CULTURE CONNECTION
AT THE YMCA OF METRO FORT WORTH
INSIDE THE ISSUE
For Your Education
Inclusive Language
Global Leader Certification
For Your Engagement
YUSA ERGs Local ERGs Join a National Steering Committee YUSA Scholarships Now Open
For Your Calendar
National Mental Health Awareness Month
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
Older Americans Month
Tell Me Something Good
New Playground for the Ryan Family YMCA Project 505
Dryland Safety Classes
MAY 2024
We are thrilled to introduce our new newsletter dedicated to all things DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Whether you're an advocate, ally, or simply curious about these important topics, this newsletter is for you.
Each edition will feature insightful articles, interviews, resources, and tips to help you stay informed and engaged in the everevolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As DEI advocates, who are passionate about this work, we invite you to join us on this journey as we strive to create a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
Welcome aboard!
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
Diversity is a fact. Equity is a choice. Inclusion is an action. Belonging is an outcome. –Arthur Chan-
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AT THE Y
Our Commitment
The Y is made up of people of all ages, from all walks of life, working sideby-side to strengthen communities. Together, we strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender expression, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect and responsibility they guide everything we do.
Together, we celebrate strong inclusive communities. FOR ALL.
We Believe
Access, inclusion and engagement helps to ensure the Y’s continued relevancy, viability and impact as a cause-driven organization focused on strengthening community.
Why Words Matter
FOR YOUR EDUCATION
Continue Your Learning on LCDC with this month’s featured course:
As a community-serving organization committed to advancing equity and inclusion for all, it is critical that the Y demonstrates in words and actions its commitment to becoming an anti-racist, multicultural organization. All Y staff and volunteers can help move the Y forward on this journey by being mindful of and consistent in the words we use to describe the diverse individuals and communities we serve.
Words matter, especially the words we use to describe one another. Words used carelessly can make people feel diminished, devalued and alienated, as well as perpetuate hurtful and harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about diverse individuals and communities.
Conversely, intentional, inclusive language can make people feel seen, validated, respected and welcomed.
Using inclusive language also aligns with our organization’s core values and brand personality, which guide us in communicating in ways that are welcoming, genuine, nurturing, hopeful and determined.
View and download the Ys Inclusive Language Style Guide here.
Key Takeaway
ANTI-RACIST MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATION COMMON LANGUAGE VIDEO
This video highlights common terms and definitions used at Y-USA as we progress towards being an Anti-racist Multicultural Organization. Click the course name to be directed to the LCDC.
Leadership Competency Developed: Inclusion
This course is recommended for all leadership levels.
Once completed, you will earn .25 credit hours towards your leadership certification.
Email mpierce@ymcafw.org a copy of your certificate by May 31 and be entered into a drawing for a $50 Gift Card.
Language is ever-changing. The purpose of the language guide is to help to ground a common language across the Y Movement to better understand and highlight the diversity of the many individuals we serve and employ. Generationally, words have held significance, value, and offense for different groups, and this glossary strives to bridge the gaps between current meanings, previous usage, and new terms to support various identities. For individuals to show up as their most genuine selves, the Y must be intentional with creating space to allow participants, members, staff, and volunteers space to self-identify and share different dimensions of their diversity.
Did you know the Y offers a Global Leader Certification? The YMCA Global Leader Certification is a training pathway that enables staff and volunteer leaders to gain the basic skills and cultural competencies needed to help Ys address and effectively respond to rapidly changing community demographics. The process prepares staff and volunteers to make their Ys more relevant to diverse and global communities and deepen their involvement in the worldwide YMCA movement. Participants in the program learn to use a DIG (diversity, inclusion and global) lens when looking at the world, and specifically the communities in which they work. For more information on how to obtain your Global Leader Certification, click here.
YOU CAN WIN $50!
YUSA ERGs
FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT
YMCA Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are employee-led groups that seek to provide a space for the support, networking, and development of YMCA professionals from a variety of cultures and/or different experiences. These groups are open to all YMCA employees and volunteers.
Mission Behind ERGs
YMCA of the USA believes our employees and volunteers are our most valuable assets in our quest to strengthen the foundations of communities. In order to emphasize our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment, we offer our employees and volunteers the opportunity to participate in our ERGs.
These employee-led groups provide a space for people to network, mentor one another, share their knowledge and experiences, participate in personal and professional development, enhance their leadership skills, inform strategic decisions, and provide consultation when needed - all while building meaningful connections across the movement. Overall Goals and Objectives
• Mentor/support staff/volunteer careers in the YMCA
• Make the YMCA organization more diverse and inclusive
• Build cultural awareness of the group's identified target communities
• Market YMCA services and employment opportunities to the target communities
• Support Diversity & Inclusion efforts across the Y Movement.
