Forever in Service. For Equity and Justice.

Racial Equity

Systemic barriers that face communities of color must be demolished. From the inside out, we are shifting the way we work to ensure everything we do is anti-racist. From supporting our staff of color to ensuring our programs are designed with an anti-racist lens, we are creating a network of programs for equity and justice for all.  

We are providing learning initiatives, partnerships, and resources to infuse this commitment throughout our work as we address the systemic barriers that exist throughout the region, especially those concentrated in South King County. 

"We must hold ourselves accountable to be courageous enough to name the harm, create space for restoration, and transform our communities in ways that truly reflect what it means to go from being compliant to committed in this work."

~ Miller, Interim Program Executive, Equity & Justice (he/him, they/them, miller)

We’re building a community of learning around racial equity and what it really takes to become anti-racist in everything we do:

• In 2020, the Y reached 234,170 people of all backgrounds, abilities, and financial circumstances with equity and justice centered programming.
• In 2020, the Y engaged over 2,100 people in conversations and learning through the Unleashing Potential for All learning series.
• Y employees participate in anti-racist training and intentional dialog as part of our ongoing education and engagement series.

The commitment and investment by donors is needed to fully unleash these programs.

Health Equity  

Health equity is achieved when everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible, reaching their full health potential, and no one is disadvantaged because of race, gender, social status, or other circumstances. Health inequities are reflected in differences in length and quality of life, severity of disease, access to healthcare, and mortality rates.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities that were already experiencing health inequities in King County and throughout the country. Currently rates of COVID-19 infection and death are far higher in communities of color than any other group in King County.

“Sometimes those who need our programs the most are the ones least able to gain access. I’m glad the Y tries to remove as many of these barriers as possible so that anyone who wants to can participate to achieve his or her fitness goals.”

~ Terrin, Zumba Instructor, Coal Creek Family YMCA

Access to health services is a human right. We need your help to ensure health resources are available to all to disrupt these troubling trends.

• Life expectancy in King County varies by up to 18 years for different populations residing in different neighborhoods.
• Rates of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease among Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander populations are higher than the white population due to factors like lack of access to physical activity and preventative care.
• Access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and health promotion programs and resources is limited.

Everyone deserves access to quality care, support, and information needed to reach their full health potential. We are working to reduce health disparities and develop concrete plans for eliminating them through providing chronic disease prevention programs, support navigating clinical and community resources, and offering programs for youth to help them build a foundation for a healthy, active life. Watch our recent Mission Forum on Health Equity to learn more about these issues. Watch Video