YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

Newsroom

  • Margaret Edwartowski featured in today’s Detroit Free Press

    “It’s amazing to see something that is intended to bring joy,” she says of the Detroit Creativity Project. “A lot of these kids we serve have a lot of challenges in their daily life. A class (that has a) by-product of (making) you laugh can be kind of a godsend.”
    -Margaret Edwartowski, Y Arts Executive Director

    Read the full article.

  • Summer program at downtown YMCA teaches teens about media arts

    Model D

  • The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit Earns 4-Star Rating on Charity Navigator

    On February 1st The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit was awarded the highly sought after 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and a commitment to accountability and transparency.

    As Michigan’s recovery continues and the nonprofit sector continues to grow, gracious donors like you, continue to demand transparency and accountability from the organizations you support. Charity Navigator strives to highlight the admirable work of efficient, ethical, and open charities. As America’s premier charity evaluator, Charity Navigator provides donors with the essential information they need to have greater confidence in the charitable choices they make.

    Scott Landy, President & CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit stated, “We are grateful to be given this important distinction. This is a recognition of our hard work to become the charity of choice in Southeast Michigan through efficient and transparent leadership.”

    Achieving the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator highlights our commitment to good governance and sustainable practices. Only 25% of charities evaluated by Charity Navigator receive this honor, showing just how strong our YMCAs are in the Metro Detroit area.

    Landry continued, “We are hopeful that our continued strive for excellence will draw attention to the meaningful work we do in our community.”

    About the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

    The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

  • Our CFO, Michelle Kotas, wins Crain’s 40 Under 40 Award!

    Our very own Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Corporate Services was named one of Crain’s 40 Under 40 for 2015!

    Michelle Kotas continues to strengthen the financial standing of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit in her role as CFO. She takes on important projects that are critical to the well-being of the association, and she never falters in her commitment to pursuing the best possible outcomes, even when the situations are challenging.

    Congratulations Michelle! We are proud to work with such a capable leader.

    Read more about her award.

  • News: How a law firm is helping Detroit kids learn to swim with the Y

  • News: Individuals, nonprofits and businesses honored during YMCA ‘Power of You’ luncheon

    On Thursday, August 13, residents, area businesses, organizations and other supporters were honored at the 2015 Power of You luncheon at the Carls Family YMCA.

  • News: Livonia YMCA gives kids place to go after summer school

    Featured on Hometownlife.com

    With the help of funds donated by the Livonia Kids and Families Foundation, 65 children attended summer camp at the Livonia Family YMCA after summer school let out each day for four weeks, from July 6 to July 30.

    The Livonia Kids and Families Foundation provided $11,000 to kick off this program this year. The foundation and the Y teamed together with the goal of preventing Title I summer school students from going home to empty houses when they get out of school at noon and to encourage them to engage in summer camp at the Livonia Y instead. The funds covered the cost of staff time, snacks, crafts, camp games and other supplies.

    “This program was born out of the idea that normally these kids would go home after the summer school program ended at 12 p.m. That means either parents had to get out of work to meet their children or potentially they would be going home to an empty house,” said Brian Wolverton, Executive Director of the Livonia Family YMCA. “I wanted to close that gap so that parents could know that their kids were safe and continuing to learn after school. It ended up being a great success.”

    Next summer, the Livonia Y hopes to accommodate more kids in the program, as the need far exceeds the current spots available.

    For more information, visit ymcadetroit.org/livonia, call the Livonia Family YMCA at 734-261-2161 or stop by the branch at 14255 Stark Road in Livonia.

  • News: YMCA EnhancedFitness Classes

    Featured on Fox 2

    Kym Reed, Group Fitness Coordinator at the Carls Family YMCA, shows Fox 2 viewers some activities that can help alleviate the pain of arthritis, old age and other chronic pains.

  • News: Initiative in Detroit to encourage kids to get outdoors

    As part of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s leadership of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Outside initiative to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards and inspire millions of young adults to play, learn, serve and work in the great outdoors, Shawn Blanchard from Mayor Duggan’s Office joined Kristen Sarri, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Scott Landry, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit today to announce the selection of Detroit as one of the first 50 cities to participate in the nationwide movement.

    The initiative, funded through a $5 million national commitment by the American Express Foundation, will provide two years of funding for the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit to create a community coordinator position to help coordinate efforts, facilitate collaboration, grow resources, and increase participation in outdoor programs on all public lands – from local parks to federal lands and waters. The funding will also support efforts to engage young adults and veterans to serve on the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps and engage new volunteers during next year’s National Park Service centennial.

    Click here to read the story from Detroit News.

  • News: Detroit dad learns to swim for the love of his daughter

    Featured on WDIV

    Keith Godley used to sit on the sidelines as his daughter learned to swim at the Boll Family YMCA. He was afraid of the water because he had never learned to swim. Now, the 50-year-old father is swimming three times per week, at least. He credits his love for his daughter for diving into lessons; he did not want to hold her back from participating in water activities as she grew older.

    Kids are not the only individuals who fear water. What’s worse, is that adults’ fear of water can end up affecting their children, resulting in generations of individuals not knowing how to swim. The Y’s Detroit Swims program will teach parents to swim at no cost to the family starting this fall. Lessons for adults are also available through all YMCAs with pools in Metro Detroit. Learn more at ymcadetroit.org/detroitswims.

Media Contact

Latitia McCree-Thomas

Senior Vice-President Communications and Marketing

313-223-2499

lmccree@ymcadetroit.org

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