IMPACT Newsletter - June 2016An update on generous contributions in motion throughout the Capital District YMCA

SAFETY AROUND WATERAs a leader in water safety education, the Capital District YMCA teaches more than 5,104 kids how to swim each year. Swimming and other water-based activities promote youth development and can be lifelong pursuits for staying healthy.

Teaching children to be safe in and around water is so important to us at the Y because drowning poses a serious threat to children nationwide. It is the leading cause of accidental death for children one to four years of age. At the Y, everything we do is in service to making us — as individuals and as communities — better. That’s why every branch of the Capital YMCA offers Safety Around Water, a program that teaches children (and adults) safe ways to enjoy aquatic activities.

Call to Action: 1. Appoint a water watcher who keeps constant visual contact with kids.2. Establish and enforce rules like no breath- holding games or playing near drains.3. Maintain caution around bodies of water whether pool or natural bodies.

YOUTH IN MOTIONThis new program is presented by the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), the Capital District YMCA, and the Saratoga Regional YMCA, in association with the National Dance Institute.

In Celebration of SPAC’s 50th Anniversary, they’re joining hands with the Capital District YMCA, the Saratoga Regional YMCA, and the National Dance Institute (NDI) in New York City to present a new dance education/fitness program called The Performance Project: Youth in Motion. This program is an exciting opportunity for children between the ages of 9 and 12 to express their uniqueness, be part of a team, and LEARN TO DANCE! This program is offered at no cost to youth from socio-economic challenged communities.

Beginning on June 27th, master teaching artists from NDI will visit the Southern Saratoga YMCA every morning, teaching highly energetic and creative dance classes that provide fundamental instructions in a wide array of fun, contemporary dance styles. The program will culminate on July 8th, when these 40 young dancers from the Capital District YMCA are joined by another group of 30 young dancers from the Saratoga Regional YMCA and

30 members of the National Dance Institute’s own Celebration Team, to perform a choreographed dance piece as a pre-show to that evening’s performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

This celebratory performance, occurring on the precise day that the venue first opened its doors to the public in 1966, will represent both SPAC’s and the YMCAs’ commemorative dedication to the community for its unequivocal passion and support!

GEEKING OUT IS COOLBeginning in 2016, a unique collaboration was formed to ensure that children have opportunities to explore, discover, and imagine their world. The Capital District YMCA (the Y), the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), and the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST) joined forces to offer a 20-week science, technology, engineering, arts, and math — STE(a)M — based after school program in eleven Capital District YMCA Afterschool programs.

Students in grades 2 to 5 are introduced to a variety of science, technology, engineering, and math concepts through an hour-long, weekly program. This inquiry-based, hands-on program allows for learning

over the course of an academic year rather than one-shot STEM experiences. Kids explored Animals as Architects, Countertop Chemistry, Engineering, Magnetism, Nanotechnology, Weather and more!

The program and activities are designed to engage children in STE(a)M learning by allowing them to

investigate, observe, analyze, and build in a pressure-free environment.

School Districts and parents can feel confident the new program will enrich their students’ academic priorities. The Science Crew program addresses New York State and national science and technology standards. Each program is evaluated for evidence-based outcomes.

During the 2016 – 2017 academic years, nearly 200 children will participate. And thanks to the generosity of Annual Campaign donors, twelve schools will offer the program next academic year! The Y is grateful to Paul Wing, Ballston Spa National Bank, AMRI, Regeneron, Mosaic Associates, Engineered Solutions, Nigro Companies, Solutions by Design, Taconic Biosciences, CHA, and Price Chopper Foundation for sponsoring Science Crew sites!

COLLEGE BOUND READY!Charitable support of the Black & Latino Achievers Program is a solid investment, and we have the data to prove it! The Black & Latino Achievers Program will celebrate 37 senior students who will gladly don their graduation caps this month. From this senior class, 27 (75%) are attending 4 year colleges/universities; 8 (22%) are attending two-year community colleges; 1 is attending a historically Black College or University (HBCU); and 1 (1%) student will join military/national service.

This year, 263 students participated in the Achievers program, and the total graduation rate of students is 100%. The total percentage of participating students pursuing post-graduate education or vocational/military plan is also 100%.

May was Water Safety Month. Our Safety Around Water event, which welcomed fifty 4th graders from Hamilton Elementary School, was funded by the generosity of Annual Campaign donors.

Due to the generosity of Capital District YMCA donors, 40 children have been fully scholarshipped for summer day camp and The Performance Project.

Your engagement helps us ensure that students’ efforts honor the intellectual, creative, and social interests of the entire community.

On average, evaluation scores have demonstrated an increase of 53% in content knowledge related to Magnetism & Electricity and 48% for Chemistry Units.

JOIN US! July 8 Performance