Philanthropy - YMCA Of South Palm Beach County 9-29-16

Many people think of “The Y” as a place for family recreation and fitness. The truth is that the YMCA offers a very wide range of community-minded programs that promote healthy living and embed the ideals of social responsibility. This commitment is demonstrated by the fact that the YMCA allows all community members to participate in membership programs regardless of their ability to pay fees. These are just some of the reasons that the Sun Capital Foundation is pleased to have been a supporter of the YMCA of South Palm Beach County.

The YMCA of South Palm Beach County is ranked in the top quartile of all YMCAs in the country, and serves more than 70,000 area residents. The organization stands out due to several strategic initiatives, including: Drowning Prevention, the Y Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), and its Healthy Eating Physical Activity (HEPA) guidelines and Education Enrichment. The South Palm Beach Y also provides approximately $1 million in scholarship assistance each year!

Among all of these programs, the drowning prevention program deserves special mention. This is not an issue that gets much notice unless tragedy strikes, but The YMCA of South Palm Beach County recognized that it deserves ongoing attention, especially in a state like Florida where ocean and lake activities make up such a huge part of people’s daily lives and the economy. The organization was selected as a winner for its WaterSmart community initiative designed to reduce the number of death caused by drownings in the region, and received a grant from Impact 100 to continue its work.

As the summer winds down, the Y is finishing its busiest season, hosting Summer Camp for kids from age 5 through teenagers. Activities range from surfing and skating to field trips to the zoo, the science museum and local parks. For many area parents, having a resource like the Y to ensure their kids have a safe, educational and fun summer is a real lifesaver.