Houston’s Hidden Crisis: Why Connection Must Become a Civic Priority
Houston’s Hidden Crisis: Why Connection Must Become a Civic Priority As a teenager growing up in a working-class neighborhood in southeast Houston, Mireya Corona would sometimes sneak into her local YMCA when the front desk staff was distracted taking a call or helping a member. It wasn’t a desire to play basketball or use the pool that prompted these visits, but a deep yearning to feel connected with others. “I lived with loving parents who would do everything they could for me, but I didn’t know who to turn to. Many of my peers at school and in my [...]
YMCA and Texans Expand NFL Flag Football Programs
The YMCA of Greater Houston is proud to strengthen its partnership with the Houston Texans by expanding its Flag Football program for youth boys and girls ages 4-15. As part of NFL FLAG, the YMCA Houston Texans Flag Football Program will provide young athletes with an opportunity to learn fundamental life skills, teamwork and game strategies in a supportive, engaging environment. The YMCA of Greater Houston aims to enroll 1,000 participants across 17 YMCA locations throughout the Greater Houston area, increasing community access to a program that fosters a sense of achievement, connection and belonging. Registration is open and [...]
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 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 [...]
YMCA and HP Expand Digital Equity
The organizations strive to empower and enhance community members’ learning and well-being through digital literacy programs and STEM education and open first YMCA Digital Hub at West Orem Family YMCA HOUSTON (May 22, 2023) – As part of the YMCA USA and the HP Inc. global partnership launched in January 2022, the YMCA of Greater Houston plans to accelerate digital equity and improve learning outcomes among youth, seniors and underserved communities. In the first year of the initiative, the YMCA of Greater Houston anticipates serving 5,000 Houstonians to enhance community members’ learning and well-being through digital literacy and STEM [...]
YMCA of Greater Houston Appoints Rick Cruz as COO
YMCA OF GREATER HOUSTON APPOINTS RICK CRUZ AS NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Cruz to strengthen YMCA offerings and expand reach to more individuals and families across Houston HOUSTON (July 18, 2023) – The YMCA of Greater Houston is pleased to welcome Rick Cruz as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Cruz will work directly with President and CEO Stephen Ives to oversee the varied impactful programming the YMCA offers the community, including health and fitness centers, youth programming, swimming, childcare, camps, refugee resettlement and services that strengthen the community. As a member of the leadership team, Rick Cruz will support the YMCA [...]
YMCA of Greater Houston Makes Significant Mark in Houston in 2020
Critical Efforts focused on food distribution, child care, seniors, teens, and addressing racial and social inequities and garnered an $18 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott HOUSTON (DEC. 30, 2020) – For 134 years, the YMCA of Greater Houston has served as a cause-driven organization where all people can find hope, fellowship and healing. Despite the many challenges 2020 brought to Houstonians, the Y continued to strengthen its core mission, building on the long history of supporting communities, as well as responding to critical needs. During the pandemic the Y made a commitment to address isolation, food insecurity, health disparities, learning [...]
YMCA Receives Historic Gift from MacKenzie Scott
Gift to accelerate the Y’s innovation and outreach efforts and expand local equity initiatives HOUSTON (December 15, 2020) – The YMCA of Greater Houston received a transformational gift from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The $18 million gift is the YMCA of Greater Houston’s single largest donation in its 134-year history. It will lay the groundwork for the organization to accelerate innovation, expand community outreach programs, advance equity work, and provide an avenue for all in the community to not just speak change, but to truly spark it through YMCA involvement as an Impact Member. “We are honored MacKenzie Scott [...]
YMCA Expands Child Care Funding for Essential Workers
Programs provide free tuition to help families in need get back to work HOUSTON (November 9, 2020) – In response to the economic crisis facing the community, child care providers, and families due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Harris County has awarded the YMCA of Greater Houston funding to support residents with child care and virtual learning services to help them get back to work in their communities. This funding is a result of the Harris County Commissioners Court’s unanimous vote to spend $4.7 million from the CARES act to help families and child care centers, with $2.9 million allocated to [...]
YMCA of Greater Houston Enhances Programs With Foreverwell
Program offers a variety of opportunities for adults age 55 and better to stay active, engaged and connected with others HOUSTON (September 11, 2020) – The YMCA of Greater Houston has recently introduced ForeverWell, a new era of programming for members ages 55 and better. The program allows for a more inclusive community while staying healthy, active and connected through activities – helping maintain a healthy spirit, mind and body and making this chapter in life the best one yet. The YMCA of Greater Houston’s new ForeverWell program features learning opportunities, future social events and more in efforts to help alleviate heightened [...]
