YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids’ Post

Please say hello to 10 more of our emerging leaders! 🤩 The Y's Emerging Leaders Resource Network is a community that exists to deepen the commitment, connection and passion that next generation leaders have for the Y movement.

Hurry, golfers! Time is running out to register for the YMCA Golf Outing on August 12th at Blythefield Country Club! Only 11 FOURSOMES LEFT! Don’t miss your chance for a fantastic day on the green while supporting a great cause. Secure your spot NOW before it’s too late! Register today by contacting [email protected] or online at https://lnkd.in/gPhA8fxT.

We are grateful to first lady Jill Biden for visiting YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin a few weeks ago during Camp Corral, a program offering free camp experiences to children of injured, ill and fallen military heroes. During her time at camp, Dr. Biden also highlighted the Administration's program to combat hunger through summer nutrition programs and toured our kitchen to learn more about our work. Thank you, Dr. Biden, for your time and support. We hope to welcome you back soon! Photos by: Zachary Rickel

Over the next three Fridays we’ll be sharing 28 emerging leaders throughout our association. We're so proud of all of these staff members and feel lucky that they've chosen to be a part of our association. The Y's Emerging Leaders Resource Network is a community that exists to deepen the commitment, connection and passion that next generation leaders have for the Y movement. Please say hello to our first 10 emerging leaders! 🤩

Please join us in giving our new Chief Advancement Officer, Sara Mooney, a warm welcome! 🙌 Sara's background in development and communications will create a long-lasting impact throughout our association and we're excited to see her shine. ✨

May is 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, and we are celebrating the history of Asian Pacific Islanders within the YMCA movement. Did you know that the first Chinese American YMCA was founded in San Francisco in 1911? To this day, the Chinatown YMCA plays a pivotal role in the community. Slide through this post to learn more: 𝗗𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝗞𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗸𝘂 was a gold medal Olympic swimmer who trained at the Central Y, setting world records for the 400 and 500 relay races in 1916. Following his Olympic career retirement, Kahanamoku traveled and conducted swimming exhibitions—it was during this time that he popularized the sport of surfing in the United States, which previously had only been known in Hawaii. Born in 1914, 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗶𝘆𝗮𝗺𝗮 worked for the YMCA full time for 39 years—from 1941 through 1980—except for his time in a government internment camp during WWII. While in this camp, Hoshiyama created YMCA-based programs to help address the social, educational and recreational needs of the Japanese Americans held in the camp. He was also instrumental in revitalizing the YMCA student movement in the 1970s, and a scholarship in his name provides professional development for Y staff of Asian Pacific Islander heritage to this day. #APAHeritageMonth

We're sending a huge congratulations to two of our YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids board members, Tasha Blackmon and Shelley Irwin, have been named to Crain's Grand Rapids Business' list of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan for 2024. We're so proud to have them serve on our boards!