MORE
THAN
A GYM
MEMBERSHIP
YMCA
keeps up
with the times,
kids’ needs
BY RICHARD ZOWIE
B E A CON W R I T E R
Since 1876, the year of America’s
centennial celebration, the Young
Men’s Christian Association has been
serving youth in San Antonio.
Today, the association is better
known as the YMCA, or, for short, “The
Y.” It serves men and women, boys and
girls in both San Antonio and Greater
San Antonio.
YMCA has four locations inside
Loop 410, four inside Loop 1604, and
three in Greater San Antonio. They
also have three early learning centers,
54 school-aged childcare sites, and one
program center for medical-based
wellness.
Besides the local locations, YMCA
also has a summer residence camp in
Hunt, near Kerrville.
Stephanie Chavira, Director of
Marketing and Communications, says
the YMCA takes a customized
approach. Each location in the Alamo
City is tailored to the individual
needs of its local customers and
neighborhoods, and the YMCAs in
San Antonio are different from the
ones not only in other states, but also
in other Texas cities.
Across the board, every YMCA has
the same mission – to put Christian
principles into practice through
programs building a healthy spirit,
mind and body.
The Y’s offer programs such as
adult fitness (personal training, Pilates,
yoga, races, water exercises, martial
arts and adult sports) and various
programs for children, including
swimming and athletics.
“The Y is adapted to the community
needs,” says Carrie Bair-Norwood,
Senior Vice President of Financial
Development. “We evolve as the
community evolves. We rebranded in
2011 into these three areas: Youth
Development, Social Responsibility,
and Healthy Living.”
More than just sports, Youth
Development programs are open for
everyone regardless of their economic
standing. One facet, Y Achievers,
provides speaking and learning events
as well as help with office attire and
budgets. Teaching kids about office
attire shows them how to dress for the
occasion: in mock trials in the Youth
and Government program, the kids
dress like lawyers in
court.
“Youth Government
The YMCA unites the
community through
Síclovía, which
serves 120,000
annually.
involves 40 kids who
are learning about the
justice system and
mock trials,” Stephanie
says. “Power Scholars
AcademyTM keeps kids safe during the
summer months and offers educational
help to keep them sharp until the next
school year.”
Stephanie says Youth Development
has the idea of helping kids to mature
and develop into responsible citizens.
“We have programming that’s very
well known to the community,” she
says. “These include swim lessons and
Youth learn cooking skills at Mays YMCA.
Bikers roll through the streets of San Antonio during Síclovía.
March / April 2019 www.saBeacon.com 11
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