Gateway Region YMCA

Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene, including our fellow YMCAs in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and all affected regions. These communities are facing devastating losses, including lives, homes, and basic necessities like power, cell service, and water. Y-USA has established a relief fund to support recovery efforts, partnering with YMCA leaders to ensure donations reach the areas in greatest need. These funds will assist both immediate and long-term recovery, helping to restore damaged YMCA facilities and rebuild stronger communities (pictured: Pretty Place Chapel at YMCA Camp Greenville, South Carolina). Consider contributing: https://lnkd.in/g6UpaEHw

📣 CALLING ALL TEENS (or parents of teens)! Are you interested in traveling to Porte Alegre, Brazil in July 2025 to build leadership skills? Play sports with Brazilian teens in an Olympic style? Teen trip applications are NOW OPEN* and will close October 25! Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gChPj_a7 The Gateway Region YMCA gives local teens the chance to travel to a region served by an International Partner for youth exchange, service learning, and cross-cultural education. In 2025, selected teens will visit Rio Grand Du Sol YMCA, an International Partner with the Gateway Region YMCA since 2008: https://lnkd.in/ge6btR-C *Candidates must be a current high school student between 14-18 years old at the time of travel and active in the YMCA (volunteer, staff, program participant, YAG, etc.). Participants will be required to pay a $300 non-refundable fee. Scholarships and payment plans are available. For more information, please contact Dan Schulze at dan.schulze@gwrymca.org.

Our brand new Mobile Y was so excited to make its debut at the CITYPARK Block Party this past Saturday to share video games and STEAM programming with fellow St. Louis CITY SC fans! ⚽ The Mobile Y provides a unique opportunity for youth and communities who can't easily access our physical YMCA locations to still engage with all the Y has to offer. Bringing FREE resources to teens and youth in St. Louis City, the Mobile Y is equipped with Nintendo Switches, 3 Xbox Series X, a VR Station, and plenty of other video games, and will even highlight STEAM programming and other Y activities! For more information and to see where the Mobile Y will be programming next, visit gwrymca.org/mobile-y.

Join us for a special anniversary event as we mark 75 years of adventure, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories at YMCA Camp Lakewood! This celebration is a tribute to the generations of campers who have made camp a cherished part of their lives. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and creating new memories to cherish for years to come. Don't miss this chance to be a part of Camp Lakewood's rich history and vibrant future: https://lnkd.in/ggpPZets 📅 Nov. 8 - 10 📍 YMCA Camp Lakewood (13528 State Highway AA, Potosi, MO 63664)

Today is the last day of #WelcomingWeek2024, a time when communities come together to embrace diversity and inclusion. According to a recent report, the St. Louis metropolitan area recorded the highest percentage increase in foreign-born population among the 30 largest metro areas in the United States from 2022-2023. Together, we're building a stronger, more united St. Louis for newcomers, long-time residents, and everyone in between! The Y is proud to welcome ALL! 🫶 🔗 Check out the article: https://lnkd.in/gPuuEGxv

This past Saturday we enjoyed an amazing Opening Day at the South County Family YMCA Adaptive Sports Complex featuring Paul Goldschmidt Field! ⚾ The sun was shining, the energy was electric, and there were so many all-stars in attendance! (Plus, the walk-up songs were on point 👌) A big thank you to all of the volunteers, and those who came to cheer on the athletes. Together, we're continuing to build a stronger, more inclusive community. 💙🙌 #YForAll #StrongerTogether Interested in being a volunteer? Click here 👉 https://bit.ly/4bnqvqO

Today we remember those who lost their lives, embrace the families and friends of those lost, and honor the brave first responders who came to help on September 11, 2001. Together, we will #NeverForget911.

It's not too late to create a plan for your future. During National Make-A-Will Month, we are highlighting our partnership with FreeWill, a platform that allows our supporters to make their wills in just 20 minutes for free! Create a plan for your future today to ensure security, peace of mind, and impact for you and your family: https://lnkd.in/g4Vy-5bu

For National Nonprofit Day, the Gateway Region YMCA is proud to show the impact we had last year. ☀️ In 2023, we created a safe summer experience for 8,101 summer campers, including day campers and those at YMCA Camp Lakewood. 🎁 1,300 families in need received gifts during the holidays through the Angel Tree community gift drive. 📚 Through Y Literacy, 147 students received 4,945 hours of instruction from 70 volunteers. Youth averaged a two-grade increase in reading level. 🌊 1,971 individuals were given FREE swim lessons whether through Go for Green, Safety Around Water, or swim outreach programming. Our work is far from done. In honor of National Nonprofit Day, please consider making a contribution to help ensure all of our neighbors have access to the life-changing programs and resources that the Y offers. Visit gwrymca.org/support-y to give today. For more on 2023's impact, view our Annual Report at gwrymca.org/news.

It's National Make-A-Will Month! Making a will provides Security, Peace of Mind, and Impact. 🫶 By including an optional legacy gift in your will, you can sustain our youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility programs for years to come. Create a plan for your future today with our partners at FreeWill: https://lnkd.in/g4Vy-5bu