Dear Friends,

When dealing with life’s daily demands, families need a place to spend quality time together without having to invest lots of money or effort. The Tampa YMCA is expanding our focus on family-friendly programming to provide families across Hillsborough and East Pasco counties a place they can count on for support, all while improving their health and well-being, connecting with new friends and their local community. A membership at the Y provides families many opportunities to spend fun, quality time together, and engage in activities with other neighborhood families in safe, positive environments.

From movie nights, themed cookouts, and story time to pool relays, family fitness challenges and games around the pool, YMCA members have the opportunity to enjoy family time at the Y. Free family events/activities are included in a YMCA membership and are offered on select weeknights, Friday evenings and weekend afternoons at all 13 of our family branches.

Families are central to the communities we serve. They look to the Y to be that parenting partner for afterschool care in a safe environment, youth sports that keep their kids active, or swim lessons that teach their kids a lifelong skill. We recognize our role in supporting families and are re-committing to them with quality, fun programming, which helps us strengthen families and our local Y communities even more.

In its 125-year history, the Tampa Y has always supported local families, serving all ages, and infusing its core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring at all operational levels. The Y is a place where parents and caregivers can find life balance; children can reach their full potential; seniors can be active and find camaraderie; and families can connect and strengthen relationships. At the Y, kids have a safe, fun place to learn, play and stay healthy, surrounded by caring adults focused on reaching healthy living goals, making new friends and connecting with the community.

As part of our revitalized focus on family programming, the Tampa Y is offering a double bonus to new members, which include zero enrollment fees and a $25 program discount to those who join between now and May 30th. The $25 discount is valid until September 2015 and can be used with any YMCA program, including, but not limited to: summer camp, personal training, youth sports, and swim lessons, among others. I invite you to help spread the word among family and friends who aren’t a part of the Y cause. Help us get more families involved!

To learn more about the Tampa YMCA’s fun-filled activities families can enjoy together visit tampaymca.org or stop by a local branch.

See you at the Y,

Tom Looby
CEO & President
813.224.9622

Happiness through Service

During a recent service project, Y Teen Achievers from Sligh Middle School spent their Saturday helping to restore an inner-city church.

This week is National Volunteer Week and the perfect opportunity to put volunteerism on a platform. Not only does the Tampa YMCA depend on volunteers to fulfill its cause-driven mission, but the Y also connects people to the community thorough service projects that inspire giving back. One of the ways we do this is through our teen programs.

Final Four a Source of Inspiration

Courtesy: Tampa Bay Sports Commission

The NCAA Women's Final Four may have wrapped up in Tampa, but its lasting impression on youth remains. YMCA kids and families had several chances to be a part of the community awareness campaign leading up to the NCAA Women’s Final Four.

One of the opportunities included a trophy tour stop at the South Tampa Family YMCA. The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association hosted a small presentation during a South Tampa Y basketball clinic. Afterward, young Y players got to take pictures with the replica trophy.

A Hero to Struggling Youth

Click on the video to see how the Tampa Bay Lightning honored YMCA Senior Program Director Wayne Johnson as its Lightning Community Hero.

During a recent home game, the Tampa Bay Lightning honored Wayne Johnson as the 36th Lightning Community Hero of the season. Wayne received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program. He generously donated the dollars to both the Tampa YMCA and New Life Tabernacle.