Bonita Springs YMCA Reflects on 2021 Accomplishments
Bonita Springs YMCA reflects on 2021 accomplishments
Submitted by the Bonita Springs YMCA
The Bonita Springs YMCA continues to enrich lives and bless families with the community’s support. 2021 has been a great year for the YMCA of Bonita Springs with many additions and a lot of growth.
With the donation of the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Y announced their re-launch of the Rock Steady Boxing program. The program uses fundamentals of boxing training in addition to Parkinson’s specific exercises that studies have shown to reverse, reduce and even delay the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
The Y hosted the license to swim program where 272 children learned how to swim. Families from all over Lee and Collier counties who could not afford to provide swimming lessons were able to bring their children to the summer program. This program would not have been possible without the support of Trish Leonard and Gary Price. The program concluded with children receiving their license to swim along with a graduation celebration. Ensuring children in Southwest Florida know how to swim is important for the Y, not only for their safety but also for building confidence and their enjoyment.
The Y hosted its toy drive that provided toys for families in need thanks to the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs for sponsoring the Y families. The Y also partnered with ACT, a not-forprofit agency committed to serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking to identify additional children in need this past holiday season and the community stepped up and provided meals and toys for these children. Many Y members and staff sponsored these children and families.
The Y was also awarded an $80,000 scholarship for early childhood education, after-school enrichment, summer camp and health and wellness.
The Y celebrated its first full year of the Suwyn Early Learning Center. Starting with only 18 children, the program now serves 106 children with a waitlist. The children range in age from 6 weeks old to 5 years old. The program supports early learning and development in children by using the Creative Curriculum and providing them with hot breakfast, a snack and lunch daily. It provides a safe, fun environment for the children of working parents and also offers many scholarship opportunities for those who cannot afford it.
Four-year-old scholarship recipient, Adiana Ward has been a part of the Suwyn Early Learning Center since the beginning. Mother, Rachel Ward said, “Adiana has loved coming here and it is such a blessing that they have so many scholarship opportunities.”
Major donor of the Suwyn Early Learning Center facility, Mark Suwyn said, “We had pretty high expectations, to tell you now a year and a half after it has been open, it has exceeded our expectations.”
The Bonita Springs YMCA has reached individuals all over Lee County to parts of Collier County and enriched lives from 6 weeks old to 95 years old regardless of their financial status. The Y could not have done all of this without the continued support of the community to include its sponsors, donors and board members.
Through the Y, working parents can receive scholarships so they can afford childcare and after-school care that enriches, educates and develops their children; children from all backgrounds can play sports and learn new things and people from all ages can practice healthy lifestyles. All donations made to the Y go toward providing scholarships for families in need as well as older adults with financial challenges.
For more information on how to donate or sponsor, visit www.ymcaswfl.org/give or contact Angel Cerritos at [email protected].
About Bonita Springs YMCA
The Bonita Springs YMCA opened its doors in the spring of 2005. The Bonita Springs YMCA is a nonprofit organization, its mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. For more information on the Bonita Springs YMCA, please visit www.ymcaswfl.org/locations/ bonita-springs-ymca and Facebook @ BonitaSpringsYMCA or call 239-221-7560. The Bonita Springs YMCA is located at 27200 Kent Rd. Bonita Springs.