Change.
Summer’s grip finally seems like it’s starting to loosen. The days are shorter and the evening breeze over the past few days is a wonderful reminder that the beautiful weather we love and cherish from November to April is nearing.
I love this season of change and how it also serves as an opportunity for one last recalibration before the “busy-ness” of the holiday season kicks in.
In the Y, we spend a considerable amount of time thinking about how we must continue to change and evolve to meet the growing needs of our communities.
- We are developing new partnerships with healthcare providers to expand access to the Y and enhance the quality and diversity of our programs.
- We are teaming up with Dr. B, a medical telehealth organization, so you can use FSA and HSA funds to pay for membership.
- We are launching Y on the Fly to bring the Y to kids in communities where there are no Ys.
- We are partnering with organizations like the Senior Resource Alliance to expand program offerings to active older adults.
- We are forming new and expanding alliances with our local pro sports teams – the Magic, the Valkyries, and Orlando City Soccer – making it possible for our children to get closer to the sports and the players they love the most.
- We are opening our Ys across our 14-facility footprint to budding ministries who now call the Y home on Sunday mornings, while also offering Chaplaincy services to our members throughout the week.
I love how we’re changing and evolving, but we can’t fixate on the past or present accomplishments. John F. Kennedy once shared that “those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
I’m so thankful to everyone – volunteers and team members, program participants and facility members – who have inspired the change that we’ve seen thus far and the changes yet to come.
My only ask of you now is to continue to push us to change, grow, and be better. Help us to connect with the organizations, corporations, or individuals who can amplify what we do. Help us to be the "Third Place" that brings communities together and keeps our families healthy.
Until next time…
Kevin Bolding, President & CEO
YMCA of Central Florida
The Y. For a better us.®
First Friday messages offer a monthly peak behind the veil of leading through change from the Y’s President & CEO.