13 Jun YMCA of Greater Kansas City Awarded $500,000 Grant from Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City was recently awarded a $500,000 grant from the Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation to support their capital campaign.

The funding from the Gary Dickinson Family Charitable Foundation will support the Development of the Downtown YMCA Kirk Family Community Center.

Now more than ever the YMCA can be a key strategy in meeting the needs of the community.  The Y is scaling programs in Kansas City and across the country to help prevent and manage chronic disease through healthy eating and active living; helping to prevent and close the achievement gap and build community engagement through volunteerism and advocacy. The Downtown YMCA Kirk Family Community Center will include:

• A state-of-the-art health and wellness center and indoor walking track. Programs that will use this space will include those focused on diabetes prevention, blood pressure management, physical activity, and well-being.
• A gymnasium to provide space for activities that promote healthy living, including adult and youth sports that promote teamwork, skill development and friendship, and community special events.
• A natatorium to provide opportunities for low-impact workouts, water therapy, lap swimming, recreation, swim lessons that teach life-saving swim skills and safety.
• A teaching kitchen to promote healthy lifestyles by providing a venue to teach individuals and families healthy eating and cooking skills.
• Lobby/community commons and inter-generational areas where people can gather for small and large meetings, throw a party, meet friends or take a quiet break.
• Additional features include an indoor play-yard and adventure center for young children, additional multi-purpose/community rooms, and studios for educational programs, social activities and special events.

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City, founded on Christian principles, is a charitable organization with an inclusive environment committed to enriching the quality of family, spiritual, social, mental and physical well-being.  With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City is committed to strengthening communities. The Y engages men, women and children-regardless of age, income or background-to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. With a history of serving the Kansas City area since 1860, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.