President's Message
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Dear Friends,
Although it may not feel like it outside, September is the beginning of fall. At the Tampa YMCA, this means the start of another busy season. Currently, we are in the middle of hosting Welcoming Week, celebrating the rich and diverse makeup of the ancestries throughout our great country. A national YMCA initiative, Welcoming Week gives our members an opportunity to acknowledge our roots, our heritage and our diverse backgrounds.
An array of international potlucks, beautiful national outfits, and a desire to learn more about one another marks Welcoming Week events across our centers. All of us come from somewhere and, if our country is to thrive, we all need to personally invest in the social fabric of our community. We know communities are stronger and more cohesive when people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to get to know each other and work in unison to advance the common good. Welcoming Week allows us to get to know one another and celebrate what unites us as individuals and as a community.
Keeping with the celebration theme - September is also Hispanic Heritage Month. Our city and the Tampa Y have a deep history with Hispanic roots going back to the 19th century and many of our staff and members are of Hispanic ancestry. Our Hispanic community has worked hard to contribute to the socio-economic prosperity of our region, and we are grateful to be able to share in their rich and beautiful culture.
Thank you to one and all for championing our rich diversity throughout Tampa. We are stronger when everyone feels welcomed and valued.
Next week is also Falls Prevention Week, which runs from September 23-27. The Y supports older adults with senior fitness programs where they can exercise and learn ways to improve and maintain an active lifestyle and prevent falls. Helping our seniors thrive is a continuous priority for the Tampa Y.
Another priority is service to our military. We are launching Operation Strong Families (OSF) soon, a 10-week targeted program designed for active duty and veteran families. Our goal is to make the Tampa YMCA a local destination where military families can grow in health, connectedness, and mental wellness. Principal OSF objectives also include helping to reduce stress, increasing knowledge about community resources as well as improving social supports.
The program will be offered at four Tampa YMCA Family Centers, including those near Hillsborough County Public School’s Purple Star Schools (South Tampa Family YMCA and Spurlino Family YMCA), and in northern and eastern Hillsborough County (Northwest Hillsborough Family YMCA and North Brandon Family YMCA). It further solidifies our strategic plan commitment to “meet every community and every individual where they are.”
Finally, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and now is a good time to remind all the women in our lives to get a mammogram. The American Cancer Society tells us one in three women get breast cancer. There will be “310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer” this year alone. Please take the time for this important test. Do not delay as early detection can save lives.
As always, thank you for all you do to contribute to the overall well-being of our YMCA and our Tampa Bay community.
With Appreciation,
Matt Mitchell
President & CEO
Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA