WHY THE Y?
- The Y is a leading nonprofit organization for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
- The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children committed to bringing about lasting personal and social change. The Y focuses on nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors.
- Worldwide, the Y serves more than 45 million people in 119 countries. Ys across the U.S. play an integral role in strengthening the leadership and youth programs of the Y around the world.
- The Y is accessible to all people. Financial assistance is offered to individuals and families who cannot afford services.

OUR FUNDERS
The Children’s Services Council of Broward County (CSC) is an independent taxing authority established by the voters in 2000. CSC’s mission is to provide leadership, advocacy and resources necessary to enhance the lives of the children of Broward County and empower them to become responsible, productive adults. The organization funds close to a hundred programs that serve children and families, advocates for policies that protect the interests of future generations and provides leadership that brings the child-serving community together. Funding opportunities are designed to help Community Partners to help “Turn the Curve” in a positive direction on issues like: Maternal and Child Health, Family Strengthening, After-School and Out-of-School Time, Kinship Care, Youth Leadership, Advocacy and Employment, and Support for Youth and Families with Special Needs.
The United Way has served to meet the varying and diverse challenges facing communities throughout Broward county. Through partnerships and collaborations, the United Way supports programs designed to increase protective factors for youth, help working families sustain employment and help families reach their full potential.


THE FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNITY
PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The volunteers who make up our Y Parent Advisory Committee play an active role in providing insight, direction and feedback on Y programs and services. The input helps us determine best practices and opportunities for continued improvement.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT EVENTS
Throughout the year, the Y hosts several special events designed to keep parents connected, informed and engaged in their children’s development during and after school. Working together, the Y and partnering schools meaningfully engage parents through innovative events that are responsive to the needs of educators, students and families. Collaboration not only maximizes resources but also has had a direct impact on increasing parent participation. The Y provides support to partnering schools through sponsorships, connecting community resources, free childcare during events, marketing and event promotion. The Y’s family focused approach helps us to increase parent participation at school based events.
SAC/PTA MEMBERS
The volunteers who make up our Y Parent Advisory Committee play an active role in providing insight, direction and feedback on Y programs and services. The input helps us determine best practices and opportunities for continued improvement.
MONTHLY Y NEWSLETTER
The newsletter highlights noteworthy afterschool news, upcoming special events, links to free or low-cost community resources and helpful tips on ways to improve children’s health and well-being, creative self-expression and academic performance. All kids have great potential. At the Y, we work every day to help them set and achieve personal and educational goals. Millions of children and teens build skills and confidence as they explore new interests and passions through the Y.

Third-grade reading skills predict high school graduation. That is why the Y’s Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program helps elementary students reading below grade level. The program focuses on phonics, writing, and reading to boost literacy skills, with enrichment activities to support physical and socialemotional growth.

Not only do children and teens have a safe place to go in the afternoon with the Y, but our Afterschool program also helps them realize who they are and all they can achieve through academic intervention, health and enrichment activities.

Day or Specialty Camps at the Y share one thing: they’re about discovery. Kids have the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence and make lasting friendships and memories. And, of course, it’s fun, too!

With so many demands on today’s families and the increased focus on early brain development, families need all the support they can get to nurture the potential of youth. That’s why child care and early learning programs at the Y focus on holistically nurturing child development by providing a safe and healthy place to learn foundational skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships and build self-reliance through the Y values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

All kids have great potential. At the Y, we work every day to help them set and achieve personal and educational goals. Millions of children and teens build skills and confidence as they explore new interests and passions through the Y. Leadership and academic enrichment programs—including Teen Leaders Clubs, Youth and Government, and college preparation—along with our dedicated efforts to close the academic achievement gap for low-income youth ensure that every child has an opportunity to envision and pursue the best possible future.


Career exploration and pre-employment activities shall promote foundational skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking; thinking and decision making; character traits such as honesty, caring and responsibility) and build workplace competencies (using resources, interpersonal skills, information, systems and technology effectively). Youth will be exposed to various fields of interest and create personal road maps for academic and vocational success.

