What would you like to know about the Y ?

The YMCA has programs throughout the Cadillac area in fifteen different venues. We are getting ready to have our own building - a YMCA community center! We need your help financially, as a volunteer, and with your questions. Send you inquires to the address or e-mail below. Then, each week, read the responses in our Cadillac News column. You can also check this web page.

Send Your Questions About the Y to:

ask@cadillacareaymca.org
OR

Cadillac Area YMCA
P.O. Box 231
Cadillac, MI 49601

Q: Where will the new YMCA be located in relationship to Baker College’s current campus buildings?
A: The new YMCA will be located to the north of the new entrance road off of Crosby.

Q: Will there be enough room for the YMCA facility at this location?
A: Yes. Baker College has donated ten acres. Enough for the initial YMCA facility, parking and outside program space. The site will also accommodate potential future facility expansion if needed.

Q: Is this location too far away from folks it is designed to serve?
A: Actually the location makes the YMCA readily available to over 17,000 households in a fifteen mile circle around the site. Market studies have demonstrated that the location is very serviceable, not only to the city of Cadillac and surrounding townships, but to other local communities like Manton, Lake City, Tustin, LeRoy, McBain and others. It is a good place to serve the three county area.

Q: What impact will the YMCA be working to achieve in the greater Cadillac area?
A: The YMCA’s Activate America agenda works for the following:
• Every child and youth will deepen positive values, their commitment to service and their motivation to learn.
• Every family will build stronger bonds, achieve greater work/life balance and become more engaged with their communities
• Every individual will strengthen their spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing.

Q: What do the letters in the YMCA stand for?
A: Young Men’s Christian Association. The YMCA was established in London, England in 1844 by George Williams, a raper’s shop assistant, to give young men an alternative to life on the streets.

Q: So is the YMCA only for Christian men?
A: In modern times the Y serves both genders and all ages. Some say the Y is for the “young at heart.” The M stands for “all mankind.” Our Christian mission serves everyone. And the A stands for all – it’s how we end our mission statement! The YMCA uses Christian principles as our guide to serve everyone through programs and activities that develop healthy spirit, mind, and body. Men, women, boys and girls – the Y is for everybody!

Q: What YMCA programs are available?
A: The YMCA offers programs in fifteen different sites around the Cadillac area. Some offerings include: Youth swim lessons, gymnastics, preschool programs, art & enrichment programs, a teen center, teen activities, water fitness, TaiKwondo and more. Programs are usually organized in eight week periods. Program guides outline the offerings of each period. These guides are available through the mail or online at our website. Call the Y to get on our mailing list!

Q: What’s going on this summer?
A: The YMCA is entering the fifth year of partnering with the Cadillac Area Public Schools to offer summer camp at Camp orenta. This includes YMCA resident Camp for ages eight to fourteen; YMCA Day Camp for ages six to twelve; YMCA Teen Camp for ages twelve to fifteen; and YMCA Preschool Explorers for ages three to five. Again, check out these opportunities on the YMCA’s website!

Q: When the new YMCA is built what will it cost to become a member?
A: $49 per month for a family. $37 per month for an adult. $25 per month for a youth. $27 per month for a senior.

Q: What if I can’t afford these rates?
A: Making the YMCA accessible to everyone is important. The YMCA board is planning to implement an income based membership structure that will enable families and individuals with lower incomes to pay lower monthly rates to belong to the YMCA. Individuals and families will simply need to provide, confidentially, proof of income to determine what rate applies. For those with extra ordinary need or special circumstance the current YMCA scholarship program will be available No one will be turned away from the YMCA due to inability to pay.

Q: How does the YMCA know there will be enough members to pay for its operating expenses?
A: The YMCA board has conducted a series of “market analyses” which indicate the YMCA can expect in the neighborhood of 1,000 membership units – a combination of membership in the above categories. With over 17,000 households currently located in the YMCA’s primary service area this is very realistic.

Q: Won’t providing financial assistance be expensive?
A: Actually, financial assistance–by providing more ready access to YMCA involvement–will help the YMCA serve the members needed to finance the new facility. Assistance does not mean “free.” With each member paying their fair share the Y will have enough funding. This has been shown true by applying various membership fee structure plans to the area’s household income demographics. This income based membership plan analysis shows sufficient membership support for the new YMCA community center.

March 28, 2007 - Cadillac News ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Where will the new Y be located?
A: Baker College is donating approximately 10 acres of land from their campus property just off the Crosby Road entrance. The college has also pledged $1.25 million dollars toward the building construction.

Q: How much will the building cost?
A: The project is $6.5 million dollars. The Tom Dillon bequest is $2.5 million and with the donation from Baker College, plus the gifts already raised we are about 70% toward the goal.

Q: When will the building be ready?
A: The Y board decided to wait until the pledges reached the total goal of $6.5 million before starting the building. The hope is to have the ground breaking the fall of 2007 or the spring of 2008. The construction will take about a year.

• a mult-use pool
• gymnasium
• teen center
• community/ senior room
• healthy lifestyle center
• locker rooms
• chapel
• spacious lobby