YMCA OC fundraises for foster youth, children with special needs and adults with disabilities

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - Feb. 24, 2014 - PRLog -- On Saturday, February 22nd, the YMCA of Orange County held a Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser at Tustin Lanes in Tustin, CA to raise money for the YMCA Community Services programs. The night was filled with families and friends bowling and pledging their donations and support to the programs.

The YMCA Community Services provides essential support for the most overlooked members of our community, delivering unique programs and services to youth and adults with developmental disabilities and foster care youth and families. Programs include: New Horizons for adults with developmental disabilities, Y Inclusion for youth with special needs in after school care, Foster Youth Mentoring and Bereaved Parents Support Group. The YMCA Community Services is committed to raising $25,000 to ensure that over 500 children and families can participate in Y programs. As of February 21, 2014, they have raised $14,641 (58% of goal). All funds raised will directly support scholarships and financial aid for our neighbors in need.

As of 2013, the YMCA of Orange County’s Foster Youth Mentoring program has provided a place for 101 foster youth to learn, and over 1,100 hours of respite care and much needed time off for foster parents. The YMCA Inclusion program has provided inclusion support for 83 children, 38,929 hours of one on one support for before and after school care and $42,483 in financial aid awards. Lastly, their New Horizon program has provided social and recreational activities and trips for 214 members, 18,351 hours of respite care for parents, over 190 events and $11,251 in scholarships for 44 members. “The New Horizons program has been such a unique experience for my brother. There are not many programs available that offer the types of experiences and events that New Horizons offers. He has been able to participate in many activities that he may not have had the opportunity to take part in if it were not for this program,” says a YMCA New Horizons family.

Says another member of the Y Inclusion program: “Our 10 year old daughter with severe Autism has been with the YMCA Inclusion program since 2011. Prior to that, we had difficulties obtaining afterschool care for her through numerous private and public daycare programs. The YMCA program staff have simply been wonderful and we appreciate that the staff and kids at the Bell Tower Boys & Girls Club are welcoming of her, despite her developmental difficulties. Thank you for supporting Audrey and us.”

To donate and support their fundraising efforts, visit http://www.ymcagivetoday.org/site/TR/AnnualCampaign/YMCAo....

To learn more about YMCA Community Services and ways to give, visit their website at http://www.ymcaoc.org/ycs or contact Michelle Byerly at mbyerly@ymcaoc.org or (714) 508-7638.

ABOUT YMCAOC: At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y serves Orange County through six (6) Health & Wellness centers (Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, and Santa Ana) and over 50 Afterschool Program centers. YMCA programs celebrate and honor common values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring by infusing character development into the foundation and practice of all our programs; from youth sports and group exercise classes to parent/child programs and community services– Y programs build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The YMCA of Orange County is a nonprofit, charitable organization that serves the entire community. Donations support our scholarship program and Our Promise – To strive to keep programs open for all. Whether you are looking to get fit, give back, or meet new friends, the Y has something for you! JOIN PLAY GIVE VOLUNTEER www.ymcaoc.org