Welcoming Week brings together neighbors of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming and inclusive places in achieving collective prosperity.
In honor of Welcoming Week, the YMCA is hosting a Free Friday on September 17. We are waiving the day pass fee, AND waiving the $25 join fee for anyone that becomes a member that day. Spread the word!
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Registration for the following youth programs is now open! Space is limited. COVID-19 protocols are in place to help keep our members, participants and staff safe.
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Flag Football
Is your little athlete ready to develop their football skills and learn about teamwork and sportsmanship? Geared for youth in Kindergarten-4th grade.
9/13-10/20
Monday & Wednesday 5pm-6pm
Member $60
Non-Member $80
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Happy Feet
Little one want to be a soccer star? Kids learn the basics of the game with our youth soccer skills & drills program
specially designed for youth ages 3-6.
9/21-10/26
Tuesdays
4:30pm-5:15pm
Member $45
Non-Member $60
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Happy Hurdlers
Does your child love running, jumping and all things fun? Our track & field program will help burn off that energy! Program is designed for youth ages 3-6.
9/23-10/28
Thursdays
4:30pm-5:15pm
Member $45
Non-Member $60
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Swim team resumes September 13, and runs until November 23rd.
Register your swimmer for one of the four options of swim team: Intro, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels.
Swim Team is for swimmers age 5 and up.
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Seeking quality care for your child after school?
Registration is now open for the After School Care at the Winona Family YMCA and the Bluffview Montessori location!
September 8, 2021- June 8, 2022
Available Monday-Friday
Families choose the days needed
2:45pm-5:30pm
Kindergarten - 6th Grade
Daily Rate: $10/day for first child; $8.50 for each additional child.
Families choose the days of care needed.
Financial assistance is available, and is easy and confidential.
Transportation from school to the YMCA provided by Winona Area Public Schools.
Please email questions to the Child Care Coordinator, Chloe, at cwilkins@winonaymca.org, or call 507-454-1520
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Parks Avenue Road Closure |
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Beginning September 13th, Parks Avenue near the Mankato Avenue intersection will be closed for approximately four days, as crews work to replace a gas main.
To access the YMCA during the closure, members will need to use the access road off HWY 61, or the Parks Avenue entrance immediately before the first entrance by Winona Health on Mankato Avenue.
Our apologies for any inconvenience.
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2021 Winona Daily News Best of the Best Contest |
Help Winona Daily News celebrate the best our community has to offer!
It’s time to NOMINATE your favorite business or person! Nominations start on Tuesday, August 31 and you have until Thursday, September 16 to nominate them!
If you nominate at least 25 business/people you are automatically entered to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!
Contest Schedule:
The Best of Winona Nominations: August 31 - Sep 16
The Best of Winona Voting:
October 5 - 21
The Best of Winona Winners Announced: Sunday, December 12
The Winona Family YMCA would love your support!
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Best In Area Grilling Competition |
Don't miss the Best In Area Grilling Competition on Saturday, September 4th from 12-2pm.
This is one of many awesome events that make up the Big Muddy Brew 'N Que weekend. Get your $10 ticket and enjoy 7 samples from area restaurants.
The YMCA is paired up with Nosh Scratch Kitchen, so come fill your tum-tum with some yum-yum and vote for Nosh!
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As the last days of summer dwindle away, and the flip flops and swimsuits get replaced by new sneakers and backpacks, the Winona Family YMCA prepares for a new bunch of kiddos to spring from the school bus into the care of our After School Care Counselors.
The Winona Family YMCA offers quality after school childcare programming that runs from September to June, to provide an option for parents seeking a fun and engaging, safe place for their K-6th grade children Monday through Friday, from the time school ends to the end of the work day.
After School Care Coordinator, Chloe Wilkins, says she feels the After School Care (ASC) program is a beneficial program to Winona families, as it provides an affordable child care option in the area, as childcare options are limited. The ASC program allows for daily homework time, with help from our highly trained counselors, a healthy snack provided by Winona Area Public Schools, active movement time in the form of games and gym time, crafts, STEAM exploration, and many other activities focused and designed for encouraging youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, in addition to promoting caring, honesty, respect and responsibility-the YMCA's core values.
“Back-to-school is always a fun time, and we are excited to welcome families back and provide kids with a fun experience at the Y,” said Chloe. “We have a great new facility that allows us to offer a variety of activities for the kids. The Family Fun Center indoor playground was a fan favorite last year!"
Drew Kjos, an ASC and Summer Care Counselor, is excited to continue to see the kids grow through their time at the YMCA, and to be an upbeat support system to children who may be struggling with their academic content. "I want to put my best efforts towards helping them succeed and not struggle. I want the kids to meet new friends and have fun, too."
