INTEGRATION INITIATIVE
Community Initiatives reflect our commitment to social responsibility. They represent sustained effort by our Y to raise funds and awareness to deal with important community concerns.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
IMPACT:
ABOUT OUR INTEGRATION INITIATIVE
Our Hockomock Area YMCA’s Integration Initiative provides unique, innovative and impactful opportunities for children, teens and young adults with special needs and their families.Through this unique and comprehensive program, we encourage an environment of mutual respect for children with and without disabilities.
SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM
Our Integration Initiative is made possible by community support, especially donations to the Reach Out for Youth and Families Campaign – the primary vehicle in subsidizing the cost of YMCA programming for families who need us most.
A BIT MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Integration Initiative was created to meet an emerging need in the communities we serve, recognizing the importance of supporting children with special needs and their families, nurturing a community of inclusion at our YMCA and the community at large. Since 2004, more than 1,100 children and families have participated in our Initiative. The following programs are our latest Initiative examples of providing environments for social growth, relationship building and the comfort in knowing the Y is here for families.
New Horizons Summer Camp
Created in 2011, New Horizons is a camp for youth with special needs, designed to provide modifications and added support through smaller staff ratios. New Horizons campers are fully integrated into our traditional day camp. Our camps strive to help each camper build positive relationships, social skills and be fully integrated participants no matter their ability.
Unified Sports Teams
We support unified teams in basketball and flag football comprised of youth with and without disabilities. Teams enjoy the experience of traveling to state tournaments, including playing at both Gillette and Harvard Stadiums. In the past years our teams have garnered many Gold and Silver medals, bringing pride and joy to the athletes and their families.
The VIP Club
(Volunteering Through Inclusive Partnerships)
The VIP Club, introduced in 2016, meets weekly and provides opportunities for Integration Initiative participants over the age of 13 to learn about volunteering at our Y and within the community.
Inclusive Golf Team
Our Integrated Golf Team provides opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities from age 13 through adulthood to learn and enjoy the game of golf, a lifetime activity. Participants enjoy clinics at TPC Boston and participate in their own golf league hosted by MGA Links.
