Annual Giving Campaign
The Chinatown YMCA is a gateway for individuals to build community, make connections and transform lives.
A donation to the Annual Giving Campaign allows us to reach out to and welcome children, teens, adults and families who are unable to afford the full cost of participation in a YMCA program or activity.
Download Mail-in Donation Form
2011 Campaign Video - available on YouTube
Having Fun & Getting Fit
Recently, a 6th grader returned to visit PEP, and told the YMCA staff that it had been his favorite class in elementary school. He wasn't the fastest or the strongest, but he loved to try new sports and skills. Because of PEP, he continues to be active and plans to try out for his middle school Track & Field team.
Through PEP (Physical Education Program)—and aligned with our mission of building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities—the Chinatown YMCA is raising awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles and providing physical education to 1,100 students in Chinatown each week. 85% of the youth in PEP are from Chinatown and are immigrant Chinese or American-born Chinese; the neighborhood is characterized by poverty, over-crowding and social and linguistic isolation. PEP is a gateway for children and their families to engage in physical activity, motor skill development, health and wellness programming, and nutrition education; with an overall focus on healthier lifestyles choices.
A World of Possibilities
“I really look forward to my weekends now because I know my mentor will be taking me to do something fun. I used to look out the window at home in Chinatown to see what other people were doing.”
Diana is eleven years old and is one of the 25 mentor-mentee pairs matched up in the Building Futures program. A vital program serving low-income Asian-American youth and their families, Building Futures uses mentoring as a way to move youth from risk to resiliency. The adult mentors work one-on-one with their youth mentees to improve academic achievement and interpersonal relationships, enhance social and family functioning, help identify negative relationship models and cope with grief and anger, and become involved with their community through volunteerism and service learning. The program is offered at no charge to the youth and their families.
Leaders in Making
Teen Center is the Chinatown YMCA's gateway to leadership and youth development for teenagers; providing them with the tools and opportunities to make the best choices for today and the future.
The goals of the program are to provide a safe environment to come after school, build personal relationships, prepare for higher education and become responsible members of their community. Debbie Li embodies all that Teen Center aspires to. She began as a participant in our afterschool programs, grew into middle and high school leadership roles, and this summer became a resident camp counselor and day camp leader. “It’s amazing to see the progression of leadership development,” says Denise Hung, Teen Director.