YMCA of Columbia-Willamette

Today, March 4th, is our Day of Giving at the Y!?This special day is a chance to come together as a community and support programs that strengthen our neighbors. The YMCA’s Day of Giving is all about helping the Y continue to provide essential services like feeding those in need, empowering youth, and supporting healthy lifestyles for everyone. ? Here’s a glimpse of just a few of the programs we’re supporting today: Ridgefield’s Summer Feeding Program: Meet the families who no longer worry about their next meal, thanks to the Y’s help providing meals to over 80,000 people. Your support makes moments like this possible! Beaverton’s Weekday PE Programs: Here, online learners are building essential teamwork and movement skills through our Weekday PE programs. They’re not just learning — they’re thriving! Camp Collins Outdoor Education: Watch youth gain confidence and leadership skills as they connect with nature at Camp Collins. Their outdoor adventures empower them to grow in ways that will stay with them for a lifetime. ? These are just a few of the programs your support makes possible — together, as a community, we can do so much more. Be the reason these opportunities exist. ??? Give Today at: ymcacw.io/community

Today, we stand with YMCAs across the country and commit to being an anti-racist organization by wearing black. At the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette, we are proud to create community for all and stand behind our equity statement: Our Y is committed to treating everyone with dignity and empowering all to reach their full potential as we build thriving, inclusive communities. While we have not always lived up to that vision, our Y is on a journey toward creating an organization that fully embodies anti-racist, multicultural values and advances equity for all. In 2018, YUSA’s African American Resource Network (AARN) launched #WeWearBlack as a collective demonstration against systemic inequities. Wearing black is a symbol of unity, hope, and a commitment to inclusion and belonging. ??????

Over President’s Day weekend, Oregon Youth and Government gathered in Salem for their 79th Youth Legislative Conference. Beaverton Hoops Y was proud to host two delegates from Westview High School: Tommy Li and Aarna Shah. Together, they worked hard to craft a measure aimed at addressing Oregon’s unhoused population, successfully passing it in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The measure was later signed into law by the Youth Governor. YMCA CW’s delegates were also recognized with Best New Delegation, and Tommy was honored as Best Representative. This was our YMCA's first year participating in this program, and we look forward to seeing our delegation grow in the years to come. Photo credits to Reid Holcomb at https://lnkd.in/grV8Fjy5.

Come work at the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette! We’re hiring a part-time, mostly remote Digital Marketing Assistant. If you’re in the Portland/Vancouver area and LOVE diving into data, optimizing digital campaigns, and creating fun, engaging digital experiences—this might be the job for you! Bonus (or warning?): You’ll have to work with me!!!!! Tag someone who’d be a great fit! #Hiring #DigitalMarketing #Portland #Vancouver #MarketingJobs #YMCA

At YMCA Summer Sports Camp, resilience is built through every challenge and triumph. Come explore your strength this summer. https://lnkd.in/gpbrYmTE ?? #ExploreWithY #YMCA2025 #ResilienceInAction

YMCAs across the movement commit to being an anti-racist organization and honor Black History Month in a show of solidarity by wearing black on February 28. Why do we wear black? Created by Y-USA's National African American Resource Network in 2020, we wear black to honor the struggle of those who came before us. We wear black in unity with those who are working daily to fight injustice, prejudice, and inequality. We wear black to do our part to ensure those who come after us have a greater opportunity to thrive. Join us next Friday as we wear black!

The Sherwood YMCA has officially launched its Community Campaign, focused on supporting programs that strengthen families and youth in their area. Check out David Parker’s post to learn more! #YMCA #CommunityCampaign #SherwoodYMCA

I met David Parker at a recent Sherwood Chamber of Commerce meeting, and from the start you can tell that be brings energy and joy into his work, and that he is skilled to reach a wide range of community members. I was happy to accept his invitation to come photograph the staff at the Sherwood Regional Family YMCA, part of the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette. This job gave me a chance to bring my mobile lighting equipment on site and transform a side room at the Y into my studio for the afternoon, convenient for all staff to visit as part of a day of training. I enjoyed meeting the Sherwood staff, who are a mixture of friendly energy and expertise. They bring great skills into their work for the YMCA community, and each seem to have their own active community life as well. Thank you Sherwood YMCA for gifting your best energy to the Sherwood community.

Standing with Los Angeles: Supporting Wildfire Relief The devastating Los Angeles wildfires have displaced thousands, destroyed homes, and impacted countless lives. As communities work to recover, the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette is stepping up to help by donating $10,000 to the Employee Assistance Foundation (EAF) to support immediate relief efforts. The YMCA of Metro Los Angeles has been on the front lines, providing: - Shelter for displaced families - Childcare for first responders - Emergency supplies to those in need - Mental health support for affected communities - Our hearts are with those impacted, and we encourage others to join in supporting recovery efforts. Together, we can help rebuild lives. www.ymcaeaf.org #YMCA #WildfireRelief #CommunitySupport #StrongerTogether #LosAngelesFires

??? Muddy Boots Podcast S3 is Here! Is there a difference between loneliness and social isolation? More importantly, how do we free ourselves from it? In this episode of the Muddy Boots Podcast, hosts Roger Button & Matt Chapirson dive deep into the realities of feeling alone, what “community” truly means, and how the Y is more than just a building—it’s a place where people find connection and belonging. They also share practical ways to break free from loneliness and isolation so you don’t have to go through life’s challenges alone. Let’s have this conversation together because life is easier when we walk through it with others. ?? Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gh3pbHA8 #MuddyBootsPodcast #YMCA #CommunityMatters #YouAreNotAlone