Spring Y Spirit 2023

 A MESSAGE FROM TIM HALLMAN, DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EMPHASIS

Dear Friends,

Flowering magnolia trees are so beautiful but too brief; roadside red bud and ornamental cherry blossom trees last a little longer but you still have to stop and soak it in before they are gone too soon. We can get too busy to pay attention to the beauty and goodness right in front of us, including the people God has brought into our life. When you show up at a YMCA, there's an opportunity to pay attention to those around you, build a friendly connection, encourage, to lighten the burdens of others. This is the Y at its best when members expand their circle of care to those they exercise next to. At the YMCA Good Friday Breakfast our CEO Andrew Gritzmaker referenced Father Greg Boyle in casting a vision for ways our Y can inch "ourselves closer to creating a community of kinship such that God might recognize it. Soon we imagine, with God, this circle of compassion. Then we imagine no one standing outside of that circle, moving ourselves closer to the margins so that the margins themselves will be erased."

At the Y we want to give you opportunities to build a healthy spirit where you can slow down and inch closer to an ever-expanding circle of compassion. You can do this by stopping to visit with one of our chaplains at a prayer table in our membership branches, or join us for the National Day of Prayer on May 4th at eight different Y locations, or travel with us October 6-15 to the Holy Land as we walk and pray where Jesus did as well as befriend and encourage leaders with the East Jerusalem YMCA. Volunteer with us at our camp clean up on May 6, or with Trail Buddies at three of our branches or with our youth gardens at four of our branches. There's already something special about the spirit of the Y, about the smiles and laughter, determination and achievements our members bring with them when they walk through our doors. We just want to expand that joy-full circle of compassion a little more, building up a healthier community of kinship for all. Wouldn't that be beautiful to behold?

2023 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN - THANK YOU!

The 2023 Annual Campaign recently wrapped up, raising over $1,000,000 for financial assistance thanks to the generosity of our community. The campaign makes the Y available to all people. By making connections, we share stories of impact and raise funds that allow people to become part of the Y family where they can learn, grow and thrive in ways that they never imagined. Financial Assistance from this campaign offers many resources to the local community such as access to a membership for a struggling family, afterschool care for children of working parents or outdoor camp experiences for youth to stay active during the summer.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER THURSDAY, MAY 4

Pray Together With the YMCA
You are welcome to pray with the Y at a branch near you! We are offering a variety of options throughout the day for our Y members and the community to join together with us in non-partisan prayer for our country and our communities, for our leaders, schools, families and the YMCA.

Whether you can join us in person or in spirit, let us pray as a community to God for abundant wisdom, courage, grace and strength for the challenges and opportunities we face together.
Each event is open to Y members and the community—all are welcome.

Get prayer event details >>

Thank you to the YMCA Mission Sponsor of the National Day of Prayer:

CORPORATE CHALLENGE

The YMCA Corporate Challenge exists to provide a competitive experience in a fun and friendly environment. The challenge is a multi-week competition among companies, churches, or teams working to win the traveling trophy or spirit award. Each week has a new event that challenges and encourages team work, mental and physical skill, and communication.

For more information on the Central Branch YMCA Corporate Challenge, contact Noah Little at 260-755-4802.
For more information on the Whitley County Family YMCA Corporate Challenge, contact Abby Witte at 260-272-0543

18th ANNUAL GOOD FRIDAY BREAKFAST

The 18th Annual YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne Good Friday breakfast featured 3-time Paralympic Swimmer, Team USA Captain, and Indiana State Alum, Austin Evans. Through his storytelling he helped attendees understand that failure can be turned into fuel, goals don’t just change but also evolve and that in the end, the process of pursuing lifelong goals is the greatest prize.

The Y is grateful to Title Sponsor, Brotherhood Mutual, Event Sponsor, STAR Financial Bank, Social Media Sponsor, Master Spas, and the 520 people who came together to celebrate the Easter season. For information about participating in the 2024 event, please contact Tim_Hallman@fwymca.org.

Thank You 2023 Title Sponsor:

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Interested in volunteer opportunities? Please email volunteer@fwymca.org.
Current opportunities for volunteering:

• Camp Kekionga Cleanup | Saturday May 6, 9:00 am - 12 pm
  • Give back and help spring clean at Hodell Acres!
  • Learn More Here >>
• Become a Trail Buddies volunteer!
  • Trail Buddies invites people who have a physical disability or are unable to pedal a bike to go for a ride in the fresh air.  This free, inclusive program allows adults and kids to be pedaled by caring, trained volunteers with our specialized bike.
  • To get involved, contact Rebekah Coffey, Director of Adaptive Services, at rebekah_coffey@fwymca.org or (260) 755-4961.

Learn More About Trail Buddies Here >>

Click the Video Below to Learn More about Volunteerism at the Y:

INDIANA YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT

On March 10-12, high school students from around the state gathered at the Indiana Statehouse and Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites for a three-day mock legislative, judicial, executive, and media conference.

The conference provided experiential learning for young people and public forums to recognize the abilities and capabilities of youth. Students who are a part of YMCA Youth and Government programs are given the chance to have a better understanding of local, state, national, and international concerns; research, study, and debate on public issues; explore careers in public service; interact with adult and youth leaders involved in decision-making processes; learn to appreciate the diversity of viewpoints on public issues and so much more!

This year, student delegates from Avon, Columbia City, Crown Point, Evansville, Fishers, New Albany, Fort Wayne, Greensburg, Hobart, Indianapolis, Lake Station, Logansport, Merrillville, New Haven, Newburgh, Portage, and Westport participated in the annual conferences.

Learn more about Indiana Youth and Government >>

SUMMER I & II PROGRAM REGISTRATION

FIND AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

Keep up-to-date with the latest Y news, events and programs and connect with other members. Like us on Facebook, ask us a question or share a story!
Find and connect with your branch below:

OUR PARTNERS

YMCA Mission Partners provide financial resources to strengthen our community and move us all forward. The continued support of these companies allows the YMCA to carry out our mission - making a meaningful, enduring impact in our community.

To inquire how your business can become a Mission Partner, contact Nicole Hansen, Director of Mission Advancement, at 260.918.2144. 

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATION:

Foellinger Foundation

SEE GRANT INFORMATION