DEAR YMCA FRIENDS,

Every year has a quality all its own. But 2022 will stand alone for its pivotal imprint on the future course of our YMCA and, by extension, Greater Austin.

Early in the year we introduced the central concept of our revitalized brand: “Power Your Purpose.” When you find power in your purpose with the Y, you drive positive change now and for future generations. This vision informs everything we do and the invitation we extend to all those we serve.

Our March board retreat yielded landmark decisions to purchase a facility that will become a new Y center in the Four Points area of West Austin, along with exploring new opportunities at existing Y centers. Spring brought hundreds of families to Camp Moody for weekend campouts, and a return to in-person gathering at our Youth and Government State Conference.

Summer FUNtastic was a season-long celebration of over 100 family-friendly events, including anniversaries at our Northwest and Hays Communities Ys. In July, an Austin delegation joined the YMCA World Council in Denmark to ensure we aligned our 2030 Vision with the global Y movement. We also launched our Community Voices campaign to inform our next strategic plan, culminating with open houses at each center.

The Extend-A-Care Y continued strong recovery with more than 2,500 kids in summer camp and another 2,400 at more than 60 afterschool and preschool programs. Despite the growth, we continue working with school district partners as well as local and state agencies to develop long-term strategies to stabilize the sector and keep child care programs accessible and affordable for working families.

Fall brought introductions to our new Four Points neighbors with YAY Fest along with a fond farewell to Chief Operations Officer Louis Lopez to become CEO at the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. We capped the year by unveiling our 2030 Vision strategic plan, which lays out our four Impact Areas:

• Elevate Quality of Life Across Central Texas

• Educate and Empower Young People

• Ensure Equitable Opportunity for All

• Energize a Sustainable Future

Today, we are making big strides to invest in people and upgrade our Y programs and centers like never before. The explosive growth across Greater Austin compels us to keep pace and ensure ALL have access to the rich promise that Central Texas holds.

Brian Haulotte, Chair Metropolitan Board of Directors Greater Austin YMCA

Our Mission

Kathy Kuras President & CEO Greater Austin YMCA

Our mission serves all ages, cultures, races and ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and faiths. We recognize our heritage, the power of love, and a culture of belonging within our mission: To put Christian principles (such as caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility) into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body FOR ALL