THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240545
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAT DOOLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 79 lines
The Young Men's Christian Association of South Hampton Roads - the nation's fastest growing YMCA group - is embarking on a four-year plan to become a major force in helping to strengthen families.
Highlights of its ``Vision 2000'' program include acquiring a regional outdoor camp; developing more fitness activities that families can take part in together; and offering outreach programs for ``at-risk'' segments of the community, said Charles E. Harris, president and chief executive officer.
The program was launched at an annual dinner meeting for about 400 staff members and volunteers Thursday at the downtown Marriott.
The South Hampton Roads association, made up of eight member YMCAs in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Suffolk, has grown rapidly in recent years, Harris said.
From 1991 to 1996, revenues jumped 195 percent, or about 48 percent a year, he said. That compares with an average national annual growth of 13.3 percent, Harris said.
More than 50,000 people were served through Hampton Roads Y's last year, compared with about 18,000 in 1989, Harris said. There are 23,000 members. The Y offers some programs to nonmembers.
More than half of its members join as families, Harris said.
He attributes the growth to the local association's emphasis on programs for parents and children.
For example, the South Hampton Roads Y offers more than two dozen licensed before- and after-school child-care sites and nine preschool centers.
Families can take part in some exercise classes and activities together.
``People have embraced these programs,'' Harris said.
The objectives for Vision 2000 were developed by a committee of volunteers.
Bruce Bradley, president and publisher of The Virginian-Pilot, was committee chairman. He said YMCAs traditionally have been viewed primarily as fitness centers.
``Fitness is part of the equation,'' he said, ``but it's more than that.''
Busy families, often pulled in several directions at home, increasingly can to look to the Y as a place to be together, Bradley said.
One family activity the YMCA hopes to promote is camping. The organization would like to raise $2.5 million for a campsite within an hour's drive of Hampton Roads, Harris said. There is no YMCA campground in Virginia.
The YMCA also plans to work with the juvenile justice system and develop mentoring programs for at-risk children and academic skill centers.
Among the other goals of Vision 2000 are to expand financial development, create an effective hiring and training program, evaluate growth opportunities, design a comprehensive marketing plan and attract more volunteers.
As part of its Judeo-Christian mission, the local YMCA works to instill values - honesty, responsibility, respect and caring - among its members and its 700 staffers, said Beverly Blount, marketing and communications director.
The South Hampton Roads association has an operating budget of $11 million for 1997. Most of the money comes from membership and program fees. Other sources include the United Way, community gifts and government contracts.
Membership fees in the Hampton Roads Y are $50 to join and $38 a month for a single person. Family memberships are $75 to join and $52 a month. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by LAWRENCE JACKSON, The Virginian-Pilot
Laurie Dean works out at the Norfolk YMCA, one of eight area Ys
which constitute the South Hampton Roads association.
Graphic
THE 8 MEMBERS
The following are members of the YMCA of South Hampton Roads:
Chesapeake Family YMCA, 1033 Greenbrier Parkway, Chesapeake. Call
547-9622.
Downtown Norfolk YMCA, 312 W. Bute St., Norfolk. 622-9622.
Effingham YMCA, 1013 Effingham St., Portsmouth. 399-5511.
Greenbrier North YMCA, 2100 Old Greenbrier Road, Chesapeake.
366-9622.
Hilltop Family YMCA, 1536 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach. 422-3805.
Indian River Family YMCA, 5660 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach.
366-0488.
Mt. Trashmore Family YMCA, 4441 South Blvd. 456-9622.
Suffolk Family YMCA, 2769 Godwin Blvd. 934-9622.