The ASC program is one of the many programs that YMCA Membership & Marketing Director, Lisa Engfer, is looking forward to her children attending. Lisa says the program is beneficial to her in several ways. "The ASC program will be great for me and my three children. It provides an opportunity to have great childcare, with really fun staff that I know and trust. They'll be close to me at the end of the work day; they'll be able to be their busy and social selves while meeting new friends, and maybe even other children at their new schools. The program also offers an opportunity for my oldest to get involved by volunteering to be a Junior Counselor. The kids think I have the coolest job on the planet because I get to come to the YMCA everyday, so now they will get to, too!"
Registration for ASC is limited and must be made in advance, but there is still room to welcome new and returning ASC participants. Registration can be done online, in person or by contacting Chloe. The program is $10 a day for the first child, and $8.50 for each additional child within the family. Families can choose the numbers of days of care needed. Families may also apply for financial assistance for memberships, programs and childcare, which is an easy and confidential process.
Covid-19 protocols and procedures are in place to help protect the children and staff, and the organization will continue to monitor the guidance and recommendations of health professionals.
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Every End Is A New Beginning - Child Watch & Child Care Update |
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We are sad to say goodbye to two amazing team members - Leanne Pozanc and Chloe Wilkins.
Leanne has been a key part of our Child Watch team for over 18 years, and Chloe has worked diligently to strengthen our Child Care program for the last four years. Leanne's last day is Saturday, August 28th. Chloe will be transitioning out over the next month. Both will be greatly missed! Please join us in wishing them the best, and thanking them for all their years of service at the Y.
As we send our best well-wishes to our departing team members, we have the opportunity to welcome additional talent to the team! We are excited to welcome Kitty Starzecki as our new Youth Development Coordinator! Kitty has a strong background in childcare and will oversee the Child Care and Child Watch programs. Miss Becky will still be the familiar face that families know and love in Kids Corner, and members will have the added benefit of seeing her in additional areas of the Y as she shares her talents with additional departments.
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Leanne Pozanc is enjoying her last days as a Kids Corner staff member, before she begins a new adventure of caring for children in a whole new way -being a bus driver!
While Leanne will miss spending playtime with the YMCA kids, singing the fun and silly songs, teaching children colors, numbers and letters, she is taking with her over 18 years of happy memories.
Leanne says it has been rewarding watching the children and families grow, and witnessing the transformation of many of her young co-workers grow and mature into their adult lives.
Leanne is appreciative of the many connections made at the YMCA, from the classes and programs that she and her own children participated in, to helping others, especially parents of small children learn more about the Y and the child care programs, as Leanne understands the value of parents having a fun and safe place for their children play so they can focus on themselves for a little while.
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When Chloe Wilkins began her journey as an After School Counselor with the Winona Family YMCA five years ago, little did she realize the positive impact the organization and the youth the organization served would have on her life.
At the time, Chloe, a Freshman at Winona State, thought the After School Care (ASC) Counselor position sounded like it would be a lot of fun, it was flexible, part-time, and a great position working with kids, which would be a fantastic fit for the future elementary teacher. As the children in the ASC program grew and matured, so did Chloe. Over the years, the ASC Counselor was promoted multiple times. From ASC Co-Lead, to ASC Lead, and from Lead, to the ASC Coordinator, in which not only did her responsibilities and organizational rank increase, but her skillset and experience in both the administrative functions of working with children, and her teaching and classroom management experience flourished as well.
The memories created in ASC over the past five years are ones that Chloe will forever cherish. Playing with the children at Windom Park to the gymnastics and kickball games in the previous facility, and the the fun in the current Family Fun Center, are some of her favorites. Looking back at her own personal and professional growth during her time in Winona, Chloe states that the YMCA has, and will forever be, a key part of her college experience, and that is something she will never forget. Chloe is thankful for the support of all the parents, children and fellow team members over the years who have helped prepare her for her new role as a full-time substitute teacher at Winona Area Public Schools this fall.
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A familiar face has been added to our Personal Training team! Hannah holds a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and Minor in Psychology from Winona State University. She is a YMCA-ACE Certified Personal Trainer who has gained valuable experience from interning here at the Winona Family YMCA.
Hannah is excited to join the Personal Training team and work with members on an individual basis to help them achieve their wellness goals!
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We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross and open our space for monthly blood drives. Blood drives are held in the Clara Barton Room, located off the Main Lobby.
Upcoming dates:
September 3, 9am-3pm
October 1, 9am-3pm
December 3, 9am-3pm
December 23, 9am-3pm
Make an appointment and save a life.
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Winona Family YMCA
www.winonaymca.org
507-454-1520
902 Parks Avenue, Winona, MN
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