Twin Pike Family Ymca

The Twin Pike Family YMCA is a not-for-profit organization that serves thousands of families in rural, Northeast Missouri and West-central Illinois.  We are currently in the process of renovating and expanding the area's only YMCA facility.  The expansion project, which includes the area's first indoor swimming pool and indoor track, has a price tag of $3.85 million.  With this facility expansion, we project that facility usage will exceed 50,000 visits annually. 

Since 1994, the Twin Pike Family YMCA has been serving the Twin Pike area (Pike County, Missouri and Pike County Illinois) in Northeast Missouri and West-central Illinois.  Our service area is almost 3 times the size of a typical YMCA.  The communities we serve have lost several large employers (Home Products International, Holcim) while others have downsized or relocated to other communities (Hercules, Wal-Mart, Chevrolet Dealership). This, coupled with the extreme poverty, high unemployment and significant community factors (i.e. higher than state average of: children living in poverty - although the number of children receiving food stamps or cash assistance is under the state average; child abuse rates, out-of-home placements, juvenile law violations, double the number of violent teen deaths, higher number of deaths in children ages 1-14 than state average, 4th highest infant mortality rate in the state, higher number of births to teens age 15-19 and mothers without a high school diploma) makes what the Twin Pike Family YMCA does every day even more important than ever. 

No one living in this area is immune to the hardships created by the poor economic atmosphere, however the Twin Pike communities have pulled together to raise the money for this project and to implement life-changing programs through the Y.   From the 500 kids and their families served by the before, after and summer school programs, to the seniors who are served in the Active Older Adults fitness programs to maintain their health and independence, the YMCA means so much to so many. From mentoring programs for at-risk kids, to parent education classes, to training classes on healthy eating and nutrition, the Y works every day at multiple locations, year-round to impact the negative statistics listed above that define our service area.  The Twin Pike Family YMCA is truly an asset to this area.  It means so much, to so many. 

The communities served by the Y have pulled together to make the facility renovation and expansion a reality.  From four teenagers whose lives had been impacted by YMCA programs growing up, to the former Y employee who was totally disabled in a hunting accident but wanted to see the Y move closer to building an accessible indoor pool, donors have stepped forward to support this project.  Community members of this area refused to sit back, waiting for someone else to make things happen.  Everyone has gotten involved and they are donating their allowance, holding raffles, signing over life insurance policies and stretching their giving potential by make five-year commitments to donate as much as they can.  These things have made this project a reality.  As the completion of this project gets closer, we have more opportunities to impact lives through programs and services that focus on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility(TM).   

The Twin Pike Family YMCA is the result of rural communities working hard to provide better opportunities for their children and to care for their families.  In an effort to secure the resources needed to complete this project and expand our capability to serve the areas kids, families and seniors, we are also making an appeal to donors to consider becoming part of this grassroots effort.  Our financial track record (as outlined in our IRS 990 Forms available at http://www2.guidestar.org/ReportNonProfit.aspx?.ein=43-1675923 ) indicates that the Twin Pike Family YMCA is a solid charitable organization and donors can be assured their contributions are being utilized to impact lives in a positive manner.  Together we CAN make a difference!

 

No donation is too small and all donations are tax-deductible.