Y Monthly Monday Mission Update
January is Community on Steroids Here at the Y!
January is always a vibrant (and this one, particularly chilly!) month filled with activity and community engagement at the Y. Partly because of the annual phenomenon of lots of families and people committing to a more active and engaging lifestyle in the new year, we’re thrilled to have welcomed many thousands of new members to the Y community! Growing community is at the heart of our mission, and there’s no better way to start the year than by strengthening new connections, friendships and activities. And as winter keeps many of us indoors, it’s a joy to see our centers bustling with little ones in Stay & Play, kids climbing the walls (literally!), energizing beats pouring from our group exercise classes, and the hum of our new fitness equipment as members lift, run, bike, and stretch.
Our early childhood education and school-age enrichment programs are also back in full swing. Following the winter break, youth returned with fresh energy, enthusiasm and curiosity as they began exploring new enrichment opportunities, activities, and projects—an exciting start to the second half of the school year."
January also provides the opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which included the annual inter-generational breakfast at the historic Y in Druid Hill on the 16th, and a day of service opportunities in all of our Y family centers on the Monday holiday. The breakfast event included a speaker and an opportunity for Y community members to engage in meaningful dialogue with one another, and across generations, about how we can ensure that what Dr. King and so many fought (and died) for is not lost as the years tick by and as our country has become so polarized.
Another highlight in January, and in fact an example of how the Y helps to break down the walls that exist in our society, was our collaboration with the Boys' Latin School of Maryland and the Druid Hill Community Health Coalition. We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation of over 200 care packages and 750 pounds of non-perishable food items donated by the Boys Latin school community to help stock our Y Fresh Mart food pantries.
A special shoutout goes to the students who dedicated their time and effort to assemble these donations. Their compassion and commitment to service exemplify remarkable character and leadership.
At the same time, the Druid Hill Community Health Coalition rolled up their sleeves to beautify the streets of Druid Hill, showcasing their dedication to the community. The Druid Hill community has long been a powerful engine for social change and we are proud that the Y in Druid Hill has been instrumental in supporting tens of thousands of Baltimoreans in this neighborhood for 107 years.
I want to thank each and every one of you who found the time in January to participate in Y community life. Whether you helped pack care packages, donated canned foods or simply danced up a storm at your favorite ZUMBA class, we appreciate you and everything you do. I think that we can all agree that community has never mattered more than it does today.
All the best,
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland