Act Six Leadership & Scholarship Initiative

Full-Tuition, Full-Need Community Leadership Scholarship – Whitworth University and Gonzaga University 

The YMCA of the Inland Northwest is proud to host the Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative with Whitworth University, Gonzaga University and Degrees of Change. Act Six brings together diverse, multicultural cadres of young people who want to use their college education to make a difference on campus and in their communities at home.

What is Act Six?  A full-tuition, full-need scholarship to Whitworth or Gonzaga Universities. Students spend their senior year of high school working with the program meeting regularly to build a cadre ready to provide support to their peers while learning about leadership, diversity, and finance management, all designed to help students succeed academically, and grow as service-minded leaders. During their time on campus, strong support continues with ongoing leadership development and vocational connections designed to inspire scholars to serve their home communities.

Eight scholars are selected per cadre each year from Spokane to attend Gonzaga or Whitworth University and the Program Supervisor, Alexis Nicholson is also an Act Six alum from the fourth cadre at Gonzaga University.

2018 Spring Newsletter

Join us on Facebook for updates on the application process and information about the cadres.

Donations for this program are graciously accepted which will keep this opportunity available to our youth in Spokane County for years to come. Support Act Six

For questions or more information about Act Six, please contact Spokane Act Six Program Supervisor at Alexis Nicholson or 509 777 9622 x 413.

To apply for an Act Six scholarship, visit the official Act Six website.

The YMCA of the Inland Northwest is committed to eliminating food insecurity and hunger in Spokane County by feeding children nutritious meals and snacks. Working with USDA, school districts and other agencies, the Y provides thousands of meals and snacks, at no cost, for children regardless of their participation in our programs.

Childcare Centers:

Early Learning programs at the Central Y and Eastern Washington University serve meals made from scratch using whole foods. Young children in our preschool programs explore a variety of fruits and vegetables, enhancing their taste buds for healthy foods.

Summer Meals:

Two of our Summer Day Camp locations, at Thornton Murphy and Emerson Parks, are open sites for all children 18 yrs and younger to receive free meals. Regardless of their participation in our programs, any child is welcome to eat with us. The Y also collaborates with the American Indian Community Center and the Emmanuel Family Life Center to feed children on site who rely on free and reduced-price meals served during the school year.

Free Meal Service: Mon, June 18 – Wed, Aug 29, 2018

Thornton Murphy Park, 3101 E 27th, 99223: Breakfast 8 – 8:30am | Lunch Noon – 1pm. Emerson Park, 1116 W Alice, 99205: Lunch only Noon – 1pm. No meals will be provided Wed, July 4th.

“Students who receive free or reduced lunch during the school year experience significant food insecurity during the summer months. The YMCA is committed to making sure the youth in our community receive the nutrition they need year-round thanks to the Summer Food Service Program,” says Connie Reynolds, YMCA of the Inland Northwest Child Care Services Executive. 

The Summer Food Service Program is a federally-funded, state administered program. Watch to learn more. For more information, contact Kassa Brock at 509 777 9622 x 109. Summer Meals Toolkit.

Afterschool Meals:

All 19 of the Y’s afterschool sites provide healthy, nutritious snacks as part of the program. This fall, we started serving super-snacks at two high-need afterschool sites. At the Central Y, afterschool dinners are served to all teens in the Teen Center, including newcomer children and teens from World Relief.

Homework Clubs

Offered exclusively for Northwood and Mountainside Middle School students.

Get help with homework, connect with other students and have fun!

When your student wants help with school work or class projects or needs to make-up a missed test or assignment, the homework club is the place to be after school. Adults offer structured and supervised time but make sure to add in some fun as well. After between 60-90 minutes on school work, the focus shifts to physical activity based on 5 components of fitness with games, field trips, work on community service projects and more. Snacks are provided to keep brains engaged and bodies humming.

Clubs run after school Oct – May, meeting Tues, Wed & Thurs from 2:30 – 5pm. Attendance each day is not required and no preregistration is needed but students must have a ride home. Activity bus rides home available.

Open enrollment during the school year. Inquire at Mountainside or Northwood school office or contact Joy Schneider, 509 777 9622.

YMCA Leaders Club is a service based program designed for teens to achieve their full potential as leaders
• Develop Leadership Skills
• Make New Friends
• Volunteering Opportunities

Contact: Adam Swensen or 509 720 5612 x 412.

Outside the Box

Students attending North Central High School

Transitioning into high school can sometimes be a scary thing. Outside the Box gives students the tools to have a positive and successful high school experience. Homework help, community building activities, and social skills are only a few of the benefits gained by participants. Give your student the chance to improve their high school journey by working with a positive adult mentor.

Information packets and applications are available in the Public Office at North Central High School.

For more information please contact Site Director Adam Swenson, 509 777 9622 x 412.

Thanks to our funding partners for support of this program.

Information for Parent & Program Participants

Reach and Rise is a therapeutic mentoring group created to support youth from ages 8-15. Each week, two safe, supportive and trained adults meet with a group of six students to help them improve self-esteem, decision-making skills, school performance, and interpersonal relationships. Together, they share diverse experiences, create meaningful relationships, and develop a stronger sense of belonging within our community.

For more information contact:

Tori Osteraa Program Coordinator, 509 720 5798, tosteraa@ymcainw.org

Safe Sitter® Babysitting Workshops

Ages 11-16

Better Sitters Today. Better Parents Tomorrow.

Prepare for a future of Babysitting through our Safe Sitter® Workshops. Created by a doctor, this course will teach your teen or adolescent what it takes to be a safe, nurturing babysitter and how to gain the confidence to be successful. These foundational skills can be beneficial throughout life, especially in future interactions with children. First Aid and CPR certification are not included in this course but will be addressed. Fee includes a Safe Sitter Student Manual and 6.5 hours of instruction.

