Congratulations to the YMCA of Greater Seattle/Auburn Social Impact Center, one of our 2020 Auburn Area CONNECT Nonprofit of the Year SPOTLIGHT Award winners.
The Nonprofit of the Year SPOTLIGHT Award recognizes the success of a nonprofit organization in the Auburn Area.
The CONNECT 2020 Nonprofit of the Year SPOTLIGHT Award was sponsored by the Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound.
The SPOTLIGHT Awards Program is an annual initiative of the Auburn Area CONNECT Chamber of Commerce that recognizes businesses, nonprofits and community leaders in the Auburn Area, who serve the community and, through their business products/services, employee programs, volunteerism and/or mission statement, benefit and improve the Auburn Area and help our region thrive as a center of economic activity and social leadership in the South Puget Sound. Members of the community are invited each year to nominate a deserving business, nonprofit or individual leader for our SPOTLIGHT recognition. Following the nomination period, Auburn Area CONNECT board members and members of the business community vote on the nomination they believe best represents the spirit of each award.
The Auburn Area CONNECT Chamber of Commerce is happy to recognize the YMCA of Greater Seattle / Auburn Social Impact Center as one of our 2020 Auburn Area CONNECT "Nonprofit of the Year" SPOTLIGHT Award winners.
The YMCA of Greater Seattle has been part of the Auburn Area community for more than six decades. The organization is a leader in the Northwest working to strengthen communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1876, the Y reaches more than 265,000 people annually, through 14 branches, two overnight camps and more than 200 program sites throughout King and south Snohomish counties. (CLICK HERE to learn more about the YMCA of Greater Seattle.)
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit our communities, the Auburn Valley YMCA stepped up to provide free, full-day childcare for first responders, healthcare providers and other essential workers. Between March and June, the YMCA served 20 to 30 families each day, free of charge, and 30 to 40 children each week during the summer months. The Y also provided before- and after-school care at two "Y LEAP Academy" sites for Auburn School District students. These two sites -- at Lakeland Hills and Lea Hill Elementary Schools -- are the only school-located programs being offered this fall in partnership with the Auburn School District. The sites serve approximately 40 kids per week.
In addition, the organization operated a meal pickup site for young people and set up a system to make wellbeing outreach calls to seniors and other vulnerable community members. Since March, the YMCA of Greater Seattle has served over 90,000 meals in the South Puget Sound region, providing a much-needed source of access to fresh, healthy foods. (Read more about the Y's efforts to address hunger in our community.) Simply amazing!
Earlier this year, the YMCA of Greater Seattle further strengthened its ties to the Auburn Area by acquiring Nexus Youth and Families. The integration of this organization into the Y ensured that youth and their families in South King County continued to receive high-quality, support services.
The newly re-branded "Y Social Impact Center" was established to serve our communities' youth, young adults and their families. It's program is committed to removing institutional and systemic barriers that cause oppression and perpetuate racism. In addition, the Y Social Impact Center services are focused on those experiencing, at-risk for, and/or transitioning from homelessness, mental and/or behavioral health issues, violence and discrimination, juvenile justice systems, and gaps in educational, employment and leadership opportunities.
As part of the Y Social Impact Center, the new ARCADIA facility, which opened in May 2020 and is located at 932 Auburn Way S., in Auburn, offers drop-in facilities and longer-term housing for 15 young adults, as well as emergency shelter and services for up to 12 additional individuals each night (READ MORE). As an example of the type of community support and partnerships strengthened through the development of this facility, the YMCA was awarded a $1 million grant from the state to fund a further renovation of the site's administrative and clinical offices, to include a new conference space and medical rooms.
Kacie Bray, Auburn Area CONNECT CEO, presented the 2020 Nonprofit of the Year SPOTLIGHT Award to Jason Berry, Executive Director of the Auburn Valley YMCA, and Mark Putman, Executive Director of the Y Social Impact Center, on Tuesday, October 27th, 2020.
Watch the award presentation video below:
Thank you to the Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound for sponsoring the 2020 CONNECT Nonprofit of the Year SPOTLIGHT Award.
*****
For more information about the Auburn Valley YMCA: tinyurl.com/yyvqzc7p.
For more information about the Y Social Impact Center in Auburn: tinyurl.com/y59a7zjk.
