YMCA
activities during a time of day when
M
ROCK, an after-school program,
they are most likely to get involved in
ind, Body & Spirit are the
starts at fifth grade and is offered two
risky behavior.
essence of the YMCA Southern
days a week. Schools identify kids to
Indiana, which focuses on complete
participate in this program, which is
“From the adult standpoint, we have
health and wellness. While meeting
built around smoking awareness and
programs such as aerobics and Pilates
the need for exercise and fitness, this
drug and alcohol abuse. “We educate
classes. For seniors, there’s the Silver
is only a part of what the Y offers to
them regarding these risky behaviors,
Sneakers program offering full use
the communities it serves.
but there’s recreation built around
these as well.”
of the Y, with classes specifically for
them like Silver Splash water exercise
According to CEO, Joe LaRocca,
the YMCA SI has a variety of
Another program, DIAMONDS,
and group exercise classes. We also
programs for all ages and income
focuses on at-risk girls who aren’t
have monthly activities highlighting
levels. “We ensure everyone in the
in the best of living conditions and
day trips, social activities like coffee
community has equal opportunity for
are in need of a support system to
and conversation, and card games.
It’s something to get older people
health and wellness. No one is turned
connected to one another, so it’s more
away because of inability to pay, so
than just exercise.”
we have assistance through our Open
Doors program, which operates on a
Young and old alike are drawn
sliding fee scale.”
to the social aspect of the Y. “Kids
To assist families, the Y provides
used to flock to the mall, but they
funding, part of which comes through
are now coming here for swimming,
the annual Strong Kids Campaign
basketball, XRCade video exercise
that runs February 1
th
through April
and many other exciting activities.
17
th
this year. Dollars raised will help
Whether here in the Atrium with our
toward membership, day camps,
deli and complimentary coffee, or in
swim lessons, or programs like
the café at Jeffersonville, complete
basketball and T-ball. “Our goal this
with wi-fi, there’s an opportunity for
year is $60,000.”
members to gather and reconnect with
Strong Kids is not just for children
keep them from falling through
people they haven’t seen in a long
but for families and adults alike.
the cracks and into risky behavior.
time.”
It includes membership as well as
“DIAMONDS deals with social skills,
childcare during the summer. “We
building self esteem, abstinence,
For more information on the YMCA,
also have school-age childcare
sexual awareness, and conflict
and how you can become involved,
programs at 21 before-and-after
resolutions. Girls that stick with the
visit www.ymcasi.org, or call
schools sites in Floyd and Clark
program through graduation receive
812-28-9622.
Counties and a full- service,
assistance with filling out financial

accredited center in Charlestown, forms and guidance through
providing affordable child care to the process of getting into
working parents. When the schools post high school education
are closed, we bring kids here to the including Ivy Tech or IUS.
Y, giving them a full day of exercise We are trying to secure
and activities.” funds to start the male
equivalent of this program.”
The Y also has outreach programs
for at-risk kids in Clark County and Midnight Basketball, which
at the Y facility in Floyd as a sub- is actually from 8:00-11:00
contractor of Our Place. Theses p.m., runs through the
programs serve ages 7-18, with the summer for boys ages 12-
main focus on 12-18. Afternoons 18 and provides structured Southern Indiana Living
7
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