Greater Austin YMCA

We are so excited to announce an open house for our first YMCA® Tomorrow Academy™, located in Northwest Austin (Four Points). This location will open in March 2025. Join us this Friday to meet our caring staff, tour our classrooms and learn about our curriculum. Event Details: 📍  YMCA® Tomorrow Academy™, 8300 N FM 620, Austin, TX 78726 📆 Friday, January 24, 2025 ⏰ Join us anytime between 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. 🏳️ Follow the blue & green flags in Trails at 620 See you there!   RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/gxBvevRV #austintx #austintexas #austin #earlylearning

No matter your profession, your skills can inspire the next generation of leaders. Volunteer for Texas Youth and Government's 2025 State Conferences in Austin at the Texas State Capitol!   Join us to help middle and high school students statewide gain hands-on experience in government and leadership.   Volunteer Needs 🌟 Volunteer Site Leaders: Assist with operations & volunteer questions 🌟 Debate Evaluator: Provide feedback and support during debate sessions 🌟 Judicial Evaluator: Help guide and evaluate students through mock trials 🌟 Event Shift Volunteer: Assist with check-in, set-up and preparation   Key Dates 📣 2025 Junior State Conference: Jan. 31 – Feb. 3, 2025 📣 2025 High School State Conference: Feb. 27 – March 2, 2025   Whether you have a few hours or a full day, your time and support can have a lasting impact on students. Sign up today! #austintx #austintexas #volunteer https://lnkd.in/g8XHJVV7

We are pleased to announce that Austin Hinkle, Youth and Family Program Director at YMCA Camp Moody, was presented the 2024 Bakari Henderson Emerging Leader Award at our Greater Austin Y Purpose Summit. This annual award recognizes an outstanding young leader within the Greater Austin YMCA. Created in memory of Bakari Henderson, a beloved Y staff member, and son of Jill and Phil Henderson, a dedicated North Austin Y board member, this award honors Bakari’s legacy of commitment, courage, and passion for the YMCA. Bakari’s tragic passing in Greece in 2017 left a profound impact, inspiring us to acknowledge and celebrate those who embody the same strength of character and dedication. Austin inspires others by creating memorable family experiences and his character and dedication shines with his “signature greeting” to each camper to ensure everyone feels welcomed and starts their day with a big smile on their face. Congratulations Austin! 🙌 Pictured: Phil Henderson, Jill Henderson, Austin Hinkle, Kathy Kuras, Dione Booker The Bakari Foundation

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with the San Antonio Spurs 🏀 for our youth basketball league! Basketball was invented at the Y and we are honored to welcome the Spurs family to help us elevate our league for Greater Austin hoopsters!   Whether your child is new to basketball or already a star player, they’ll have a blast while building skills, making friends, and learning the value of teamwork! Plus a cool Spurs jersey like the pros! Spurs Sports & Entertainment #austintx #austintexas #spurs #youthbasketball #keepingkidsactive

This #GivingTuesday, your generosity can transform lives across Greater Austin. At the Y, we do more than provide programs—we respond to critical needs in our community. A gift today can help parents access affordable childcare, ensure kids stay safe around water, provide teens with opportunities to grow and build skills, and create pathways for everyone to access mental health care. Every gift matters. Today, thanks to a generous $10,000 match, your impact doubles. Together, we can build a healthier, stronger Austin for all. Donate today and spark positive change: https://lnkd.in/emsUaMMu. ✨ #YMCA #GreaterAustinYMCA #GivingBack #GivingTuesday

Even a joyous holiday season can cause stress. 90% of US adults have increased stress levels around the holidays, interfering with their ability to enjoy them. Greater Austin YMCA Counseling provides quality, affordable support that's close to home. Counseling is available FOR ALL in our community. 🌟 Appointments in 5 days 🌟 Weekdays & weekends 🌟 Virtual & in-person 🌟 English or Spanish Learn more about our counseling specialties and share with your network. We are here to help! https://lnkd.in/gtDtNzwT #austin #austintx #mentalhealthmatters #nonprofitleadership

This past Saturday, the YMCA Youth and Government District Conference brought together nearly 500 students, 30 advisors, and 100 volunteers from Districts 2 and 7 at Akins High School. Teens presented legislative bills, state affairs proposals, and court cases—showcasing months of preparation and their passion for civic engagement and leadership.   A heartfelt thank-you to The Sumners Foundation, for supporting this impactful program and helping us shape the next generation of leaders.   As we look ahead to the State Conference, there will be exciting opportunities for business partners and community members to get involved. Stay tuned for more details on how you can support these incredible young changemakers!

More than 200 Y volunteers, donors, community partners and staff gathered at the Austin Central Public Library last week for our 20th Thanksgiving gratitude event. U.S. Rep Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Austin District 2 Council Member Vanessa Fuentes and Austin ISD Board President Arati Singh headlined our list of esteemed guests. Austin FC Vice President of Community Impact Trennis Jones delivered an inspiring remarks, drawing from his experience as a kid at the TownLake Y. Awardees announced at the event included:  Will W. Miller Volunteer Leadership Award: Bart Gunkel, Metro Board Member At Large Gerald T. Olson Distinguished Service Award: Brian Carpenter, Springs Family Y Community Advancement Board Chair and Sam Gervase, East Communities Y Community Advancement Board member Community Partner of the Year: Best Buy Foundation Legacy Partner of the Year: JE Dunn Construction And a special presentation to the Northwest Y Fireflies!

We joined Roy Spence, founder of the Make It Movement and GSD&M, at the Extend-A-Care YMCA’s Becker Elementary afterschool childcare program to celebrate the completion of “Make It Month.” Nearly 3,000 Y afterschool students completed the Make It Movement’s online career exploration game to ensure we’re developing the skilled workforce to continue powering our economy. Through partners like the Make It Movement and Austin Community College’s Make It Center, along with our own Best Buy Teen Tech Center at the North Austin Y, we’re empowering young people to dream big and plot a course toward achieving their goals. #austintx #austin #nonprofitorganization

Today we celebrate the kick off to our inaugural youth sports flag football season 🏈! Nearly 200 boys and girls (6 to 9 years old) from the Greater Austin area are learning fundamentals, teamwork and names of new friends on day one. 🙌 Flag football is one of the fastest growing youth sports in the US. It’s a safer alternative that gets kids moving, running, and enjoying the physicality of football without the risks associated with full-contact version. #austintx #monprofitorganization #flagfootball #youthsports #activekids