Whether in the summer, or just when the school day is done, we’re right there with our year-round food programs. The Y believes that children deserve every opportunity possible to learn, grow and thrive, and the meals we serve help more children get the nutrition they need for good health.

The Department of Interior is the lead agency for First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Outside initiative. The Department was joined by the YMCA of the USA and the National League of Cities (NLC) to coordinate efforts to bridge the growing disconnect between young people and the great outdoors by creating meaningful connections to nature through four pillars: play, learn, serve and work. Locally, the YMCA of South Florida has adopted Y Fit which utilizes evidence-based fitness programs such as SPARK.

The YMCA is helping all children reach their full potential by supporting their unique youth development journeys. At more than 1,000 YMCA sites nationwide, youth are engaged in year-round STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities that nurture their curiosity, inspire creativity and teach them how to succeed.

The Y is the starting point for many youth to learn about becoming and staying active, and developing healthy habits they’ll carry with them throughout their lives. The benefits are far greater than just physical health. Whether it’s gaining the confidence that comes from learning to swim or building the positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork, participating in sports at the Y is about building the whole child, from the inside out.

our Programs
Y programs have been changing the lives of children and families in South Florida for over 100 years. The Y has evolved to accommodate the growing number of working families, regardless of economic status, and has embraced the philosophy that everyone benefits when youth of all cultural backgrounds and abilities work together. Diverse and innovative, the face of Y afterschool programs is always evolving.
The Y Experience takes afterschool programming above and beyond the quality standard using evidenced-based components:
- Project Based Learning /STEAM
- YFit using SPARK curriculum
- Social Skills using various curriculum
- Literacy Activities
- Family Involvement Initiatives
- Academic enrichment through homework help and technology
We make every attempt to work alongside and collaborate with the schools.
The day kicks off with opening ceremonies. Children and staff engage in games, songs and chants together to set the tone for the afternoon events. Certified teachers and counselors work handin-hand providing homework assistance and academic enrichment.
Kids hit the field to have extreme fun in each day participating in heart-pumping play in YFit.
Throughout the day, our themed curriculum, project-based learning centers and group activities promote social skills development, critical thinking, artistic self-expression and the ability to work collaboratively to solve problems and experience new things.
On early release days, non-school days and special events, children get the opportunity to participate in field trips and cultural enrichment activities. Kids experience drama, dance, folk art, live theater, classical music, hands-on science and much more!

Teen club programs are designed to strengthen youth involvement and connections with their community, family, school and peers. Adolescent programs utilize best practice strategies, including research-based program models and curricula, to minimize risk and strengthen protective factors that develop resiliency needed for college and career success. Youth grow into independent, productive adults. The program is designed to allow several high-interest activities that build on the youth’s voice. Activities/Clubs may include, but are not limited to:
- Academic Enrichment
- STEAM (Project Base Learning)
- Science/Technology
- Arts and Humanities
- Character Development
- Health and Well-Being 11
- Homework Support/Tutoring
- Community Service
- Life Skills/Social Competency
- Teen Outreach Program (TOP)
- Cultural Art Activities
- Field Trips
- Career Development

YOUTH FORCE (FRIENDSHIPS, OPPORTUNITIES, RESOURCES, COUNSELING AND EDUCATION) FORCE is a specialized middle school program in Broward County that targets youth who need additional support and who have met proven risk factors known to increase the likelihood of engaging in high-risk behaviors. FORCE offers traditional middle school club and cultural arts activities, but is unique in that all families are connected to a case manager who provides assistance and additional resources.
The Y offers LEAP HIGH (Leadership, Enrichment and Academy Pursuits) programs. Through our partnerships with the School Board of Broward County and The Children’s Services Council, LEAP HIGH programs offer students the extended learning environment that reinforces and enhances the lessons taught during the regular school day through Project-based Learning.
College & Career Readiness, Technical Skills and Cultural Arts activities offer an avenue for youth to learn new skills and discover new talents. Our High School Programs foster an environment built to increase academic achievement, social and technical skills using “disguised learning” experiences The Y LEAP High programs offer:
- Graduation Coaching Services/Case Management
- Debate It: Youth in Government
- Credit Recovery
- Creative Arts (Music/Band, Literacy Arts, Painting)
- Math, Reading & Science Tutoring (STEAM based activities)
By participating in these programs, students have seen:
- improved academic performance
- reduced unexcused absences
- high school drop-out rates
- increased family involvement
- increased college and career readiness
- reduced teen pregnancy

