CULTURE CONNECTION AT
THE YMCA OF METRO FORT WORTH
INSIDE THE ISSUE
For Your Education Equity for All Advancing Equity: Systems of Inequity
For Your Engagement
Christian Mission Conference
The Academy
For Your Calendar
Disability Pride Month
Summer Learning Week
World Drowning Prevention Day
Events Around the Movement
Tell Me Something Good
Juneteenth
June Gift Card Winner
JULY 2024
ARE WE THE PLACE TO SUPPORT THOSE WITH DISABILITIES?
It’s crucial for the YMCA to support individuals with disabilities to foster an inclusive community where everyone can thrive. By offering adaptive programs, inclusive fitness classes, and accessible facilities, the YMCA ensures that people with disabilities have the opportunity to fully participate in physical, social, and recreational activities. This support not only enhances their physical health and well-being but also promotes social inclusion, emotional resilience, and community engagement. Furthermore, by providing specialized training for staff and advocating for disability awareness, the YMCA helps break down barriers to create a more equitable society.
However, it is essential to continuously ask, "Are we doing enough?" This question should drive us to regularly evaluate and improve our programs and services, ensuring they effectively meet the evolving needs of individuals with disabilities and truly fulfill our organization's commitment to inclusivity and support for all.
Let this be a challenge to us all to do better in serving this vital segment of our community, and to strive for a future where every individual, regardless of ability, feels valued and empowered.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve
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 side-by-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.
EQUITY FOR ALL
FOR YOUR EDUCATION
Equity is a continual process of ensuring that every individual has the access and opportunity they need to thrive, and are not at a disadvantage from achieving their potential because of their background, identity, or social position. To advance equity, we must evaluate and dismantle the systemic barriers to opportunities, access and resources that have prevented the full participation of some groups (based on certain characteristics including ability, age, citizenship, economic background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity/expression, national origin, race and sexual orientation), and develop relevant solutions and support systems
Y-USA’s equity strategy is a long-term pathway to help bring to life our enhanced ‘for all’ commitment: equity for all. Many supporting strategies and bodies of work contribute to our equity strategy, and its success depends on effective Movement-wide collaboration across all Y business functions, programs and operations. Watch the video below for a visual tour of Y-USA’s equity strategy ecosystem.
At the Y, we’re proudly ‘for all.’ But what does ‘for all’ mean if some of us are prevented from accessing the opportunities we need to thrive? Equal opportunity is no longer enough. To remain relevant to the people we serve and help our communities become stronger, safer and more cohesive, we need to lead with equity. That means working to identify and remove the barriers that have historically prevented some of us from thriving, while ensuring that each individual can access the unique support they need to reach their full potential with dignity. Our equity strategy is a long-term pathway to help bring to life our enhanced ‘for all’ commitment: equity for all.
CONTINUE YOUR LEARNING ON LCDC WITH THIS MONTH’S FEATURED COURSE: Advancing Equity: Systems of Inequity
To fulfill the Y's purpose of strengthening community and to support the Y's goal of becoming an anti-racist, multicultural organization, Y staff must develop their knowledge of systemic issues resulting in inequities and utilize an equity lens to improve outcomes in all areas of their work. In this course, staff learn to use an equity lens as they identify issues faced by marginalized communities. Through a series of scenarios, staff examine the various systems that exist in society and the inequities therein. This course, Systems of Inequity, is the first of a three-part series about the Y's approach to advancing equity. Staff are encouraged to take all three courses in the eLearning series.
Leadership Competency Developed: Communication & Influence, Inclusion, Emotional Maturity Email mpierce@ymcafw.org a copy of your certificate by July 31 and be entered into a drawing for a $25 Gift Card. Click the course name to be directed to LCDC.
FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT
2024 NATIONAL YMCA CHRISTIAN MISSION CONFERENCE
Several YMCAs across the United States are joining together to host this event and it is open to all YMCA staff, members, Church partners and volunteers. We will pray together, worship, learn from Scripture and talk about some creative ways to live out the YMCA Christian mission in our communities.
DATE: October 7th, 2024 at 4pm to October 10th, 2024 at 9am
LOCATION: Silver Bay YMCA in upstate New York
• The closest airport is 80 minutes away in Albany, NY (ALB)
• We will do our best to help connect people for carpooling to and from Albany, NY (ALB)
COST: $300 (includes room, meals and conference fee)
Additional Information
A generous donor is providing limited scholarships for YMCA Chaplains/Christian Mission Directors and Pastors partnering with the YMCA.
Apply via our Google Doc Form
• Please prayerfully consider attending AND bringing another YMCA leader with you.
• Please promote this opportunity within your YMCA network.
• Please pray for us as we aim to strengthen the YMCA Christian Mission!
