the program.
Drowning is the leading cause of injury or death among children one to four years of age in the U.S. “This is a program that can reach children who may never have the opportunity to have a formal swim lesson again,” YMCA Executive Director Robert Phillips said. The Learn to Swim program offered by the Richard Kane YMCA is part of a partnership with the Y and the Bartlesville Regional YMCA.
Eating smart and living better
Greater Tulsa YMCA
Like many people, Marit struggled with her weight. A combination of a family weight loss challenge and a company screening revealing that she was pre-diabetic inspired her to join the Y's Diabetes Prevention Program (YDPP).
Positive results including nutrition education, a meal-tracking app on her phone, and some exercise gave her the confidence needed to begin attending Y group exercise classes.
Marit spent those 16 weeks in YDPP re-learning the basics she had always heard but never quite understood. She is working out routinely and says she feels fantastic - living at an energy level she hasn't seen in ten years. Marit's results have even inspired her sister to join the Y in her hometown.
Marit calls the YDPP's impact on her life "dramatic" - her success is inspiring and her smile is contagious!
Frank Lucas Visits the Great Plains family YMCA
Shane Pratt, CEO of the Great Plains Family YMCA, as well as staff and volunteers hosted a visit from Rep. Frank Lucas on August 29. During the visit, Rep. Lucas was able to tour the YMCA and learn about the impact the Y is having not only in Weatherford, but across Oklahoma’s Western Congressional District and throughout the state. Rep. Lucas was in town to help kick-off the launch of a new Food Resource Center, which is a project of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. As a part of his visit to Weatherford Rep. Lucas also made time to visit the several other non-profits including the YMCA.
Serving Oklahomans
442,617
People Served
127,903
Kids and Teens Nurtured
14,846
Volunteers Engaged
154,676
Hours of Volunteer Service
$3,325,534
Value of Volunteer Hours
$8,934,520
Financial Assistance Awarded
$181,715
In-Kind Space Provided