By SUMMER ZIMMER
Director of Communications and Social Responsibility, Kosciusko Community YMCA

The Kosciusko Community YMCA has added a new line of programs to benefit those with special needs. These new Adaptive Programs are being led by Anne Petre, certified as a therapeutic recreation specialist, who brings knowledge and previous experience in adaptive programming to our aquatics and youth sports programs.

In aquatics, private swim lessons will be available for those with special needs for ages 3 and up. An adaptive trained aquatics instructor will work through an assessment to determine the specific needs and goals of both the caregiver and the participant. Based on the assessment, lessons will be geared toward those goals. There will also be a water motion class for ages 13 and up. Using the freedom water can provide, a trained instructor will lead participants in a variety of activities to get those with special needs and their caregiver in motion. The water motion class starts again on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. July 13. If you’d like to see a preview of the class, it is going on now at that time.

The Y will also be adding an adaptive soccer clinic for ages 4 and up. Participants will be given basic soccer instruction in a fun and safe environment outside at the YMCA. There will be a small ration of players to instructors so that all participants get the attention they need to learn and develop while staying active. The clinic will be held on Saturdays, July 18-Aug. 15 with separate times help for ages 4-6, ages 7-11 and ages 12 and up.

Steven Kuhn, director of sports and aquatic recreation says, “Adaptive programming is an opportunity to reach an under-served population. We have wonderful organizations in this community that serve specific needs, but at the Y we want to provide space and programing that is fun and social for those with special needs. The Y is truly a place for all, and these programs and Anne’s knowledge and expertise give us an opportunity to better demonstrate that. This is just a starting block for us. I foresee the expansion of adaptive programing and events to grow and evolve quickly.”

If you are unsure whether or not to have your child with special needs participate in another youth program, please contact the Y. Anne is available to discuss the specific needs of your child to determine the safest fit and communicate those needs to the instructor of the class.

The Y is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. All the efforts and offerings of the Kosciusko Community YMCA are guided by the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure everyone regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. So far in 2015 the Kosciusko Community YMCA has provided $46,155 in financial assistance to make sure that happens.