Questions? Email Josh Heaston
THE ACADEMY
Overall purpose of the experience: The Academy is a leadership development program designed to help leaders become familiar with leadership expectations, establish strong foundational skills, and ultimately set up for success as leaders in the YMCA of Fort Worth. The Academy guides leaders through six intentional pillars: etiquette, professionalism, operations, supervision, facilitation, and leadership. It also incorporates the 70/20/10 learning model through a combination of online, inperson, and hands-on learning.
As you are working toward earning your Team Leader certification through Y-USA, which requires an “Experience Elective.” Y-USAhasofficiallyapprovedtheAcademyasanacceptableelectiveforyourExperienceElectiveforyour TeamLeaderCertification!
Join the next Academy Cohort!
Dates: July 11-August 22, Thursdays
Time: 1p-4p
Audience: Required for full-time leadership staff
Registration: Daxko > Metropolitan Office > Classes & Activities
FOR YOUR CALENDAR
EVENTS AROUND THE MOVEMENT
July 9: An Introduction to Link Link is the Y's knowledge sharing and social networking platform. Join a 45-minute platform overview; learn the basics of navigation; and leave with tips, tricks, and tools to maximize your Link experience! Register Here
July 19: MLD Brave Spaces
These spaces are designed for our BIPOC leaders, our allies, and all those from historically/systematically excluded backgrounds. Brave Spaces are meant to be where we can come together, show up for each other as our most authentic selves, and be brave and honest about how we are, what’s heavy on our hearts and minds, and voice to the group what we need. Register Here
July 23: APILN - Gather for Tea Time
It's time for tea! Grab that bubble tea, prepare your chai, brew some oolong, or pour any one of your preferred cup of tea and join us for another edition of APILN Tea Time!
This safe space is open for those who identify as Asian Pacific Islander (API) and our API allies to gather for idea sharing, networking, and expression. Discussions can include the current social climate, work environment, leadership development, and other topics related to API or otherwise. Register Here
July 23: Infusing Equity Series
Infusing Equity Series are short, 30-minute webinars that showcase easy-to-implement, and practical ways to operationalize DIG efforts. Register Here
July 31: Welcoming Week Webinar
This webinar will cover all the marketing assets and social media tools available for Welcoming Week Register Here
SUMMER LEARNING WEEK: JULY 15-19
• Literacy & Learning
• Arts
National Summer Learning Week is a celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of summer learning! Let's work together to keep kids safe and healthy every summer, and ensure they return to school ready to succeed!
The annual national awareness day is now a week-long celebration of the awesome power of summer learning through five unique themes.
• Wellness, Health, & Sports
• STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)
• Community & Leadership
For more information on how to engage youth and families, click here.
WORLD DROWNING PREVENTION DAY
Drowning has caused over 2.5 million deaths in the last decade. Globally, the highest drowning rates occur among children aged 1–4 years, followed by children aged 5–9 years. The human, social and economic toll of these losses is intolerably high, and entirely preventable.
In 2023, the 76th World Health Assembly adopted its first ever resolution on drowning prevention. The resolution accepts the invitation of the United Nations General Assembly for WHO to coordinate actions within the UN system on drowning prevention and facilitate the observance of World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25 each year. Use this opportunity to raise awareness on drowning as a public health issue and reinforce your Y's commitment to water safety through any relevant programming and/or resources. #DrowningPrevention
DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH
Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. At the YMCA, we’ re committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Use this opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community.
People with disabilities deserve to live full, self-determined lives, just like everyone else. Yet discrimination persists for the 1 in 4 U.S. adults living with a disability. That’s why we spotlight inspiring stories in July and beyond that show what’s possible with inclusion.
TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD
JUNETEENTH: FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATION
The YMCA welcomed 200+ community neighbors and members to this year's Juneteenth celebrations hosted at the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown YMCA.
During the program, the Y's Juneteenth Resiliency Awards were presented. This award recognizes one youth/young adult (ages 13-21) and one business/organization who has exhibited true resiliency (also known as grit, determination, dedication, perseverance and persistence) to make meaningful contributions and outcomes in their lives and/or the lives of others in the Black community.
This year's recipients were: Ar'Naiya Franklin and Brandi Pace owner of Brandi Pace Music.
This year's celebration also featured an art showcase and competition. Youth were challenged with creating an art piece that depicted what Juneteenth means to them. The winners were:
1st place - Stage Reyes, 2nd place - Jazmin Bowers, 3rd place - Summer Foster
Congratulations to all our recognized awardees!
CONGRATULATIONS TO CYNTHIA VIELMAS!
Last month, we had only 2 employees complete the course of the month; Advancing Equity: Your Role in Community Engagement. Cynthia Vielmas, of the Ryan YMCA, was randomly selected as the winner of a $25 Gift Card. You can be the lucky winner in July by completing the course of the month, and sending a copy of your transcript to mpierce@ymcafw.org. (see page 2 for a link to the course of the month)
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 photos to mpierce@ymcafw.org.