Y Monthly Monday Mission Update – Belief in the Human Potential of All of Us
In the past several weeks at the Y, we hosted two events which on the surface might seem fairly disconnected: a memorial tribute commemorating the life of our long-time Y Preschool leader and friend, Betty Sterner, and the annual Y Boys and Young Men of Color retreat.
The annual Boys and Young Men of Color retreat, at Y Camp Puh‘tok, focused on the intentional engagement of young men who are particularly marginalized and undermined in our society today. Our work in this arena, which is focused on College and Career Readiness, is linked to a national Y initiative designed to use the Y’s incredible scope and scale, along with its unique capacity to work within communities in a manner that is driven by those unique communities’ needs, to demonstrably improve the opportunities and outcomes of boys and young men of color across the country.
This two-night overnight camp experience gave 25 students from Y Community Schools programs across the region the opportunity to focus on team building and camaraderie through a range of activities, exercises, outdoor adventures, workshops, and reflective sessions in an environment that is quite different than these young men experience every day.
Judging from the photos and comments below, it’s clear this immersive experience was valuable to everyone who attended.
“You’re surrounded by young black men, which is really powerful and can be really impactful for someone without a father-figure. The retreat is a non-judgmental, safe space and a great place for young men to get outside, get active, eat well and have a good time,” shares Jayden Askew, a student from Forest Park High School, a Y Community School.
“This work is trying to level the playing field and help people understand that our boys and young men of color are severely disadvantaged by being twice as likely to grow up in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty. The question is: how can we help them on their pathway to success?” shares Y Community School Director Thomas Downs Jr.
Thomas raises a very important question, one that underpins our extensive work focused on increasing equitable access to resources and opportunities for all. As we continue to build on this work, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the Y associates who lend their leadership skills and passion in providing a nurturing environment that encourages growth for boys and young men of color, which builds on and supports their innate assets and aspirations. This is work that we are and will remain deeply committed to.
Recognizing and nurturing potential is exactly what our longtime friend and colleague Betty Sterner devoted her life to. For over two decades at the Y, Betty supported with great care for countless young parents and children, nurturing them and her fellow teachers, and giving them the priceless gift of confidence, curiosity and resilience that will shape them for a lifetime.
Betty passed away last November. To honor her legacy, several weeks ago friends and family gathered at the aptly named Betty Sterner Y Preschool in Catonsville to unveil a plaque in her honor. It was a very moving and joyful evening, and reminded us all once again that the Y is not really a building or a program, it’s the sum total of the unique and compassionate people like Betty Sterner who fortify people, families and communities every single day.
Thinking about these two seemingly disparate events and their unifying connection to one organization, I realize that no matter the subject or focus, the connective tissue is believing in and unlocking the great potential that lies within us all. The health and well-being of our community as a whole is just as dependent on supporting the great potential of tiny children as it is of respecting and dignifying the greatness of boys and young men of color, and all those in between. With this in mind, today’s Mission Update tells essentially one story which are two sides of the same coin: the unending belief in the human potential of all of us in this richly diverse community in which we live.
All the best,
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland