Community leaders and donors, along with the YMCA of Central Texas have made significant progress in fundraising, bringing a new Brazos Valley YMCA closer to a reality. A group of 11 Bryan-College Station area leaders, called the Founders, organized to raise funds for the new YMCA facility. The Brazos Valley Founders Committee has secured half of a $300,000 goal for donations. The YMCA of Central Texas, the governing association, has committed to match funds up to $300,000, to reach the $600,000 total needed. These donations will secure a storefront location in Brazos Valley, start YMCA programming, plus hire staff and administrative support.
“We’re so pleased to have powerful support from major industries and business owners, like the Home Builders Association, University Title and Southlake Title and John and Robyn Gillespie,” said Dr. Karl Mooney, the Chairman of the Founders and the Director of Academic Advising at Texas A&M University. “So many respected members of our community see the need for a YMCA in Brazos Valley, to strengthen our community by empowering young people and improve the health and well-being of people of all ages.”
A shortage of after school childcare is one major need a new Brazos Valley YMCA could address. Childcare tops the list of service gaps identified over the last 18 months as the YMCA of Central Texas collaborated with local volunteers, heard community discussions and consulted third-party market research. As of now, at least 400 children are on the Brazos Valley Community waitlist for child care. Other concerns identified to be addressed include youth sports programming, active older adult programming, and a newly renovated exercise and community facility for the Brazos Valley.
“Making it halfway to our fundraising goal shows us the support we need for this project is increasing,” said Brazos County Commissioner Nancy Berry, who’s also serving as one of the Founders of a future Brazos Valley YMCA. “Thanks to a pipeline of individual supporters, businesses, and municipal leadership, we are in the homestretch to bring much needed YMCA services to deserving Brazos Valley families and children.”
The YMCA of Central Texas, the governing association of the YMCA of the Brazos Valley, has a long history of being the premier nonprofit for childcare, youth activities, and wellness for the spirit, mind, and body for people of all ages. In fact, YMCA history in the Brazos Valley dates back to 1914 when it served the College Station area for 36 years until 1950. The original YMCA building still stands today on the Texas A&M University campus and has been renovated to be used for classrooms and offices. The location of a new Brazos Valley YMCA has yet to be determined. Fundraising also continues to support the Annual Campaign which provides scholarships allowing opportunities for all to participate in Y programming regardless of their inability to pay.
For more information or to make a donation https://ymcactx.org/donate/
About YMCA of Central Texas
The YMCA of Central Texas is for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With locations in Burnet, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Hutto, Round Rock and Waco, the YMCA of Central Texas focuses on sharing our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith. The mission of the YMCA is based on Christian principles shared by all faiths and practiced each day in Y's across the United States of America and 130 countries around the world.
Courtesy of YMCA of Central Texas