The 8 National ERGs
• AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE NETWORK (AARN)
• ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER LEADERSHIP NETWORK (APILN)
• DISABILITY COMMUNITY RESOURCE NETWORK (DCRN)*
• EMERGING LEADERS RESOURCE NETWORK (ELRN)
• HISPANIC LATINO LEADERSHIP NETWORK (HLLN)
• LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANS, AND QUEER + RESOURCE NETWORK (LBGTQ+RN)
• NATIVE AMERICAN INDIGENOUS RESOURCE NETWORK (NAIRN)*
• WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP RESOURCE NETWORK (WLRN)
*These ERGs are in development
Now Accepting Applications for National ERG Steering Committee Members
Join the National ERGs
Join the National ERGs and make a difference! Become a dynamic leader and help shape the future of diversity and inclusion efforts at the YMCA. Apply by Wednesday, May 15, 2024, to join the national steering committees and work alongside other cause-driven professionals to engage underserved communities, build bridges, network, share knowledge, and have fun! Don't miss the opportunity to make a real impact. Current Y staff and volunteers can click here to apply!
Local ERGs
In our ongoing commitment to employee engagement, the YMCA of Metro Fort Worth is pleased to share that we are launching two local Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Before we move forward with activating these ERGs, we’d love your feedback on what ERGs are important to you! Click here to take the short survey.
2024 YMCA OF THE USA SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
YMCA of the USA has available a variety of scholarship opportunities for Y staff to support undergraduate and postgraduate studies as well as job-related training. This document provides details regarding the select scholarship opportunities that are available for 2024 through Y-USA’s formal scholarship application process. A selection committee comprised of Y-USA and local YMCA staff will review scholarship applications and make award decisions. Award amounts are dependent on available funding each year and there is no guarantee or set amount for each award. For more information, please visit here
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
National Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health is how we think, feel and act. At the Y, we recognize that we all have mental health, and mental health is an important part of our overall health and socialemotional well-being, as well as a core component of our identity.
The Y supports the mental health of individuals and communities in all the work we do to help people reach their full potential whether that’s teaching life skills to youth in our summer camps, supporting our staff, helping people achieve their best physical health or helping newcomer immigrants access services. This type of nonclinical support is called “community care” and includes:
• Understanding mental health as something we all have—it is how we think, feel, and act.
• Applying positive self-care practices routinely.
• Engaging in conversations in a genuine way, with empathy and the intent of building meaningful relationships.
• Understanding and applying trauma-informed guiding principles when interacting with others.
• Understanding the impact of social determinants of health, systemic racism, discrimination and marginalization on mental health.
• Modeling emotion regulation, co-regulation, and effective coping skills.
• Recognizing signs that someone may be struggling.
• Connecting individuals to primary and specialty support when needed.
• Providing initial response in crisis situations.
• Initiating dialogue and collaborating with others to embed mental health informal care support throughout the community.
All the above are informed by practices found in social-emotional learning, traumainformed care and suicide prevention. Through this work, we can reduce the risk and impact of mental illness, provide early intervention, and support the process of healing and recovery. We also provide a critical bridge to formal mental health care providers when needed.
Everyone can play a role in mental health community care. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Y encourages you to identify simple ways you can care for yourself and others, such as:
• Using your powers of observation to notice when someone may be struggling with a hard day, moment or situation.
• Intentionally asking “how are you?” and encouraging honest answers so others can share and feel heard.
• Bringing empathy, compassion and kindness to your daily interactions.
• When you notice someone struggling, connecting them to mental health resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (call or text 988 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org).
Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month. Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is dedicated to acknowledging the contribution and achievements of older Americans, while sharing the importance of finding fulfillment in the aging process. Use this opportunity to highlight your Y’s Active Older Adult programming and offerings. The hashtag, should you wish to use it, is #OlderAmericansMonth.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate our diverse Asian Pacific Islander communities and elevate the Y’ s continuing journey to foster greater inclusion for all.
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.
TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD
New Playground for the Ryan Family YMCA
What an amazing two days of tireless dedication by amazing community partners! American Airlines’ Let Good Take Flight team, Dallas Stars Foundation, Sinclair Recreation and Carter’s Kids came together to install a new playground for our Ryan Family YMCA.
Safety Around Water
9 in 10 parents see swimming as an essential life skill, BUT 24% have low confidence in their kids’ ability to stay safe in the water. Studies have shown that minority children are three times more likely to drown. Studies indicate that 60% of all African-American children are unable to swim. Today, a residential pool is 14 times more likely to take a child's life than an automobile.
Did you know the YMCA offers FREE dryland education at elementary schools to practice water safety techniques without water? The Y is committed to providing communities with effective swim safety presentations and ongoing educational information.
Mitchell Boulevard’s 1st-5th graders learned crucial water safety skills such as: the importance of never swimming alone, lifejacket safety and how to call for help.
Project 505
The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth wants to extend a big THANK YOU to our friends at United Way of Tarrant County and their One Second Collaborative for awarding the William M. McDonald YMCA a grant for Project 505!
Led by Huston Mgbemena, this pilot program is dedicated to addressing teen gun violence for at-risk youth. Together we can make a difference in our community!
If you’re interested in helping with Project 505, please contact Huston at hmgbemena@ymcafw.org.
Good News to Share?
Do you have a good news story around diversity, equity and inclusion, and want to be featured in our monthly newsletter? Send your news and a photo to mpierce@ymcafw.org.