YMCA wants to come to McKenzie; their goal: to build
strong kids, strong families and a strong community.
The organization already has a foothold in the
community thanks to former Bethel student Dale Mathis
and the support of the college and McKenzie School
District.
Dale initiated an after school program last year that
was immediately successful. The venture was expanded
into a summer program that was equally successful.
Now, Mathis and YMCA affiliates hope to add McKenzie
to their map of full-service centers with locations
all over the United States and abroad. Having obtained
his degree in human services from Bethel in May this
year, Mathis would be director for all YMCA projects.
The McKenzie center would be supported by the Milan
YMCA, through which the after-school and summer
programs have been administered, said Paul Brough,
executive director of the Milan center.
"As the program grew we found a lot more need for YMCA
activity in the community," said Brough. A
"storefront" YMCA in McKenzie would provide a fitness
center with a child-watch program offering free
childcare for up to two hours while the parent is in
the building. The center would feature fitness
equipment including weights, cardiovascular machines
and aerobics.
Officials anticipate leasing a facility for three to
five years as participation and community support
grow, after which they hope to create an owned
facility. Brough hopes sponsors will come forward with
low-cost leasing and eventually with funds or land for
a permanent facility. He cited land adjacent to the
city park in Milan was donated for that facility.
The YMCA's mission is "to put Christian principles
into practice through programs that build healthy
spirit, mind and body for all. Through a variety of
programs the organization seeks to help individuals
reach their potential by appreciating that physical
fitness, spiritual commitment and mental well-being
are sacred gifts and conditions to be achieved and
maintained and by developing: confidence and
self-respect; moral and ethical behavior based on
Christian principles; capabilities for leadership used
in responsible service to others; intercultural
understanding locally and globally; and by growing as
a responsible member of family and community;
respecting people of all ages, abilities, incomes,
races, religions, cultures and beliefs; and
reinforcing the concept that volunteering is the heart
of the YMCA.
Some of the programs being considered for McKenzie
are: Health and Fitness, Youth Sports, Camping,
Aquatics, Teen Leadership Clubs, Black Achievers, YMCA
Earth Services Corps, Child Care, Before and
After-school Child Care, Preschool Child Development
Center, Summer Day Camp, Y-Indian Guides/Princesses,
Family Nights/Family Days, and Family Fitness.
YMCA dues range from $15 per month for teens to $36
per month for families and are accompanied by one-time
joining fees from $25 to $75. Membership is not
required for program participation, however, and
financial assistance is available for all programs and
membership types. The Open Doors program is an
income-based rate scale designed to give everyone
access to a membership at the YMCA regardless of
income. The scale begins at $49,800 and falls to
potentially zero income, at which 90% of the costs of
participation are covered, with various levels of
assistance in between as determined by income and
number of dependents.
A steering committee is being formed to help make
decisions on the types of programs to be offered
through the McKenzie YMCA, advance fund-raising
activities, and coordinate with the board of directors
of the Milan unit.
A meeting is being held this Tuesday, August 24, at
6:30 p.m. at Hig's Restaurant in McKenzie. All
interested persons are invited to attend.
For more information contact Paul Brough at
731-686-9000, Dale Mathis at 731-415-6370, or
fund-raising chair Debbie Broadbent at 731-352-5561.
