Kosciusko Community YMCA
Vision 2020
OUR MISSION: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
OUR COMMITMENT: We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.
OUR VALUES: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility
OUR VISION: To be the preeminent community service organization by providing an environment where people of all ages, faiths, races, backgrounds and abilities work toward achieving their God-given fullest potential, build friendships, and experience the joy of helping others.
In order to fulfill our vision and to achieve the objectives set forth in the strategic plan, Kosciusko Community YMCA must perform certain core functions on behalf of and in cooperation with our membership and community. These are:
Core Functions
Increasing Availability to All. The YMCA is for everyone, no matter where they live or their ability to pay. Through the generosity of YMCA friends, our goal is to have sufficient funds to ensure that our YMCA remains available to all. By 2020, we will serve 1 in 5 people in our community and have a facility or program center within 15 minutes of every person in Kosciusko County.
Developing Youth and Teens. Our YMCA is a safe place where youth and teens can dream, learn, grow and achieve their fullest potential. By 2020, we will reach 1 in 4 youth and teens through programs that transform their lives and produce positive outcomes.
Inspiring Healthier Lifestyles. Our YMCA helps people to live healthier lives. Since our founding in 1964, health and wellness programs have been integral to our mission of building spirit, mind and body. By 2020, we will influence 1 in 8 people to live a healthier life through YMCA membership.
Deepening Member and Community Involvement. Through the creation of small, caring communities, our YMCA will build long-term relationships among members and staff that foster a sense of belonging, service to others, and the joy of giving. By 2020, our goal is to have 25% of members engaged in building stronger communities through sharing their time, talents or treasure.
Ensuring Our Legacy. By developing strong staff and volunteer leadership, and a sound financial base, our YMCA will continue to make a positive difference for future generations. By 2020, 100% of staff and volunteers will consider the Y a fulfilling place to invest time and energy to improve the lives of others. By 2020, we will have an endowment fund equal to three times our operating budget to ensure the future of our YMCA.
Serving Kosciusko County since 1964.
Issues and Opportunities Facing the Kosciusko Community YMCA
Program Opportunities
While the United States and its people exhibit much strength, we are confronted daily with evidence that our children, families and health are suffering. A review of research and data identifies the key issues and opportunities before us. Following are a few of the compelling statistics that highlight the importance of the strategic plan’s program areas of emphasis.
- Twenty-three percent of children five years old and younger have two or more risk factors—poverty, single or no parent, no parent employed full-time for a full year, parents with disability, mother who does not have high school degree, no parent fluent in English—that diminish their chances for succeeding in school and life.
- In the past 25 years, the prevalence of being overweight has tripled among boys ages 6-11 and doubled among boys ages 12-17. In the same time period, prevalence of overweight has increased.
- 2½ times among girls 6-11 and 1½ times among girls 12-17. Nearly 25 percent of adults are obese.
- More than half of families feel unprepared for situations that may arise, and 46 percent say they feel overwhelmed. Job demands, overscheduled children and financial pressures contribute to their feelings of dissatisfaction with parenting.
- The average young person in the United States experiences only 19 of the 40 developmental assets—the building blocks for success. Search Institute considers 31 assets an achievable community goal that could significantly increase positive outcomes for youth and decrease negative outcomes.
These are significant challenges, but they’re not insurmountable, and each one represents an opportunity for the Kosciusko Community YMCA to fulfill our mission. Based on research and our history of success, we know what to do. The opportunities are outlined below.
Issues and Opportunities
1. Holistic development of children and youth
Issue: Children, regardless of where they live or income level, struggle to develop the positive values, ethic of civic responsibility and educational skills across all domains (social, emotional, physical, and cognitive).
Opportunity: Purposeful, asset-based YMCA programs can afford each child the strengths needed to be fully prepared for adulthood.
2. Health and well-being for all
Issue: The U.S. population faces a lifestyle health crisis.
Opportunity: Kosciusko Community YMCA can lead the community response to address this crisis and position the association as a leader in enabling people to live full lives that are healthy in spirit, mind and body.
3. Family strengthening
Issue: Families are under increasing stress, not connected to supportive communities and unsure where to go for help balancing work, family and civic responsibilities.
Opportunity: Kosciusko Community YMCA can provide to our community the holistic support that families require for healthy relationship development.
Operational Opportunities
In addition to the challenges of those we serve, the Kosciusko Community YMCA is facing our own challenges and opportunities. Despite organizational excellence in many areas, we must continually improve the quality and relevance of our operations. The following findings support this idea.
People served by the YMCA are not fully representative of the increasing diversity in our community.
YMCA expenses are growing faster than revenues. Expenses grew by 6.4 percent from 2004 to 2005, with doubledigit growth in financing costs, occupancy, professional fees and equipment costs. At the same time, our contributed income as a percentage of total revenue is declining, and some traditional government sources for YMCA funds are in danger of being decreased or eliminated.
The primary operational areas in need of strengthening, according to data and input collected from Y-USA and her member associations, are identified below, along with related opportunities for our association’s improvement.
Issues and Opportunities
1. Member Development
Issue: The current membership model for Kosciusko Community YMCA may not respond to future community need. The community served by our association is increasingly stratified along economic, religious, cultural and racial lines.
Opportunity: We can advance our mission, strengthen our broader community and grow our membership by offering people of all backgrounds an opportunity to participate in programs and activities, which are based on the development of healthy relationships.
2. Community Development
Issue: Collaboration with other organizations and governmental agencies and participation in the public process will be prerequisites for future association viability.
Opportunity: Through active community development efforts, the Kosciusko Community YMCA can positively influence development for all and be viewed as a vital community resource.
3. Staff and Volunteer Development
Issue: The Kosciusko Community YMCA is challenged to attract, develop and retain the quantity and quality of staff and volunteer leaders we require.
Opportunity: A focus on and commitment to staff and volunteer development will assure a vibrant future for the association.
4. Fiscal Management
Issue: In order to meet our financial obligations, we increasingly are feeling pressure to provide commodity services that that would be undifferentiated in the marketplace.
Opportunity: By offering mission-focused programs that differentiate the YMCA in the marketplace and following recommended not-for-profit business practices, we can assure our association’s future viability and tax status.
5. Financial Development
Issue: The Kosciusko Community YMCA’s contributed income sources are threatened. Government funding for social and health services is decreasing. Competition for private philanthropy is increasing as donors focus on organizations responding to key social issues.
Opportunity: The Kosciusko Community YMCA with a focused case for support, can increase philanthropic support, increase services to those most in need and consistently demonstrate our charitable status.
6. Property Development
Issue: The cost of constructing and operating facilities may drive increased indebtedness. Design flexibility will be increasingly necessary to respond to changing social needs.
Opportunity: Designing and constructing flexible facilities combined with appropriate operational models will allow the Kosciusko Community YMCA to provide cost-effective facilities that respond to community needs and interests.
7. Program-quality improvement
Issue: Consumers are demanding increased quality, lower cost and expanded options, while other providers/competitors are offering traditional YMCA program services such as aquatics, youth sports and child care.
Opportunity: Mission-focused programs that are affordable and high in quality can differentiate the Kosciusko Community YMCA and enhance our ability to attract and serve more people.
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