The YMCA of Metro Atlanta, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is an association of volunteers, members and staff, open to and serving all, with programs and services that build spirit, mind, and body. The organization is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure everyone—regardless of gender, income, faith, sexual orientation or cultural background—has the opportunity to live life to its fullest. We share the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility—everything we do stems from it. We know that the key to effectively nurturing the potential of children, improving the nation’s health and well-being and supporting our neighbors is a passionate, experienced and diverse array of staff, volunteers and members who value what everyone brings to the table. Working in communities across metro Atlanta makes strong diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging practices paramount for the Y. We believe that to bring about meaningful change in individuals and communities, we must be focused and accountable. At the Y, we measure the success of our cause by how well we engage communities in our three areas of focus. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Nurturing the potential of every child and teen. HEALTHY LIVING Improving the nation's health and well-being. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Giving back and providing support to our neighbors.
External link for YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta
569 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Atlanta, Georgia 30314, US
Thank you to Representative Lucy McBath, Representative Hank Johnson, Jr., Representative Buddy Carter, Representative Nikema Williams, Representative Richard McCormick, Representative Barry Loudermilk, Office of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock for meeting with us as part of YMCA of the USA National Advocacy Days last week!
We are proud to partner with the Alliance Theatre on their EXPAND Childcare program, sharing the Y's expertise in early childhood education to help them provide childcare for their artists and staff. "The YMCA of Metro Atlanta has been a vital partner in making our EXPAND Childcare program a reality," said Jennings Hertz Artistic Director Christopher Moses. "Their deep expertise in early childhood education and caregiving has been invaluable in training our teaching artists, ensuring we provide the highest quality, nurturing environment for the children in this program." Lauren Koontz, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta added, "We are so honored to be part of this amazing program. The Alliance Theatre is valuing artists and their contributions by removing the barrier of childcare so they can focus when they are on stage or rehearsing." Learn more about the EXPAND Childcare program in this video. https://lnkd.in/e9KNcxAf
Last week, YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta joined YMCAs from around the nation in Washington, DC, to advocate for continued federal support of the local programs and resources that our members and communities rely on. The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta delegation spoke with Senators Ossoff and Warnock, Representatives McBath, Johnson, Williams, Carter, and McCormick, and legislative staff from the offices of Representatives Loudermilk and Jack about the importance of YMCA programs, including Safety Around Water, Head Start, and Early Head Start. The delegation also thanked the Georgia’s Congressional leaders for their continued funding support of the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta, including Representative McBath’s "Community Funding Project" that supported recent renovations at the J.M. Tull-Gwinnet Family YMCA, Senator Ossoff’s support for new play spaces at our branches, and Representative Johnson efforts to help the South Dekalb Family YMCA received federal funds as a subgrantee. Thank you to Henry "Hank" Johnson, Jr., Lucy McBath, Buddy Carter, Nikema Williams, Office of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, and Barry Loudermilk for meeting with us as part of YMCA of the USA National Advocacy Days last week! #Findwhatmovesyou #JointheY #advocacy
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