15 Jul The YMCA of Greater Kansas City Receives a $125,000 Grant from the Hall Family Foundation

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City was recently awarded a $125,000 grant from the Hall Family Foundation to support general operations for the James B. Nutter Sr. Community Center/Linwood YMCA (Linwood Y).

Funding from the Hall Family Foundation will not only support programs, but also allow the Y resources to address the dynamic context of socio-economic, cultural, institutional, and policy levers that impact the ability to pursue well-being in this corridor of urban Kansas City. This will take time and adaptability by those doing the work and our philanthropic partners.

Every Y program and activity provides an opportunity for opening dialog and moving towards a shared understanding of community goals and priorities around health and well-being.  Linwood Y membership is more than access to amenities at one facility. All members become part of a support network made up of neighbors, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners and have regular opportunities to engage in the following programs:

Healthy Living: health coaching and personal training, health literacy and nutrition education, healthy lifestyle behavior change programming, weight management, chronic disease prevention, and management programs;

Youth Development: after-school enrichment programming, youth sports and interest clubs, swim lessons and drowning prevention, nutrition education, mentoring, post-secondary exploration and awareness;

Social Responsibility: year-round open meal program for all youth 0-18, community volunteer and service-learning opportunities for all ages, Linwood Community Days, Impact Days.

The Linwood Y is not bound by the walls of the facility. The “Y Without Walls” strategy includes taking the above-mentioned programs offsite to schools, churches, Head Start centers, and even the streets. The Linwood Y leverages its facility, influence, and program offerings to meet emerging needs of the community and offers residents multiple and diverse opportunities to become involved in addressing these needs. The Linwood Y hosts listening sessions, candidate forums, voter registration, election day events, parent-teacher meetings, public hearings about new development, and more.

Founded in 1860 as the seventh Y in North America, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City has over 158 years of experience in meeting the holistic needs of residents of all ages.  Since its inception, the Y has been more than simply a place to exercise. The Y empowers people of all ages to live healthier lives throughout their entire lifespan and does so in an environment that fosters social support.