YMCA of Muncie to Offer ‘Access for All’ Membership

By: Kristen McConnell—

The YMCA of Muncie is offering new membership categories and pricing to enhance their community service.

Muncie, IN– The YMCA of Muncie announced at a press conference, a recent demographic and community needs study prompted a revamp of membership categories, rates and the financial assistance process.

The Y, which operates 3 membership locations, a child develpoment center and a summer resident camp, will now have four membership categories, each at the most affordable rate possible. They will also recognize specific prequalifiers, including: SNAP, TANF, CHIP, HIP and SSI,  that will provide immediate approval of financial assistance, removing barriers due to limited income. The financial assitance program is supported through gifts to the YMCA’s Annual Campaign which annually provides more than $500,000 in assistance.

“The YMCA of Muncie desires to be welcoming and inclusive to All in our community.  By removing barriers and streamlining access to opportunities, we can build a stronger, more vibrant and sustained community, together.”  YMCA of Muncie CEO, Chad Zaucha.

The biggest change is the expansion of age in the young adult category. The Y recongizes that adults age 19-30  are more transitional than in the past. They want to make the Y affordable to mentor and help emerse this demographic in the opprtunities our community and Y offer.

“The YMCA offers a positive environment for people to nurture their bodies, minds, and spirits, said YMCA Board Chair, Jeff Mantock. We’ve changed our pricing structure to make membership more accessible so that more people will enjoy a YMCA experience. This will ultimately improve the health of our community.”

“Partnering with the YMCA of Muncie on this initiative was a smart match with the values of IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital and managing the health of our community,” said Pete Voss, MD, Chief Medical Officer, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. “Making healthy lifestyle choices more accessible has the potential to make a positive impact for generations.”

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Muncie has served Delaware and Kosciusko Counties since 1881, with an excellent track record of providing quality mission driven programs that enrich the lives of all people in spirit, mind and body.

In 2016 the YMCA served more than 16,000 unduplicated men, women and children while providing more than $458,000 in financial assistance to ensure everyone has access to life changing YMCA programs.  Visit the Y online at www.muncieymca.org or on Facebook @YMCA of Muncie.

You can view the news conference in its entirety below.