YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta

February's Black History Month celebrations culminated last Friday with a spirited “We Wear Black” event at the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta's Leadership and Learning Center. Guests viewed a display of innovative products and ideas pioneered by African Americans, such as the padlock, peanut butter, keychain, golf tee, pencil sharpener and potato chips. The attendees then had a competitive game of?Black History Jeopardy?before CEO Lauren Koontz welcomed guests to the event. Finally, attendees virtually attended a Zoom call of We Wear Black panelists featuring many prominent YMCA leaders across America. We wear black in unity of those who are working daily to fight injustice,?prejudice and inequity. We wear black to do our part to ensure that future generations have great opportunity and access to thrive. #WeWearBlack #YMCA #BlackHistoryMonth

On Wednesday, February 19, the Decatur Family Y hosted a celebration honoring first responders from Decatur Fire, Dekalb County Fire, AMR, and YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta staff members for their efforts in saving the life of longtime member, Dr. Arthur Yancey, last May. On that day, Y staff members performed CPR and assisted first responders from AMR and Fire crews when Dr. Yancey collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest while in the fitness center. ? Decatur Family Y Executive Director Stacey Stevens honored Beth Costello, Jessica Wuerffel, and Terrance Vinson with plaques for their life-saving efforts. Dr. Yancey, a retired Associate Professor at Emory University specializing in emergency medicine, was grateful for the Y staff and all the first responders saying, “My life is testimony to the great work all of these people do every single day”. #JointheY #Findwhatmovesyou #YMCAofMetroAtlanta

President and CEO Lauren Koontz appeared this week on “Atlanta and Company”?to talk about how the YMCA of Metro Atlanta is utilizing the grant from 11Alive and the?TEGNA Foundation?to support our Boys and Young Men of Color program. ? The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta received a grant to support our?Boys and Young Men of Color?program which is designed to address education and opportunity disparities that affect young men of color.?The program provides college and career training, financial literacy, leadership development and job placement services.? ? Lauren also shared with viewers that joining the Y helps make your community stronger while also promoting our $0 joining fee in February and all the benefits on being a member. To see the full interview click here: https://lnkd.in/enPPcQZJ #Findwhatmovesyou #JointheY #nonprofit

The history of the YMCA – like the history of the United States – is a story of incremental progress toward greater inclusion and equity for all. As we celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth, we are honoring the stories of Black leaders who helped move the Y – and America – forward, as well as recognizing that history continues to be created each and every day. ? Stay tuned as we share their journeys throughout the month of February.? ? #YForAll

On Wednesday, January 29th, the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta welcomed elected officials, donors, community engagement board members, and Y members to the official ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand reopening of the renovated J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family Y. Guests at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony were led on tours of the renovations, including renovated locker rooms, a new welcoming lobby, an upgraded play center, a new vibrant community hub, new youth development spaces and a new steam room and sauna. Guests included Congresswoman Lucy McBath, Gabby Sheely, Executive Director of the Tull Charitable Foundation, Lawrenceville Mayor David Still, Commissioner Jasper Watkins III, City Manager Barry Mock, Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson, Representatives from Senator Ossoff’s, Senator Warnock’s and Congressman David Scott’s offices, and Jackson EMC. The facility upgrades were supported?by Congresswoman Lucy McBath’s Community Project Funding request from the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Additional thanks for the generous support of the Schoen Foundation, Peach State Credit Union, Moeller Purcell Construction Company, and Piedmont Eastside Medical Center for the renovations at J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family Y! For more information on the YMCA of Metro Atlanta or the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA visit www.ymcaatlanta.org #JointheY #Findwhatmovesyou

At the Y, we celebrate Dr. King's vision of a more equitable society. To honor Dr. King's legacy of service, we encourage our members and friends to take time today to seek out ways to serve and support our neighbors. Together, we can build and strengthen communities where everyone belongs. #MLKDayofService #BelongingForAll

All YMCA of Metro Atlanta facilities will be closed Monday, January 20, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

All YMCA of Metro Atlanta branches will remain CLOSED on Saturday, January 11, due to inclement weather. Please check your inbox, our app, and website for updates on Sunday's opening time.

??From Hot-lanta with love ?? Let us tell you a little story about spending time with the amazing team at YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta. Every conversation, every laugh, every challenge that comes our way, every high-five, and every moment of teamwork reminds us why we do what we do. These folks aren’t just doing amazing work—they’re some of the most passionate people we’ve met. Whether we're talking about the latest program initiatives, walking through the facilities, indulging in a sugar rush from the candy cart, or just hanging out, you can feel how much they truly love what they do. ?? It gives us all the feels, reminding us how meaningful our work is and driving us to work even harder to support them in their mission.

We are ready to kick off 2025 with an amazing line-up of speakers. To start us off, we are excited to have guest speaker, Lauren Koontz, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, come and share on January 14th about "Leading Through Crisis and Calm." As President and Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Lauren leads the organization’s efforts to ensure that all people --— especially children — experience an equal opportunity to fully reach their potential. With a career spent in educational and health nonprofit development, she’s committed to the purpose of making the Y a thought-leader and best-in-class provider of education, wellness and youth development programs designed to strengthen Atlanta communities. She is the first woman president & CEO in the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s 165+ year history. Functionally, she is responsible for the overall success of the Atlanta Association’s 20+ membership and program branches, 13 early learning centers, 60+ afterschool sites, five outdoor & summer resident camps, the YMCA Leadership & Learning Center, and the teams of employees and volunteers who bring these places and programs to life. Lauren joined the YMCA of Metro Atlanta in 2012 as its Chief Development Officer and was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2016. Previously, Lauren served in leadership roles at Coxe Curry & Associates, Emory University School of Medicine, Mount Vernon School, and the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As a volunteer & board member, Lauren specializes in leadership, strategic planning, board training & advancement. Those boards include being on the Board of Advisors for the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, the Truist Community Advisory Board, the Board of Advisors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, etc... In 2024, Lauren was selected and completed Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program. Also in 2024, Lauren was inducted into the YWCA of Greater Atlanta’s Academy of Women Achievers. In 2022, Lauren was recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs. In 2020, Lauren was named one of Atlanta Magazine’s Women Making a Mark. Lauren is a member of Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2018 and is an active Leadership Atlanta alum and volunteer. In 2016, she received the YMCA’s highest honor --— the “Sully” Award, named for Thomas Sullivan, YMCA’s founder in the U.S. --— for exemplifying the mission and values of the YMCA. In 2013, Lauren was named among the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “40 Under 40.” Lauren speaks frequently on panels & podcasts on nonprofit management & leadership. A Georgia native, Lauren grew up on St. Simons Island. She received a BBA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Georgia State University. Lauren is married to Brad Koontz, a technology executive, with whom she has two children, Kate, 20, and Sam, 17. Register by Thursday at www.kiwanisatlanta.org to reserve your seat.