Fee: $55 Program Members | $40 Youth & Y Members

All classes are 9am – 3:30pm (please bring a lunch)

May 11  |  Valley Y

Workshops are available for your group or club. For information on scheduling a special workshop, please contact Jamie McKinley.

Classes must have at least 5 students registered by closing on the registration deadline. If not, we will cancel the class and offer to transfer to a future session.

For more information, please contact Jamie McKinley.

Learn to avoid being a target, handle confrontation, read body language and non-verbal cues, use your voice and handle multiple types of threats. Program runs monthly. Fee: $50 p/mo Program Members, $35 p/mo Youth & Y Members. Ages 13+

Register Now

Teen & Youth Centers

Ages 12-18

Your Place to Belong. YMCA Teen and Youth Activity Centers offer a safe, friendly, and casual atmosphere for teens age 12 – 18. Each center provides adult supervision and a fun place to hang out with friends. Our staff build positive relationships with teens through games, special events and programs created by teens.

The North Y Teen Center has a music studio equipped with Apple® media software for recording and music lessons. Individual recording times are available for one-on-one sessions with our trained staff, as well as beginning music lessons at North and Valley Ys for those who are just starting out. Centers offer X Box 360 and X Box One gaming systems, chalk walls for artistic talents, and staff willing to help make connections to programs and job opportunities.

During the school year, every Mon-Thurs from 4 – 5pm will be designated as homework hour. Priority will be given to students desiring to do homework and receive assistance from staff.

School Year Schedule

Summer Schedule

Teen Centers will be closed following branch holiday closures: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

YMCA Earth Service Corps

Grades 7 – 12,  June – August

Have fun and make a difference. A summer program designed to keep teens busy and productive during the summer break. YESC is an innovative youth-led program that encourages students to take a hands-on role in creating a healthier environment in their schools, communities, and region while nurturing respect for diversity within the natural world. Meets at Central YMCA, Mon – Thurs 10am – 3pm. For more information please contact Site Director Adam Swenson, 509 777 9622 x 412.

Youth Legislature – YMCA Delegations

Grades 8-12

Experience the democratic process from the inside. Youth Legislature is a student-directed model offering teens the opportunity to develop leadership skills, explore a career in public service, write and critique law, and travel to Olympia, WA, each May with teens from around the state. This year, 2019, will be the 72nd delegation. Teens will assume the roles of Senator, Representative, Lobbyist, Journalist, or state-wide officer.

All Delegations travel to Olympia, WA – May 7 – 11, 2019

While in Olympia (5 days), accommodations include: hotel room, transportation, four breakfasts and four dinners. Students are responsible for lunches.

Delegation Preparation Meetings

Thursdays 5:30 – 7pm at YMCA corporate office, 1126 N Monroe
$65 Program Member
$50 Youth and Y Member

Register

Olympia Trip

$430 Program Member
$400 Youth & Y Member

Register

Cost should never be a barrier to participating in YMCA programs. Financial assistance is available for those that apply. Financial assistance applications are due by Dec 31, 2018. Delegations also participate in numerous fundraising opportunities to reduce out of pocket expense to the participants.

Payment Schedule

50% of Total Fee due by Jan 15, 2019
75% of Total Fee due by Feb 15, 2019
Total fees (including financial assistance) due to YMCA of the Inland Northwest no later than Mar 30, 2019 to attend trip to Olympia. No refunds for this program. 

For more information or if you are interested in getting a Youth Legislature Delegation started at your school or youth center, please contact 509 777 9622 .

Youth Investment Program

Ages 13 – 19

The YMCA Youth Investment Program intervenes and invests in the lives of at-risk youth ages 12-19. We provide support, guidance and the opportunity to fulfill required community service through a variety of job settings. Teens are introduced to the values and principles that will help them succeed in an array of work environments, while also being shown the true value in themselves. Participants are encouraged in life goal-setting and enhancing their work skills by working closely with positive adult mentors in a productive environment.

At work in our community

GREENHOUSE: The Valley YMCA houses a commercial grade greenhouse with full heating and cooling systems. Utilized by the Youth Investment program, the greenhouse offers program participants a unique opportunity to experience the basics of horticulture. Working alongside quality adult mentors, participants acquire work ethic and practical skills as they grow, care for and sell plants. Every spring, the greenhouse is open to the public where annuals, house plants, and vegetable starts can be purchased. Proceeds directly support the Youth Investment program.

LAWN SERVICE: Youth Investment Program provides lawn and yard care services including mowing, trimming, weeding, raking and cleaning flower beds. We offer a unique opportunity for local businesses, non-profits and individuals to partner with us and help area youth learn valuable job skills and work ethic. Discounted lawn services are performed alongside and under direct supervision of YMCA staff.

To learn how you can support this valuable program or to schedule your lawn services, please call 509 777 9622 .

Our thanks to our sponsors who make this program possible.

Youth Leadership Spokane

High School Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors

YMCA of the Inland Northwest and Leadership Spokane joined forces to produce the Youth Leadership Spokane (YLS) program.

YLS is a 10-month civic leadership training program based on the principles of servant leadership and cultural competence for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. It is designed to develop the next generation of community-minded leaders by creating strong and healthy youth, and empowering them for service to each other and their community. It is a great way to get to know teens from other schools and gain the skills and connections with area leaders to become successful young leaders.

The application process for Class of 2018 is now closed. We will accept applications for Class of 2019 in January 2018.

Go to Leadership Spokane to apply or for more information.