Y Monthly Monday Mission Update
What Being “For All” Means
When we talk about the Y being for all, I recognize that it can sometimes seem like a vague concept cooked up in a conference room somewhere. However, it is actually something very clear and intentional for us, and is made crystal clear by our work across the region.
Two recent Y events underscore our efforts to ensure equitable access to the opportunities that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, race or gender, need to thrive personally and fully participate in the life of our community.
Several weeks ago, we held the graduation ceremony for the Y’s New Horizons II program, honoring 60 amazing teens participating in this longstanding summer enrichment and workforce development program for students experiencing homelessness in Baltimore and Howard County, as well as Baltimore City. Every summer, this program provides a mixture of life skills and work opportunities for a cohort of promising and inspiring high school students, helping them to build a solid foundation for their dreams, interests and aspirations. For example, as I made my way around the Y’s camps across the region this summer, I witnessed many New Horizons II youth having fun and working hard, supporting our Y camp counselors. All youth participating in the program are paid for the entirety of the day. This short video provides an inspiring closer look at what they experienced this past summer.
Two weeks later, I was proud to help announce a new partnership with the Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) and the Baltimore Ravens, launching a unique swim safety program targeted to youth in Baltimore City who have not learned how to swim due to lack of access.
The launch, held at the historic Y in Druid Hill, will fund swim lessons and apparel for 100 students selected from Y Community Schools, helping to tackle the cultural and geographical barriers that have long existed and caused terrible health inequities. Swimming is a critical life skill for all of us. The CDC reports that African American children drown in pools at a rate 7.6 times higher than white children do. The Y has taught more Americans to swim than any organization in the U.S., so we are uniquely positioned to build upon that legacy for even more youth in our community. If you would like to help support this important community work, please visit our Learn to Swim Amazon Wishlist.
Fun fact: the likes of Cab Callaway, Thurgood Marshall and Elijah Cummings all learned to swim at the Y in Druid Hill, which will host most of these lessons. Perhaps one or more of these youth will go on to forge their own uniquely positive legacy.
As proud as I am of these initiatives, I am even prouder of the fact that they are just two of many, many ways the Y is working towards leveling what has historically been a very uneven playing field, and helping so many community members strive and thrive across the region.
All the best,
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland