At the YMCA, our goals are simple: provide programs that enable individuals and families to strengthen their spiritual, mental and physical well-being.

Each February, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA and its four branches undertake a six-week fundraiser. This year, the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign hopes to raise $460,000 from individuals and businesses in the community. The funds will provide financial aid to families in need and to help subsidize the cost of YMCA programs that cannot be sustained through fees alone.

Much has changed over the years. For-profit businesses now offer some of the services that the Y provides. However, YMCAs have always stayed ahead of the curve, maintaining the latest workout equipment, providing state-accredited child care, offering quality swim lessons and first-rate camps. YMCAs also offer the intangibles: parent-child programs that build strong family bonds, exercise programs that keep seniors active and physically strong, child and family events that create lasting memories and a wonderful sense of belonging and community.

Unlike for-profit businesses, the YMCA will not turn anyone away because of the inability to pay. Throughout the years, thousands of kids in our area have been able to attend YMCA away-camps and participate in parent-child programs, child care and swim programs because of generous donations from the community. And that's one reason the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign is so important. It's our only big fundraiser of the year and we're asking all those who can to pledge support to the Y.

A gift of $100 provides swim lessons for three children; a $250 donation makes it possible for a child to attend a week of summer camp and participate in educational and creative programs; a $500 gift allows eight kids to learn skills, sportsmanship and teamwork through participation in YMCA youth sports; a $1,000 donation enables a child to be part of a YMCA after-school program for three months, and an opportunity to make new friends and strengthen values.

To find out how to make a donation, contact the YMCA corporate office: Lori Kent, 497-3081, lkent@sevymca.org. Donations can be designated to a specific branch.

Sacramento Youth & Government Conference

A number of local teens will act as officers and hold key positions at the 60th Annual California YMCA Model Legislature/Court, part of the YMCA's Youth & Government program. The conference began Friday and runs through Sunday in Sacramento.

For nine months before the conference, more than 2,300 California teens meet at 80 YMCAs to learn about state government and discuss the issues facing California. During this time, they write bills, select governmental positions to role-play in Sacramento, attend statewide training conferences and run for elected offices. In February, the teens use state Capitol conference rooms to hold mock hearings in which they debate the merits of bills brought before the legislature.

Local teens from the Triunfo YMCA elected or appointed to official positions for the February Model Legislature/Court are Nikki Benzimira, attorney general; Gabrielle Cherney, secretary of the Senate; Casey Gerber, National Issues Committee presiding commissioner; Vinny Haskin, committee chair; Shadee Ashtari, newspaper editor; and Lauren Kebab, magazine artist.

From the Conejo and Miller Family YMCAs: Lindsey Dooner, speaker of the assembly; Xavier Volgenau, an attorney to the Supreme Court Justice; Jesse Rueckert, top three finalist for the 61st annual youth governor; Caitlin Johnson, Ashley Cordero and Chelsey Pasley, legislative committee chairs; Melissa Demyan, jury trial program participant; Jared Graham, judicial review; Mikey McGuire, Supreme Court program; Kailey Wagner, Supreme Court justice; and Sarah Thiele, special investigative panel chair.

From the Simi Valley Family YMCA: Sandy Quiring, Kelsey Krasnigor and Courtney Bennett. All are legislative committee chairs.

The California YMCA Youth & Government motto is "Democracy must be learned by each generation."

We are very proud of our teens who are participating in the program. It gives us faith that our country will be in good hands for years to come.

For more information, contact the southeast Ventura County YMCAs at:

n Triunfo YMCA (serving Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park), 818-707-9622, http://www.triunfoymca.org.

n Conejo Valley YMCA, 523-7613, http://www.conejovalleyymca.org.

n Simi Valley Family YMCA, 583-5338, http://www.simiymca.org.

n Miller Family YMCA (serving Newbury Park), 480-0309.