I used to think that the Y is just another place for exercise and an after school program provider. When I learned how their mission is driven by the needs in the community; I decided to get more involved. I had the opportunity to join the board of The Brenda & John Duncan Family YMCA in 2019, and my discovery continues. 

Did you know that the Y centers:

• Offer swimming clinics to teach water safety and prevent drowning in communities in need 
• Have adaptive sports programs for kids with disabilities
• Continuously create opportunities to fight social inequality throughout the year: The start of the school year (with Operation backpack to provide a better start for kids in SBISD schools that need it the most), the holidays (Christmas angel tree where less fortunate kids are given a chance to participate in a little party and get gifts for the occasion), and a variety of services offered to refugees and immigrants.. 

These are only to name a few...

One event in particular solidified for me the true mission of the Y. It organized a community outreach campaign at the beginning of the pandemic. The goal was to contact vulnerable men and women and ensure they had enough food, water and safety items. It all started with a phone call to check in with the people affected the most, assess their needs and make them aware of the services and items available to them: Counseling, virtual wellness programs, food drives, etc. The men and women I spoke with were mainly happy to know they were not forgotten.