NRG Commits $2 Million in Hometown Support for YMCA
NRG Commits $2 Million in Hometown Support Following Hurricane Beryl —Immediate and long-term relief directed to impacted customers, employees and community organizations— HOUSTON – July 16, 2024 – As recovery efforts in Houston continue following the widespread destruction from Hurricane Beryl, today NRG Energy announced a commitment of $2 million to provide near and long-term disaster relief. The funding includes support for customer bill payment assistance, a four-county recovery fund, employee relief and charitable donations. “Houston is our home, and the widespread impact Hurricane Beryl had on our community, colleagues and customers was devastating to see,” said Rasesh Patel, president, NRG [...]
Family Camp at YMCA Camp Cullen — An Unforgettable Experience
Looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with your family before the end of the summer? We've just added three new family camp opportunities for August! YMCA Camp Cullen offers the perfect opportunity for a weekend of fun, bonding, and adventure. This family camping experience promises to exceed your expectations, providing an all-inclusive stay where meals, activities, and lodging are all taken care of. Highly accessible and catering to all ages, Camp Cullen’s Family Camp program has become a cherished opportunity for multiple generations to connect and engage. Your All-Inclusive Family Camping Experience Frequently [...]
Start Your Child’s Journey to Teamwork at the YMCA
Many adults can vividly recall a pivotal childhood moment when sports shaped their school years, friendships, or self-assurance. Whether it was scoring the winning touchdown, leading the track team to a victory, or excelling in a swim meet, these experiences often set the stage for lifelong success. Sports play a crucial role in a child's development, offering more than just athletic skills. They teach valuable life lessons and the importance of playing by the rules, skills that extend far beyond the field. Preparing Children for Success At the YMCA, youth sports programs foster self-confidence, teamwork, courage, and self-discovery. Jason Hernandez, [...]
YMCA Camp Cullen Specialty Camp Options
A week at YMCA Camp Cullen guarantees incredible fun, adventures, and memories that will last a lifetime. Here, campers experience nature up close, explore new talents and embark on an unforgettable summer journey. At Camp Cullen, we believe in providing a variety of specialty camps that cater to every child’s unique interests, helping them to strengthen skills, discover new talents, and develop confidence in their potential. Why Choose a Specialty Camp? Specialty camps at YMCA Camp Cullen are designed for campers who have a passion for specific activities. These camps offer focused, skill-building experiences while also incorporating traditional camp activities [...]
Top 10 Thrills at YMCA Camp Cullen
As the warm embrace of summer draws near, so does the excitement of one of America's most cherished traditions: summer overnight camp. YMCA Camp Cullen, nestled amidst the serene beauty of Lake Livingston just north of Houston, is gearing up to offer an unforgettable experience for campers seeking adventure, camaraderie and personal growth. With a plethora of activities and programs in store, here are the top 10 things campers should eagerly anticipate: Campfire Bonding: Picture this - the crackling of the campfire, a canopy of stars overhead, and the laughter of newfound friends. Camp Cullen's nightly campfire gatherings are [...]
Texas YMCA Announces Partnership with Bezos Family Foundation
Texas YMCA Announces Partnership with Bezos Family Foundation, Increasing Student Access to Youth Civic Engagement Opportunities HOUSTON (April 9, 2024)—The Texas YMCA, the state resource office for the 200+ YMCAs across Texas, is pleased to announce the launch of a $900,000 multi-year statewide partnership with the Bezos Family Foundation. This partnership will support increasing access to YMCA Youth and Government® programs in Texas, offering more students, schools and local Ys the opportunity to participate. The partnership is part of a $2.9 million investment that will also support youth civic engagement in Florida and Kentucky. This partnership will help close the youth civic [...]
YMCA Youth and Government Conferences
This year students in the YMCA Youth and Government (Y&G) program competed in the High School & Middle School Youth and Government State Conferences held in Austin, TX. The mission of the Youth & Government program is to help teenagers become responsible citizens and future leaders of our nation. Delegates practice democracy through mock committee meetings, debating and voting on bills, participating in mock trial court or appellate court and specializing in Legislative, Judicial, Media and State of Affairs forums. There were 122 teen delegates present at the conference and 19 were individually recognized for outstanding performance. These awards [...]
YMCA to Invest in People and Leadership as Part of 10-Year Plan
The YMCA of Greater Houston has embarked on a 10-year vision, focused on helping the community undergo a transformation that will result in empowered youth, healthier families and more inclusive communities. The first phase of the 10-year vision includes an invest in people and leadership in order to build a solid foundation to implement change. In July of 2023 Rick Cruz was named COO for the organization. He immediately turned his focus to increasing efficiency and effectiveness, and expanding the organizations reach through community collaboration. The plan included investing in staff leadership and as a result, led to internal promotion of [...]
3 Strategies for Deepening Connection
Do you tend to feel a bit lonely around the holidays? Do you have a desire to connect more closely with others but often struggle to do so? Or do you still feel lonely sometimes despite having relationships with friends and/or loved ones? If you said yes to any of these, know that you are not alone in feeling this way. According to an advisory issued just this year by the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, loneliness, isolation, and feelings of disconnection have become an epidemic in the United States, and this epidemic carries significant risks for individuals and [...]
YMCA Recipient of Child Care Grant
HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT BOOSTS EARLY LEARNING INITIATIVES WITH CHILD CARE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS The Harris County Early Learning Quality Networks Grants Empower Local Organizations to Amplify Their Voice in Education. (Harris County – October 19, 2023) - Early childhood plays a crucial role in the development of young minds, setting the foundation for future success. Harris County Commissioners Court has awarded five organizations a combined total of $18.8 million to improve child care quality over the next three years via the Early Learning Quality Networks (ELQN) initiative. Children at Risk will serve as the Network Support Hub (NSH) coordinating [...]
