At the Y, we are proudly for all. We are committed to removing the barriers that limit our neighbors’ ability to thrive and to lead with equity and inclusion.
As an outcome of that commitment, the YMCA of Northern Colorado & Southern Wyoming has officially added inclusion as one of our core values — along with caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. We have also developed an Inclusion and Equity Statement:
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 has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. We stand against hate, racism and oppression in our communities and beyond, and we actively promote a culture free from bias and injustice.
We know these are simply words. As an organization that began in the Boulder community in 1864 , we are aware of how far the Y has come — but also the work that still needs to be done.
Y For All
“For all” is a simple but powerful phrase. Without it, the Y mission is incomplete.
We know that the key to effectively nurturing the potential of children, improving the nation’s well-being, and supporting our neighbors in need is a passionate, experienced and diverse array of staff, volunteers and members who value what everyone brings to the table.
We are passionate about our cause to strengthen communities and we know that our ability to achieve it begins with welcoming and partnering with people from all walks of life. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in partnerships with racial equity trainer Tami Farber and like-minded local organizations like Out Boulder County, Intercambio, and more.
Global Initiatives
The Y's global programs are on hold since the pandemic. In the years that proceeded COVID-19, the Y partnered with YMCA Peru in Lima as a part of our global outreach efforts. Each year, students in the Y’s Global Teen Leadership program visited YMCA Peru to do service learning projects, visit youth programs and learn about the culture of the country and its people. For our participants, the program opened their eyes to the world outside their comfort zones and connected them to the global impact of the YMCA.
Later in the summer, youth from YMCA Peru would visit the YMCA in Colorado, experiencing the culture and sharing their language and traditions with kids in our programs.
Our Y has also partnered with the Sioux YMCA in north central South Dakota. Groups of youth visited the Sioux YMCA for an experience that provided leadership development, unique programing opportunities and cultural immersion. The Sioux YMCA operates youth, recreational and camping programs across the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation — covering more than 5,000 square miles. The area has 13,000 residents with an unemployment rate of more than 90 percent.
Employer For Diversity
Forbes magazine has featured the YMCA as part of its inaugural America's Best Employers for Diversity list. The list rates the top 250 diverse employers across all American industries. The Y placed 15th overall and topped the list of community-based organizations.
“The Y is committed to becoming an even more diverse and inclusive organization at all levels to better reflect, engage and build bridges among all communities we serve,” said Lynda Gonzales-Chavez, senior vice president and chief diversity officer, YMCA of the USA.
Currently, YMCA throughout the country employ more than 250,000 people to serve its 22 million members through a network of 2,700 locations in 10,000 communities across the nation. The figure includes full-time, exempt staff, full-time non-exempt, part-time and seasonal staff.
“I grew up in the Y, not just professionally, so it’s hard to separate just the growth in my career. I attended our Y after school care and summer camps, played Y sports, and started as a volunteer coach when I was in high school – the Y has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. As my professional career has grown over the last 15 years, I have been very lucky to have supervisors and mentors who have accepted me, supported me, and challenged me to continue to grow and develop into the kind of leader I hope to be for our younger staff. I hope to inspire other queer staff to pursue a career in the Y and help to make the Y an organization that truly accepts, values them, and supports their professional development.”
—Eliza Bryant, Y staff