

The project is first and foremost about people. People, volunteers, members, donors, and staff, who join together in an effort to “Build” our community and reach out to youth and families.
The Annual Strong Kids Campaign is the name given to the YMCA’s annual sustaining campaign. It is one of the best adult programs we offer. A sustaining campaign extends our mission and purpose and allows us to connect volunteers, members, donors and staff.
The project is first and foremost about people. People, volunteers, members, donors, and staff, who join together in an effort to “Build” our community and reach out to youth and families.
Your Contribution Helps Make It Happen
At the YMCA, one of our most important goals has always been to enrich the lives of kids in our community.
The Annual Strong Kids Campaign is the name given to the YMCA’s annual sustaining campaign. It is one of the best adult programs we offer. A sustaining campaign extends our mission and purpose and allows us to connect volunteers, members, donors and staff.
The project is first and foremost about people. People, volunteers, members, donors, and staff, who join together in an effort to “Build” our community and reach out to youth and families.
A sustaining campaign helps our YMCA meet its charitable role as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity. As a charity we’re called on to raise money, develop donors and supporters in order to extend our work and fulfill our mission and purpose in our community.
Membership dues and program fees do not cover all costs to support vital community programs at our YMCA. We invite your support to insure that no one is denied a chance to participate because of inability to pay.
Big Goals Make a Big Difference
We ask that you please give generously so that more kids and more families in Columbus can share the YMCA experience. Donations will help families experience the positive effects of our YMCA’s programs and activities. Our success will always be measured by the lives we touch.
Scholarship Policy
It is the policy of the Columbus YMCA Board of Directors that no person be denied membership or program participation for financial reasons. Funds made available for financial assistance are provided through the generosity of the United Way and the YMCA’s Annual Strong Kids Campaign.
Partneship Programs
Each year, the YMCA collaborates with over 20 other non-profit agencies and human service organizations in an effort to address our community’s needs. These services, facility usages, program participation and /or memberships are not part of our operational budget and totaled over $44,298 in donated support in our 2006 fiscal year. Mission partners such as the Arc of Platte County, Big Pals/Little Pals, Boys & Girls Home, I Can Camp, Columbus Public Schools, Scotus CC High School, Center for Survivors & more have utilized our YMCA’s facilities and services.
Additionally, in keeping with our long-standing policy that no one is ever denied membership or program participation due to financial situations, the YMCA subsidized over $14,450 in low-income Family, Single Parent Family & Adult memberships in 2006.
Your continued support of our Annual Strong Kids Campaign will assure that everyone who so desires will be able to join our YMCA regardless of their ability to pay.
After School Care Program
In collaboration with the Platte County Extension Office and Columbus Public Schools, an on-site After School program is being provided for kids at Centennial, Emerson, West Park, North Park, Lost Creek schools. The YMCA provides $6,000 in programming for these schools four days a week for 25 weeks in conjunction with our After School Fun Club. Your support will assure that this program continues to grow as the YMCA assumes an increasingly larger administrative role in the coming school years.
Free Introduction to Swim
The YMCA offers 3 sessions of free swim lessons for all Columbus area youth, K-5, Y members and non-members alike. This introduction to the life skill of swimming involves $1,500 in instructors, pool upkeep and administrative costs that are helped by our Strong Kids Campaign.
TOTALS—These programs represent over $66,000 of donated support to our community that our Strong Kids Campaign is designed to subsidize. Please help us build strong kids, strong families and a strong community.