YMCA Capital Fund Promo Video from WNYMedia Services on Vimeo.

As an association of people committed to a common effort to help individuals and families reach their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body, YMCA Buffalo Niagara is committed to providing programs and services to a growing constituency throughout Western New York.

As times have changed, the Y has adapted.  Today’s demographic trends indicate a growing demand for increased Y programming in communities beyond the borders of our Northeast Family Branch location.  More than 60 years old, the 26,005 square foot facility is outdated and does not allow for the size of expansion needed due to space constraints of the property.

To further our mission, YMCA Buffalo Niagara is planning to address the growing needs of the Northtowns communities through the development of the new 92,000 square foot Independent Health Family Branch YMCA. This new YMCA will serve as an all inclusive, family oriented, recreational facility offering activities and programs committed to enhancing the lives of children, adults, seniors, and families.

IN THE NORTHTOWNS...
Located in the heart of the Northtowns, this branch will serve as a critical tool in furthering the YMCA mission by:

• reaching out to populations not currently served by the YMCA;
• providing individuals of all ages and income levels with access to health and wellness programs to suit their needs and interests;
• addressing the rapidly growing need for senior citizen programming focused on helping this population maintain their independence, health, and mental well-being;
• engaging an increased number of youth and teens in positive, healthy, and socially responsible activities focused on building leadership and social skills while helping to deter their involvement in destructive behaviors, such as drugs, gangs, and violence;
• providing expanded opportunities for families to spend quality time together while participating in special family focused activities and events;
• creating a collaboration of wellness with Independent Health and other health care providers that will help to improve the health of children, adults, seniors, and families while addressing a broader community issue of health care reform and cost containment;
• offering nutrition programs and cooking classes in partnership with Wegmans to help address diabetes and other chronic illnesses through nutritional education and programming.

...AND FAR BEYOND!
As illustrated with the opening of our Southtowns Branch in 2003, a successful, mission-driven suburban branch also serves as a catalyst to maintaining quality YMCA programming at our association’s urban branch locations.  Over the last eight years, increased revenue margins have helped to support:

• Merger with Niagara Falls in 2005 - initial capital investment of $251,750
• Renovations to the Niagara Falls, Ellicott-Masten, Delaware and Ken-Ton branches including:
• $130,870 to replace the Niagara Falls Branch’s existing and inoperable elevator
• $199,370 to renovate the Niagara Falls Branch’s men’s and women’s adult locker rooms
• $33,050 to re-marcite the Ellicott-Masten Branch pool
• $27,505 to re-marcite the Ken-Ton Branch pool
• $243,127 to renovate the Ken-Ton Branch’s adult locker rooms
• $214,965 to install new roofing at the Ellicott-Masten, Delaware, and Ken-Ton branches.
• Annual subsidies of $300,000 each to the Niagara Falls and Ellicott-Masten YMCA operating budgets totaling over $2.1 million.

The Independent Health Family Branch YMCA will serve as a self-sufficient YMCA branch with the ability to generate free cash flow.  These dollars will be largely dedicated to helping address persistent issues of poverty, the enhancement of program services, and to capital improvements at the YMCA’s urban branches.  
It is projected that the Independent Health Family Branch YMCA will begin generating profits after 18-24 months of operation. It is anticipated that once this branch is operating and reaching capacity, it will potentially provide $250,000-$500,000 annually to subsidize urban initiatives.