Celebrating a Remarkable 2022
The Y is on a new journey and we had a most remarkable 2022. So, what does remarkable look like? It looks like: a banner year for strategic and community partnerships, outsized impact on the communities we serve, evolving to become a 21st-century social enterprise for the region through our connections across communities.
Unveiling the HER Court and Celebrating Women in Sports, Music, and More
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is committed to supporting and celebrating women and girls in our communities. That’s why we partnered with Nike in 2022 to refurbish the South Side YMCA’s outdoor basketball court — now named “HER Court” — and hosted a community event and ribbon cutting.
Bridging the Digital Literacy Divide
Digital literacy has never been more important to performing everyday functions from paying bills to applying for jobs to learning about the world around us. The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago recognizes that closing the digital divide is a necessary endeavor as we work to strengthen our community and connect people to the resources necessary for social and economic mobility.
Providing Plant-based Meal Kits to Local Families
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s commitment to strengthening our communities extends to all aspects of life, including the food we eat!
Celebrating a Night of Possibilities
Each autumn, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago brings together our friends and supporters to celebrate the individuals and organizations who work diligently to advance the Y’s mission of connecting all people to their purpose, potential, and each other. This annual event generates significant philanthropic resources to support the highest priorities of our Association.
Making Memories After a Two-year Hiatus
Just an hour north of Chicago in Ingleside, Illinois, YMCA Camp Independence serves as a home-away-from-home for youth and adults living with spina bifida. It’s a place where campers with diverse abilities can challenge themselves, enjoy outdoor activities of all sorts, and make lifelong friendships in an inclusive, empowering environment.
Committing to Health and Fitness: “We’ll Have Each Other to Lean On”
Tackling a marathon is more than just running. It’s a show of perseverance, community, generosity, and so much more — everything that the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago stands for.
Partnering with a Local Family Foundation to Serve Our Communities
Established in 1996, the Foglia Family Foundation is a private Chicago-area foundation that supports local nonprofit organizations across the areas of education, support for those less fortunate, mental health care, and more.
Activating to Welcome New Arrivals to Our Community
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago always strives to meet the needs of our communities, especially as it continues to grow.
Focusing on the Power of Education and Empowerment
As the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is honored to have been part of the 93rd Annual Bud Billiken Parade in August, an annual Chicago tradition that celebrates Black joy and kicks off the back-to-school season.
Creating a Space for Youth and Veterans to Find Their Purpose, Potential, and Each Other
Thousands of young people in Chicago are growing up in communities impacted by gun violence, domestic violence, poverty, bullying, abuse, and loss. To address these critical issues, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago takes a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach to violence prevention, specifically in neighborhoods in Chicago that have been the most impacted by violence.
Giving Families Peace of Mind Through Reliable, High-Quality Child Care
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s mission to strengthen community by connecting all people to their purpose, potential, and each other — including our youngest community members — calls upon us to show up for local youth in every way we can.
Bringing Delicious, Nutritious, Culturally Relevant Meals to Youth in Our Communities
Between rising food costs, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lack of access to fresh food, putting healthy meals on the table can be challenging for families in the communities we serve.
Learning from a STEAM Star
Not many young people can say they’ve had lunch with an astronaut. But, as part of a Million Girls Moonshot program, some local youth can now make that claim!