The Schuylkill YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are carried through in every program that is offered.
Robert J. “Bob” Oravitz, chief executive officer of the Schuylkill YMCA, incorporates those guiding factors into all of the Y’s fall and winter sports programs.
Oravitz has been diligently working to create a schedule that is fun and beneficial to individuals and families.
“We want the Y to be a magnet location where a family can look at us and say, ‘There’s a lot of options here for everyone,’ ” Oravitz said.
The Schuylkill YMCA Board of Directors will develop the foundation of a multi-year strategic plan by Dec. 31.
The plan has been in the works since February and will include three to five organizational goals for the benefit of the Schuylkill YMCA, which is located at 520 N. Centre St., Pottsville.
“We don’t want to try to be everything to everyone,” Oravitz said. “Not everyone will like what they Y does, but our key is to be a place for healthy living and sports activities for families.”
Oravitz’s three main goals as the new CEO are to expand membership overall, offer a greater variety of programs and serve as many communities as possible in Schuylkill County.
The programs being
planned will follow a three-pillar guideline that focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
The following is a list of programs that will be available over the next six months.
• Youth programs — Football skills and drills clinic in late October, dodge ball tournament during the first week of November, basketball league running December through February, indoor soccer league Wednesdays and Fridays from February through April, and a travel soccer team where training starts in January.
• Regular sports programs — Gymnastics on Mondays from 5-8:45 p.m., the Tempest Swim Team with open registration now and practice to start in September. Orange Crush Cheering with registration now and practice starting in September, and a martial arts/self defense class with details to be announced.
• Functional sports training — Speed/agility/quickness class during December, plyometrics for youth ages 8-11 and 12-16 clinic in early November, and plyometrics training available in January based on space available.
• Adult programs — Dodge ball tournament during the first week of November. Also, Silver Sneakers, Group Exercise, Body Sculpting, Pilates, Yoga and Spin classes all will be available in October. An adult basketball league is in the planning stages and further information will become available.
Oravitz and the board of directors for the Schuylkill YMCA face setbacks when it comes to facilities and funding.
“Creative scheduling and creative staffing are the key to any of our setbacks,” Oravitz said.
As part of the strategic plan, Oravitz looks for other options in the community and ways to expand membership for the YMCA.
“I would like to grow north of the mountain, too, because we are the Schuylkill YMCA,” Oravitz said. “The Hegins and Valley View areas are also places we would like to expand toward.”
Every program offered through the Schuylkill Y will be held at the facility in downtown Pottsville except for swimming, which is held at the Ned Hampford Natatorium at Pottsville’s D.H.H. Middle School, and travel soccer, which will use outdoor facilities provided by local schools.
The Schuylkill YMCA has two branches. The main branch opened in 2009. The second branch, the Schuylkill YMCA South Schuylkill Extension at 329 S. Liberty St., Orwigsburg, opened in 2013.
As far as funding goes, Oravitz realizes that the Schuylkill YMCA, like any other non-profit organization, faces challenges but must keep its goal in mind.
“I wouldn’t say funding is a problem, you just have to be creative based on economic conditions,”Oravitz said. “Our goal is to make programs affordable enough that people can join as members and then take advantage of our many programs.”
The YMCA is looking to be a supplement for other organizations like Little League, biddy basketball and CYO leagues to use the facilities and train in their offseasons.
The Y’s facilities include a large gymnasium, exercise room with equipment, group exercise room for classes and individual training, and a teen center with games.
More information is available by calling the Schuylkill YMCA at (570) 622-7850 or by visiting the Y’s website at www.schuylkillymca.com.
“Everything is hopes and dreams right now, but I have big goals in mind for the Schuylkill YMCA and our sports programs,” Oravitz said.