Making the YMCA of Coastal Carolina Accessible For All
Everyone deserves access to great community programs like the YMCA. That’s why the Makulinski Family Foundation is a proud supporter of The 2022 Open Doors Support Campaign.
The YMCA, or the Y as it’s affectionately known to its members, has grown exponentially since its founding 170 years ago. Today, the Y is America’s leading nonprofit organization, engaging and empowering more than 10,000 communities across the nation. The YMCA of Coastal Carolina offers two state-of-the-art locations to its members, including Claire Chapin Epps and Georgetown.
The Makulinski Family Foundation shares the Y’s dedication to strengthening local communities with opportunities to build healthy minds, bodies, and spirits. The Y happily welcomes everyone through its doors to enjoy its programs and facilities, and fosters a particular interest in nurturing the community’s youth.
With opportunities such as after-school programs and teen camps, the Y helps kids develop healthy living habits and a sense of social responsibility. The Y’s programming ensures children have all they need to learn and grow.
Now more than ever, children need a foundation of consistency and access to strong mentorship. The Y offers dozens of programs that help families and children develop healthy habits and make positive social connections with other community members. The MFF is proud to help make these opportunities possible.
The Open Doors Annual Support Campaign
As with any organization, the YMCA of Coastal Carolina requires funding to maintain its facilities and programs. As such, there is a membership fee for families interested in joining. Unfortunately, one out of every eight families interested in joining the community experience financial challenges and may not be able to afford annual membership dues.
Several years ago, the organization launched The Open Doors Campaign to address the needs of financially strapped community members. The campaign raises funds to provide scholarships to individuals and families with financial challenges.
The YMCA of Coastal Carolina has proudly continued the tradition of an annual Open Doors Campaign to support families who cannot afford the standard Y membership dues every year. The fundraiser ultimately benefits family members of all ages, especially children and teens who gain access to programs their family would otherwise not be able to afford.
Families can apply for financial assistance all year round, so it’s crucial that the Open Doors Campaign meets its fundraising goals to continue offering support to families in need at any time.
The Makulinski Family Foundation is dedicated to supporting these families, particularly regarding the education and character development of the community’s youth.
That’s why we’ve proudly offered a $25,000 match in funding to the Open Doors Annual Support Campaign. This contribution helps the YMCA of Coastal Carolina surpass its annual goal, allowing more families access to the incredible resources and programs the Y has to offer.
The Impact of a $25,000 Match
With a $25,000 matching contribution, more than 40 families in need can enjoy membership at the Y for an entire year. This includes childcare, mentoring, and social services on top of the many health and wellness programs offered by the Y.
Open Doors offers more than a membership — it provides families and their children with peace of mind and equitable opportunity.
A YMCA of Coastal Carolina membership allows families to take advantage of programs designed for youth of all ages. Some of these programs include:
- Nursery School
- Babysitting
- After School Programs
- Day Camp
- Teen Camp
- Youth Sports
- Youth Fitness Programs
With financial assistance, any family and child can experience the Y’s facilities, interact with volunteers, and learn from instructors. Decades of research suggest that when young people are involved in extracurricular community programs and events, their academic and life outcomes dramatically improve.
The Open Doors Campaign breaks down financial barriers to make these outcomes possible. The Makulinski Family Foundation is grateful for the chance to make the Y more accessible to all. As of April 2022, the match has garnered more than $25,000 in additional funds for the program.
If you’re interested in contributing to the Open Doors Campaign, you can do so by clicking here.
- Article by Amanda Kern (April 2022)