VENTURA, CA-The Ventura Family YMCA announces the kick-off of its 2009 Campaign for Youth. Proceeds from Campaign for Youth will help meet the growing needs of Ventura and its surrounding communities by providing financial assistance for individuals and families who want and need YMCA programs but may not otherwise be able to afford them. Campaign for Youth will start on February 6th and commence on March 6th; during that month volunteers will work together to raise $115,000.

The Ventura Family YMCA has made many changes to ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to their inability to pay, especially during these tough economic times. The YMCA’s Open Doors scholarship program allows children and families the opportunity to benefit from, family strengthening, YMCA programs such as child care, day camp and programs for at-risk youth. Campaign for Youth also supports members in programs such as aquatics, resident away camp, youth sports and helps assist members in need with membership fees.

This year’s campaign theme, “Red, White, and Blue” was designed to symbolize the patriotic resurgence that Ventura is sharing along with the rest of America. Last year, the Ventura Family YMCA Campaign for Youth raised $110,721, which allowed more than 1,200 kids and families the opportunity to participate in programs. These funds were made possible through the hard work of over 80 volunteers and generous contributions from more than 359 local business and individuals.

This year, The Ventura Family YMCA is asking for help from the community. The goal is to raise $115,000 in one month. To reach this goal the YMCA is looking for team campaigners, phone campaigners and donors. In addition to monetary donations the YMCA is looking for food donors to help support campaign report night dinners as well as product donors for door prizes, which will be given to campaigners to show appreciation for their efforts

If you would like to donate or volunteer during Campaign for Youth 2009 please contact Amy Bailey at amy.bailey@ciymca.org or call 805-642-2131 ext 24.

ABOUT THE VENTURA FAMILY YMCA
The Ventura Family YMCA is a branch of the Channel Islands YMCA and serves over 20,000 individuals annually through facility memberships, before & after school childcare, day & resident camps, youth sports, swim lessons, teen programs, and many more healthy lifestyles and community enriching programs throughout Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, Santa Paula, and Saticoy. The Ventura Family YMCA is located at 3760 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003. Visit www.venturaymca.org for more information.