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THE Y’S IMPACT IS DEEP & WIDE For decades the “Y” has served Montgomery well, and last year, it proved it could be flexible to address several important COVID-19 needs.
/ by MINNIE LAMBERTH
The YMCA of Greater Montgomery provides services like their Brown Bag Bus to address health disparities and food insecurities throughout the community. Images courtesy of YMCA of Greater Montgomery.
The YMCA of Greater Montgomery strengthens the foundations
without the programs and services we provide.” These include
of our community in a number of different ways, according to
pre-K programs, afterschool care and early learning programs.
Gary Cobbs, President and CEO. “The big part of our mission is, ‘we’re for all.’ Through the Y, we meet people where they
Gene Crane, Executive Vice President of River Bank and Trust
are no matter their background—rich or poor, black or white. It doesn’t matter. And we don’t turn anybody away due to their inability to pay,” Cobbs said. “We’re here to provide programming to build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.” With 15 locations around the area, members have a lot of options to tap into programs
and chairman of the Y’s Metro Board, said
We’re For All “We’re here to provide programming to build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”
designed for youth and adult sports, fitness,
- Gary Cobbs
summer camps, senior activities and much
that businesses support the Y for no shortage of reasons. Some grew up attending Y afterschool programs, playing in youth sports or being involved in Youth Legislature, for example. Over that time, Crane said, “They developed a passion and an appreciation for the what the Y does in the community and just stay engaged with it.” Others recognize the positive results for
more. The Y also provides services to address health disparities
youth and the workforce. “It strikes me that most anything good
and food insecurities. The community benefits as well from swim
going on in our community, our Y seems to have its hands
lessons and other related programs to combat drownings.
involved in some of that,” Crane said.
Childcare is among the wide variety of programs that support
Although the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact, the Y adjusted
families and children. “Childcare is workforce development, and
as needed and continued to serve. “We were not unlike any
it has a direct impact,” Cobbs said. “Many parents couldn’t work
organization or business in our community,” Cobbs said. “We lost
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