Welcoming 2023 Together

A new year together will mean breaking ground on new priorities, building on what we learned and achieved last year, and renewing our commitment to advancing equity and justice for all. This year, we will expand our camp experiences and continue our journey to acquire land at Mineral Lake. We will center our communities furthest from opportunity through Whole Person Health, affordable, accessible early education, access to the great outdoors, membership, and so much more. Our plans for 2023 are anchored in our Vision 2025, fueled by our unwavering commitment to community caring for community. The best part is that we get to do it all together with amazing Y supporters like you.  

Membership 

• We look forward to welcoming even more families, corporate employees, and government workers as members of the YMCA, where everyone is welcomed, affirmed, and belongs. You’ll find programs and services for all family members to take care of their health and develop their full potential. Plus, new members can celebrate the New Year with a $0 JOIN fee until January 31. 

• The Y remains a gathering space that is always affordable for all and a place where you can volunteer and give back to community.  

Expanding Opportunity for Outdoor Education and Leadership 

• We are continuing our journey to establish our first new camp and outdoor environmental and education center in over 100 years.  

• We are expanding our footprint at Camp Orkila community in 2023. As we complete our purchase of the 24 acres of land adjacent to Camp Orkila, we will begin activating this property to serve more youth and families at this beloved camp. 

Bringing More Access to Affordable Early Education 

• Many childcare facilities closed during the pandemic and didn’t recover. We are continuing our efforts to bring more affordable and accessible childcare to families. In 2023, we will open a new Early Education Center in Redmond with others on the drawing board to begin development later in 2023.  

• In addition to our new early education site, as part of Vision 2025, we will be expanding our Kindergarten Readiness pilot program in South King County. The social-emotional learning made possible by early education prepares children to better manage emotions and motivation, make healthier choices, and positively engage with their kindergarten peers in a supportive and compassionate way. 

Centering Community in Equity & Justice 

• Volunteerism at the Y is driven by empowering communities to meet their needs through mutual and collective aid. Our Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service events this year will be an example of that community-driven volunteerism. 

• We will have new opportunities to stay engaged with our equity and justice learning and community conversations all year long.  

Whole Person Health for All 

• We will expand our community outreach, navigation support, and opportunities for in-person connection at our new Health Equity HUB at the Matt Griffin Y in SeaTac. Through staffing that is representative of the diverse population that our Health Equity and Whole Person Health team serves and translating resources into a wider range of languages, we continue to broaden our impact for those who need us most.  

Social Impact 

• We are continuing to grow transitional housing and wraparound services for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness through the services provided by our Y Social Impact Center. We are prioritizing community outreach and providing resources our young adults desperately need, like our violence prevention programs and resources, case management, and mental health support services. 

Our momentum continues to build in 2023, and our bold priorities inspire us to reach even higher in service to community. Thank you for starting this journey with us and continuing to walk alongside us all year long. We are proud to have you and your family as a part of Y Nation — we cannot deliver on these critical priorities without you.  

In community and gratitude, 

Loria Yeadon 

President & CEO