YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta

Over two days, Delta Air Lines team members showed what 100 years of service truly means—giving their time, energy, and heart to support YMCA gardens and community wellness. At the Good Sam Urban Farm and the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family Y Community Garden, 20+ volunteers helped prepare spaces that will nourish families and support food equity efforts this summer. We’re honored to be one of the 100 service projects celebrating Delta’s Centennial and can’t wait to keep growing together. 🌿 #Delta100YearsOfService #YMCAAtlanta #CorporateVolunteering #CommunityPartnerships #CSR

This past Friday, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s hosted the 62nd Annual Good Friday Breakfast celebrating the power of faith, service, and community under this year's theme, "Fuel for Good".   Kevin Greiner, President & CEO of Gas South, was honored as the recipient of the Bransby Christian Leadership Award – the Y’s highest volunteer honor. Named in honor of Joe Bransby, the award recognizes individuals who exemplify extraordinary leadership and service to the community. A longtime and steadfast supporter of the YMCA, Greiner's visionary leadership and Gas South's philanthropic generosity have made a profound impact on programs that serve individuals and families across metro Atlanta.   Gas South has been a steadfast supporter of the YMCA, contributing over $1.3 million in lifetime giving along with numerous hours of volunteer time and projects. Their partnership has been especially transformative for the Y’s Adaptive Swim program, which serves individuals with diverse abilities by promoting water safety, building confidence and fostering inclusion.    Along with adaptive swim, Gas South has been a longtime advocate for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiatives. Since 2020, the company has invested in the establishment and development of multiple YMCA STEAM Labs enabling their creation and ongoing support.   Thanks to everyone who attended and to Gas South and Delta Air Lines, among many others, for their support of the Good Friday Breakfast. Photo credit: Kat Goduco Photo / @katgoduco

This week, Congresswoman Lucy McBath, who represents Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, visited the Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA. Congresswoman McBath is no stranger to the Y movement! She learned how to swim at her local YMCA growing up in Illinois and recently helped secure federal funding for the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA’s facility upgrades, which was previously in her district.   In 2024, Congresswoman McBath switched to a new Congressional district, which includes the Carl E. Sanders at Buckhead Family YMCA and the YMCA Chattahoochee Early Learning Center and was eager to learn all about the Y activities happening in her new district! Our team took Congresswoman McBath on a full tour of the facility. She met with our staff, board members, learned about our Safety Around Water programming, visited our tennis and pickleball courts, engaged in STEAM projects, heard directly from our after-school enrichment scholars, and even tried out our rowing machine in the fitness center!   Thank you for the visit, Congresswoman McBath!

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