Chair's Letter

Summer is one of the busiest times for not only YMCAs, but also for Texas families. Whether it means summer camps, family pool days, or simply taking the time to enjoy the extra hours of daylight, the YMCA wants to serve as a resource for you. Drowning prevention and aquatics safety has and always will be a priority for the YMCA. As part of our commitment to drowning prevention, Texas YMCAs provide over 90,000 swim lessons and train nearly 2,000 lifeguards each year.  We constantly aim to improve by finding innovative program delivery methods and continually seek out collaborations with other organizations in order to expand access and increase the availability of resources. For our communities, that means mobile swim lessons at apartment complexes, workforce development by training high school students as lifeguards through school partnerships, and encouraging advocacy around water safety. Being safe in and around water is not a luxury, but a necessary survival skill.

Combatting child hunger is also important to the YMCA, especially during the summer. The Y is committed to ensuring youth receive the nutrition they need to be healthy, active and successful. Did you know that one in four Texas children does not know where his or her next meal is coming from? During the summer months, the need is often amplified. To tackle hunger, Texas YMCAs provide over 1 million meals and snacks each year and we’re already working to increase that number. Whether it means partnering with our local food banks to serve as a community meal site or sending home weekend food kits for families, we are unwavering in our pledge to strengthen families & communities.
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As you read through our newsletter, I hope you see the resiliency and strength Texans display on a daily basis. I feel honored to be able to witness stories just like those shared below each day as we work to deliver our cause and live out our mission of building healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.  
 
Sincerely,
Tony Shuman, Chair
Texas State Alliance of YMCAs

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