HELP us Save ELI  (Early Learning Initiative)

Last week, Governor Strickland announced his latest plan to balance the state's budget, which includes the complete elimination of ELI (Early Learning Initiative). The governor also proposed restricting eligibility for subsidized child care.

ELI is free, full-day, year round educational child care for income-eligible children, ages 3-5, who are not yet in kindergarten. The goal of the initiative is to prepare children for kindergarten through daily educational instruction.

Early care and education is a good economic development investment. Investments in early care and education programs contribute to the economy not only through direct employment, but also through purchase of goods and services that stimulate ecomomic activitity in other industries.

In Lucas County, eliminating ELI will mean the loss of funding for 1,196, 3 to 5-year-old children at risk, which has an economic impact of $19,563,488.

The YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo currently serves more than 300 children at six locations through the Early Learning Initiative.

Please take a quick moment and CLICK HERE  to send an electronic message to Governor Strickland and the members of the Ohio legislature to urge them to do what they can to save ELI.


JULY 4 - BRANCHES OPEN 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

YMCA/JCC TO PROVIDE FREE MEMBERSHIPS TO ELIGIBLE MILITARY FAMILIES

As part of the new Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and Department of Defense (DoD) Outreach Initiative, the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo will provide military families with access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs at community YMCAs nationwide.  Membership fees will be underwritten by the DoD and administered through Military OneSource, an information and referral service for military families.

Military Family Eligibility Form  Click here for more information>

Radio Disney’s Move It! Tour - live at Fort Meigs Y
Radio Disney is bringing its high-energy, sixty minute stage show to the Fort Meigs YMCA on Friday, July 10 at 6 p.m.  The Radio Disney Move IT! Tour encourages families to get active and illustrates fun ways for them to increase their current activity levels. The event is free and open to all area families.  In addition to the stage show, there will be interactive games and Radio Disney prize giveaways including the chance to win four tickets to an upcoming Jonas Brothers concert to be held at Quicken Loans Area in Cleveland on August 27.  Radio Disney has teamed up with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to bring the Move IT! Tour to locations throughout Ohio.  For more information, please contact the Fort Meigs YMCA at 419-251-9622.

 

Join us for Women's Wellness and Adventure Weekend
Join us for a weekend of relaxation, exhilaration and just plain fun! Women's Adventure and Wellness Weekend will be held September 11-13, 2009 at YMCA Storer Camps in the beautiful Irish Hills of Southeast Michigan. This special weekend offers the opportunity to get away by yourself, meet new people and learn new skills. Don't miss out on this getaway that will nurture your spirit, mind and body. Register today.

YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo – building strong kids, strong families and strong communities for 144 years

 Your YMCA/JCC:

• Won The Collaboration Prize for the most outstanding partnership in the nation
• Received the Torch Award from the BBB for outstanding fundraising practices
• Won the prestigious Eagle Award for superior financial development 
• Collaborated with TPS to build the new West Toledo YMCA, to be completed August 2009
• Served 307,440 people, making your YMCA the 8^th largest in the nation
• Raised $2,153,812 during the Annual Scholarship Campaign
• Provided 75,462 people with scholarship assistance
• Partnered with United Way and LMHA to provide 14,249 youth with free Fun Bus activities
• Partnered with 136 area churches
• Served 21,301 campers at YMCA Storer Camps – the 3^rd largest camp in the nation
• Provided free diabetes screenings for 368 people
• Offered free respite child care for military families
• Taught free water safety and swim lessons to 3,500 children
• Served 2,463 children weekly at 37 child care locations
  
  

  View the YMCA/JCC full 2008 Annual Report

  
  

 Free Respite Child Care for Military Families
In a continued effort to meet the growing needs of military service members, the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo will provide respite child care services to deployed National Guard/Reservists and select military personnel. Underwritten by the Department of Defense (DoD), respite child care services are designed to provide licensed child care for children of deployed military personnel. More>>


YMCA and JCC/United Jewish Council of Greater Toledo awarded $125,000 nonprofit Collaboration Prize
The YMCA and JCC/United Jewish Council of Greater Toledo has been named winner for The Collaboration Prize for their outstanding model of nonprofit collaboration. The YMCA and JCC/United Jewish Council of Greater Toledo tied with the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science as recognized leaders in leveraging resources, eliminating duplication of programs and services, and increasing efficiency through collaboration. The YMCA and JCC/United Jewish Council, as well as the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science will share the $250,000 prize. Lodestar announced the winner Thursday afternoon March 5, 2009.

Building Better Arms
Certified personal trainer Rebecca Boyer, fitness director for the Summit YMCA, demonstrates exercises for toning and strengthening your arms and shoulders, as featured in the Toledo Blade Sunday, March 8, 2009 Living section article by Ann Weber.

Follow this link to read the article and see the video: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090308/ART16/903060247/-1/ARCHIVES30 

Member Service Quality Review
The Member Service Board would like to congratulate:
Fort Meigs YMCA
Summit YMCA
University YMCA
Summit YMCA Early Education and Care program

Congratulations on achieving a perfect score for the most recent Member Service Quality Review.