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YMCA’s Strong Kids programs helps struggling families

12 February 2010

YMCA’s Strong Kids programs helps struggling families
Dayton Daily News
By Shirley Belcher, Contributing Writer
February 12, 2010
EATON — In 2003, Kim and Jennifer Jenkins and their three daughters joined the Preble County YMCA.

They said they liked the YMCA, especially since one their three daughters, Kassidey, 10, has cystic fibrosis and has benefited by swimming, playing basketball and dancing the Zumba there.

Then three years later, Kim Jenkins had brain surgery and was unable to work. He said his employer, at the time, canceled his health insurance, leaving the family financially strapped.

That’s when the YMCA’s Strong Kids program — a financial assistance plan — stepped in to help the Jenkins continue their membership.

“We have been able to stay members of the Y through some difficult times,” Jenkins said.

About 40 percent of their current members are helped by Strong Kids program, said Josh Haynes, executive director of the Preble YMCA, which is part of the YMCA of Greater Dayton. “Even though Preble County is struggling right now, we are still able to meet the need of the people in the community who still want and deserve this experience.”

Even as YMCAs are struggling nationally due to the economy, Preble County has expanded its nursery, conference room and fitness center, Haynes said.

“Right now, because of the economy, I think our county has been affected more, at least regionally, worse than the surrounding counties,” he said. “We doubled our unemployment last year. We are over 13 percent. That is more than double than it was in 08.”

After his surgery, Jenkins thought he would try swimming at the Y.

“At first I just walked around in the pool. I had no balance at the time,” he said. The Jenkins two other daughters, Katelyn, 16, and Jenna, 4, are also very active in YMCA programs.

The Preble County YMCA has set a goal to raise $44,000 for the Strong Kids program, said Jeff Parker, who is the campaign chairman and a YMCA board member.

“The Y actually gives out five to six times more than that,” Parker said. “We are trying to raise a portion of that to help raise money and provide an outlet, especially for the kids.”

For more information and to donate to the Strong Kids Campaign, call (937) 472-2010 or visit www.ymcaonline.org.