YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta

On Thursday, October 3, The Summit Family YMCA hosted a Disability & Inclusion Resource Fair in partnership with Crossroads Church and Pathways Center. This event aimed to connect and provide resources for the 5,523 individuals living with disabilities in Coweta County. Exhibitors from various sectors, including health, wellness, adaptive equipment, and therapeutic support, showcased their services for individuals and families. The fair highlighted our Y's adaptive programming and reaffirmed our commitment to accessibility for all. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from various speakers and engage with a Social Security Insurance pop-up office, as well as meet with attorneys and advocates. We extend our gratitude to our sponsors: Campen Estate Planning, LLC, Cargill, and Goldberg & Associates for their support in making this event a success.

We are honored to have hosted the exceptional team from AchieveIt at the East Lake YMCA on October 2nd. A total of 36 team members dedicated their time to giving back to our Active Older Adults (AOA) in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 💗 Their contributions included decorating the lobby, assembling breast cancer care packs, constructing furniture, and establishing a dedicated breast cancer library for our members. In addition to these initiatives, the team engaged with our AOA members through games and meaningful conversations, fostering lasting connections and cherished memories. A huge thank you to Lindsey and the AchieveIt team for their hard work, dedication, and community spirit! We are incredibly grateful for your impact.

Lauren Koontz, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, kicked off Georgia Pre-K Week by reading to a classroom of 4-5-year-olds at E.A. Ware Early Learning Center on Monday morning. Georgia Pre-K Week, observed from October 7 to 11, brings together individuals from across the state to celebrate high-quality early education and emphasize the importance of Georgia's Pre-K Program, which has served over 2.6 million children since its inception in 1992. This year’s event continues the tradition of engaging state and local leaders with Pre-K classrooms throughout Georgia. YMCA board members and staff have committed to reading in-person at one of the Y’s 30 Pre-K classrooms in Fulton, DeKalb, and Paulding counties during the week. Lauren read "The Kissing Hand", a heartwarming children’s book that helps ease separation anxiety for young children. Research shows that children enrolled in Georgia’s Pre-K Program demonstrate significant growth across key developmental areas, including math, language, literacy, and social-emotional skills. The program fosters essential social competencies such as cooperation and communication, helping to ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten. #GAPol

The J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA successfully hosted its ‘Fore the Kids’ fundraiser on Thursday, October 3, at Top Golf Buford. All proceeds from this event will support the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA’s Why It Matters campaign, their annual giving initiative dedicated to enhancing the lives of children in our community. These funds will provide over 1,800 youth with access to swim and safety classes, as well as offer more than 1,000 children the opportunity to attend Y summer camps. We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors—RSUI Group, Inc., Collins Cooper Caruso Architects, Georgia United Credit Union, Highlander Design + Build, and Piedmon Eastside Hospital—for their invaluable support. Together, we are making a meaningful impact in the lives of our youth.

The YMCA of Metro Atlanta had a productive day at Primrose Schools National Headquarters, where 45 volunteers assembled 178 classroom kits in under an hour for our Early Learning Readiness program. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Primrose team and CEO Jo Kirchner for their unwavering dedication and support, which contribute significantly to enhancing the educational experiences of early learners in our community.

On Saturday, September 28, KABOOM! partnered with the Harlem Globetrotters at the Eastlake Family YMCA to highlight the importance of play as part of the CDC Foundation’s National Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. The event, which was open to all children and included students from M.A. Jones (a YMCA of Metro Atlanta 21st Century Afterschool site at the Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA), focused on promoting good nutrition as a foundation for building strong, healthy, and thriving communities. The event featured remarks from key leaders, including KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff, Lauren Koontz, President & CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Meryl Harrell, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, and Congresswoman Nikema Williams. Attendees were also treated to a special performance by Harlem Globetrotters athletes Alex "Moose" Weekes and Cherelle "Torch" George, who not only showcased their basketball skills but also engaged with the children by teaching them some of their signature tricks. The event emphasized the connection between nutrition, play, and overall community wellness.

VOLUNTEER TO READ! 📚 In-Person Readers Needed! Share the gift of a book with our pre-K students. Read a book of your choice for a 4–5-year old audience to celebrate #GeorgiaPreKWeek. 🎒 In-person readers at 8 sites. Monday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 9. 8:30 AM–2:00 PM. 30-minute time slots. Sign up at: https://lnkd.in/guPi9m-B

In the 13th annual Coaches Clinic hosted by the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Academy and presented by the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, over 200 local basketball coaches gathered at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex. Led by Hawks Head Coach Quin Snyder and the assistant coaching staff, the event aimed to provide valuable insights and best practices to local coaches, equipping them with advanced tools and methods to enhance their coaching skills and elevate youth basketball in Georgia. Snyder emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge, stating that providing coaches with effective techniques leads to improved instruction and a stronger passion for basketball among Atlanta’s youth. Kristin McEwen, chief experience officer of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaboration between the YMCA and the Hawks as a powerful force in developing leadership and inspiring the next generation of athletes. The clinic serves as a key educational opportunity for local coaches to strengthen the coaching community and foster growth in sports. Read more on our blog ymcaatlanta.org/blog.

On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s President & CEO, Lauren Koontz, participated in a significant roundtable discussion and signing ceremony at Atlanta City Hall. The event, hosted by the U.S.Department Labor, focused on advancing workforce development through the Atlanta Good Jobs Alliance. Leaders from across metro Atlanta, including U.S. Acting Secretary Julie Su, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and representatives from organizations like Goodwill of North Georgia, City of Refuge, Inc., and the Gateway Center, gathered to publicly commit to the Department of Labor’s Good Jobs Principles. During the roundtable, Lauren highlighted the essential role the Y plays in supporting working families. As the largest provider of Head Start in Georgia, she emphasized how these programs not only support children’s development but also provide a pathway to stable employment for parents. The signing ceremony symbolized a shared commitment to addressing workforce needs in Atlanta and ensuring that all community members, especially underserved populations, have access to good jobs and economic opportunities.

Today on (Y) Connect, we share an inspiring and heartfelt story highlighting the transformative power of community, fitness, and perseverance. Louisa Merchant, a long-time YMCA member, and Cindy Augustin, a cherished group exercise instructor who has been instrumental in Louisa’s fitness journey, join us for a meaningful conversation. Louisa recently wrote a letter to YMCA leaders, reflecting on the past few months and how the Y has helped her regain physical strength and find renewed hope. We’re excited to have them share their stories and discuss the profound impact the YMCA has had on their lives. Listen to today’s episode here: ymcaatlanta.org/podcast