TEENS AND ADULTS.
Learning to read, tying your shoe, going on your first field trip, working at your first job, or simply making a new friend are experiences that create lasting memories. For students who have special needs, reaching these milestones come with unique challenges.
At the Y, the goal of inclusion is to increase each child’s ability to take part in activities with their peers and to create a mutual sense of belonging. The Y currently offers inclusion at elementary and middle schools. The MOST ( Maximizing Out of School Time) program is designed for children, teens and adults beginning at age 4 through 22 with a wide range of special needs, including physical, developmental, sensory and learning disabilities. The service structure and program schedules closely mirror that of a typical Y afterschool program.
The YMCA has been the leader serving those with disabilities, special needs, and developmental challenges. The Y Experience takes afterschool programming above and beyond the quality standard using evidenced-based components:
- Project Based Learning /STEAM
- YFit using SPARK curriculum
- Family Involvement Initiatives
- Literacy Activities and academic enrichment through homework help and technology
We make every attempt to work alongside and collaborate with the schools and their staff.
The day kicks off with opening ceremonies. Children and staff engage in games, songs and chants together to set the tone for the afternoon events. Certified teachers and counselors work hand-inhand providing homework assistance and academic enrichment.
Kids hit the field to have extreme fun each day participating in heart-pumping play in YFit. Throughout the day, our themed curriculum, project-based learning centers and group activities promote social skills development, critical thinking, artistic self-expression and the ability to work collaboratively to solve problems and experience new things. On early release days, non-school days and special events, children get the opportunity to participate in field trips and cultural enrichment activities. Kids experience drama, dance, folk art, live theater, classical music, hands-on science and much more!
The programs offer increased support such as:
- Lower staff-to-participant ratios
- Adaptive materials, supplies, and curriculum
- Skilled Nurses
- Family Involvement and Case Management
- Behavior Strategies and shorter sessions

Y STEP (Supported Training Employment Program) is designed to help teens and young adults with special needs ages 16-22 transition to independence. During the school year, Y STEP students identify and explore post-secondary career and educational interests to develop the skills needed to become successful adults.
- Highly structured to strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors.
- Increase employment and secondary education opportunities.
- Connect youth and families to resources to ensure a smooth transition into adulthood.
- Field trips to explore potential employment and educational opportunities.
- Cooking labs to learn how to prepare healthy meals.
- Workshops to help improve communication and social skills.
- Resume writing and interviewing skill development.
- Case Management
- Students gain meaningful paid summer employment at local businesses and
- Y family centers for up to 30 hours per week.
Y I-CAN is a program for high school students with special needs. The activities are planned for the teens by the teens. Teens realize their full potential through activities that:
- Strengthen social and communications skills
- Develop leadership and self-advocacy strategies
- Improve health and wellness through physical activity
- Increase self-esteem
- Teach coping skills and conflict resolution
(Inclusive Sports Program) Y Adaptive Sports is an exciting program for children of all ability levels that incorporate the Y character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility with skill development. Volunteers and players alike enjoy interacting with each other while they experience the benefits of sports such as volleyball, basketball and aquatics.

To minimize the Achievement Gap the Y takes a unique approach to non-school day and summer programming. Not only do we offer the fun traditional activities typically associated with camp, but we also place an emphasis on increasing physical activity, improving academic performance and teaching water safety. Our camp programs cultivate positive recreational experiences, while recognizing each individual child’s needs and abilities. Campers improve and/or maintain their physical fitness and academic levels through participation in:
- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math)
- Literacy Activities
- Social Skills
- Project-Based Learning
- Family Involvement
- On-site and off-site special guests and field trips
- Exposure to arts, music, history, sports, games and traditions of a variety of world cultures
- Over 60 minutes of structured physical activity per day to promote the love of health and wellness
- Daily nutrition education
- Swim safety and drowning prevention







