YMCA of Central Ohio

Every child deserves access to healthy meals, even when school is out. Our weekend and holiday backpack programs provide nutritious food to children in need, ensuring no one goes hungry during breaks. ???? Your support will Give Health to children and our neighbors facing food insecurity! Donate to YMCA of Central Ohio today at the link below, and help us spread the word by sharing this post. Together, we’re building a healthier, stronger community in Central Ohio. ?? https://lnkd.in/gFFmZTp8 #GiveHealth #EndHunger #BuildHealthyCommunities

Please join us in congratulating Erik Farley, the winner of our Individual Culture of Belonging Champion Award! This esteemed recognition is a testament to his exceptional dedication and tireless efforts in fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging within his organization and the broader community. As the Chief People, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the YMCA of Central Ohio, Farley works across teams to transform the organization’s approach to human resources, risk management, DEI, and anti-racism through systems, structures, and processes. His ability to handle challenges related to inclusion and belonging with empathy and effectiveness, coupled with his talent for motivating and influencing others, has created a lasting impact on his organization’s culture. The mentorship and advocacy he provides for underrepresented groups have significantly contributed to a more inclusive and supportive environment, ensuring that every individual feels valued and heard. Mr. Farley also serves as an instructor in the African American and African Studies Department at the Ohio State University, where he teaches courses on African American History and the Black Urban Experience. Prior to his current position at the YMCA of Central Ohio, Farley worked in student development at Denison for more than 12 years. We look forward to celebrating with him and our other award winners at our Culture Connection Awards Gala on Thursday, Dec. 5, and we hope to see you there!

An investment in the Y is an investment in the community. On #NationalPhilanthropyDay, we celebrate our extraordinary partners who support the YMCA of Central Ohio. Countless organizations and donors across Columbus stand beside us in our vision of building strong communities where all people reach their full potential. Our teammates share our mission, and help us tackle critical community challenges, from social responsibility to youth development and healthy living. We can't say it enough; it takes a village! We wouldn't be able to do the work we do without our partner philanthropic organizations, businesses and foundations. As we get closer to the end of 2024, we want to continue lifting up those who help us build brighter futures for families across Central Ohio. Together, we are creating lasting change. Thank you for your partnership and vision for a stronger, healthier community. And happy National Philanthropy Day!

No one in Central Ohio should go hungry. On #WorldDiabetesDay, we’re focused on tackling food insecurity in our region. At the YMCA of Central Ohio, our mission goes beyond fitness; we’re committed to helping our community thrive through access to healthy, nutritious food. And this year alone, we've provided over 230,000 meals to children and families through our Child & Adult Care Food Program. This season of gratitude, we invite you to join us in removing barriers to Healthy Living. Your support brings the gift of health to our neighbors who need it most, helping us deliver meals and essential health resources across Central Ohio. Donate today and Give Health to our community: https://lnkd.in/gFFmZTp8

?? It was a gift having Tenzin on our team! Young leaders like her help YMCA of Central Ohio thrive. In the Knowlton Connect's Intern Spotlight, Tenzin shares her experience, reflecting on the meaningful work, impact, and professional growth she achieved in our organization. Young leaders bring fresh perspectives, dedication, and energy to everything we do at the Y. Tenzin - thanks a million for all your hard work driving positive change through psychology! Curious about what it’s like to intern with us? Take a moment to read about Tenzin's journey below! ??

While campaigns like #GiveHope run for a season of time, our efforts to combat homelessness occur year-round. One example is jumping into conversations that lead to better affordable housing initiatives across Central Ohio. We're grateful that our President & CEO, Tony Collins, could lift up YMCA's work - and where there are needs - in a roundtable with Representative Mike Carey. Our incredible teammates and leaders in these efforts, Coalition on Homelessness & Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) & Community Housing Network, all agreed that it takes a village to tackle homelessness, and that's why our partnerships are everything. We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with remarkable community leaders committed to growing sustainable housing solutions! And once again, if you're interested in joining our mission and supporting the YMCA Van Buren Center emergency shelter, you may learn more or donate here: https://lnkd.in/gsQ3kWvR

Another #employeeshoutout: Janet is our talented Health & Wellness Director at the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA. In late September, Janet was invited by YMCA of the USA to attend the National Employee Resource Group meetingI She represented our Disability/Diverse Abilities Employee Resource Network, which she co-chairs. The DDA-ERN exists to provide awareness, understanding, and acceptance of visible and invisible disabilities, while also creating leadership development opportunities within the YMCA movement. Janet is also a member of the YUSA Disability Community Resource?Network? Steering Committee where she fights to ensure that people of all abilities have equal voice at the YMCA. She's an amazing advocate of our mission - constantly helping all people reach their full potential. We're so thankful she's part of our team!

Veterans and active duty military: Our vision of strong communities where all people reach their full potential is possible because of your service. ???? Happy Veterans Day to all who currently serve or have served, and families of those in the U.S. Armed Forces! YMCA of Central Ohio is proud to offer a $0 Join Fee for all service members, everyday, along with a special key card pictured here. We appreciate your endless bravery, protection and positive impact on our lives in Central Ohio and beyond. #VeteransDay

Congratulations to Erik Farley, a champion of diversity and inclusion across our organization, and beyond! Anyone who knows Erik knows that he naturally makes all people around him feel welcomed and known. He's incredibly deserving of a 2024 Culture of Belonging Individual Champion Award! Please join us in lifting up Erik and his leadership fostering a positive culture for all people! We're very grateful to have him on our team. Congrats to all recipients of Central Ohio Diversity Consortium's prestigious awards!

??? Happy #NationalSTEMDay! ??? Today, we’re celebrating the power of STEM education and the incredible impact it has on our youth. Thanks to our amazing partner, Battelle, the YMCA of Central Ohio has brought hands-on STEM learning to over 35,000 youth in the past two years! This summer alone, Battelle’s support helped us reach 4,750 day campers across Central Ohio, sparking curiosity and inspiring the next generation of innovators. Battelle has also enabled us to add consistent STEM programming at 4 locations! Together, we’re building a future where every child has access to the tools and opportunities to reach their full potential. And if these smiles don't showcase the joy that STEM education creates, we don't know what does. Thank you, Battelle, for inspiring a whole generation right here in Central Ohio! ?? #STEM #YouthDevelopment