Welcome to the City branch of the Gisborne YMCA
Our Mission - We build Strong Kids, Strong Families and a Strong Gisborne community. The YMCA of Gisborne District is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programmes that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a focus on children and youth.
Our Values
All YMCA programs teach the core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility and continue our 157-year tradition of emphasis upon youth, health and wellness, education, and community collaboration and problem solving. The YMCA has always grown from within our Gisborne community and is a reflection of our community itself in diversity and values. The YMCA is an open and inclusive organization and welcomes all without discrimination to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship, creed, religion, age, abilities, sexual orientation or income.
A Focus on Children and Youth
The YMCA of Gisborne District gives young people a place to come to after school for safe, productive activities that encourage and support academic performance, help to build their self-esteem and develop healthy lifestyles. Among the programs offered by the YMCA of Gisborne District are a variety of youth programs, including early childhood education, before school care and after-school care programs; sports leagues; instructional classes; evening Youth centre activities; life/social skills; mentoring; leadership training and development; holiday programmes and camps.
Open to All
At the YMCA, no one is turned away because of an inability to pay. To offer the broadest possible access to YMCA programs, services, and facilities, and to provide for those individuals and community groups who may not be able to afford the full cost of our programs, services and facilities, the Gisborne YMCA will engage in fundraising activities through the building Strong Kids Campaign, grants applications, bequests, or individual, corporate or foundation support.
We conduct extensive outreach to ensure wide participation in all YMCA programs by all segments of the Gisborne community that we serve. Each year, we deliver more than $3million in user fees, sponsored, free and/or subsidized programs to more than 18,000 attendances per month (over 200,000 participations per annum), assuring all of an equal opportunity to benefit from the YMCA's programmes and services. For example, since September 2009 we have had five staff delivering Y Sport programmes to 11 primary schools free of charge teaching young children the benefit and skills of participating in a variety of sports.
