This past weekend our Y joined arms with YMCAs across the country to host Healthy Kids Day. This is an annual celebration of community and a mobilization of what we can collectively do to improve the health, wellness, and educational supports of our children. From Ocala to Kissimmee and from Winter Garden to Titusville, our Ys, along with countless local partners and sponsors, welcomed nearly 15,000 people into our facilities on Saturday and the effects, I believe, will be long-standing.
We helped to connect our youth and their families to dentists, tutors, faith partners, pediatricians, local youth arts providers, first responders and so many other businesses and organizations that make our community a great place to raise a family. And with the support of civic and business leaders, local philanthropists, pro athletes, and (the real superstars!) parents, we also read to over 2,100 young and emerging readers as part of the New Worlds Reading Initiative, a partnership with the Florida Department of Education and the University of Florida Lastinger Center.
I’m proud that our Y is positioned to reach children and serve as a convener for these types of services. I’m also proud that we’ll be hosting quarterly 'Healthy Day' events—free and open to the community—to uplift and support beyond just youth-focused efforts.
To that end, please look out for our Healthy Family Day on Saturday, August 23, Healthy Seniors Day on Wednesday, October 8, and Heathy YOU Day in early 2026. Each of these celebrations are designed to be uniquely focused on each specific audience and how we can collectively harness the strength of our partner networks alongside our healthy living programming for measurable impact.
Whether you’re new to our Y family or a seasoned 30+ year veteran of the Y, I thank you for being a part of our extended family and hope to see you at one of our future events.
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.