The Gateway Region YMCA creates opportunity for persons of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to achieve their potential. We aspire to be the center of collaboration within our communities by inspiring and promoting diversity, inclusion and global efforts for all.
The Gateway Region YMCA was a Nonprofit Winner of the St. Louis Business Journal's 2022 Class of Champions for Diversity & Inclusion Awards!
Our diversity and inclusion efforts continue to be a priority in the workplace and in the communities we serve.
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WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe the Y must continue to lead the way to a brighter future by following our belief that we are stronger when our doors are open to all.
Our Commitment
Our policies, practices, and programs must advance our organizational commitment to diversity and inclusion. We must sustain our support for newcomers and immigrants.
Open For All
We must ensure all people - across all dimensions of diversity - feel welcome and valued as part of the Y family.
Changing Communities
As neighborhoods become more diverse, it is important that we, with great intentionality, understand who is in our communities and how best to serve their interests and needs.
Strengthen Community
It's critical to both our mission and our business that Ys develop and integrate strategies to effectively engage, advocate for and serve all.
Our Employee Resource Groups
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are groups of employees that form with a common bond, a shared characteristic or life experience. They provide support, help with career or personal development, and work to address issues inside and outside of the workplace. ERG’s are open to all active staff of the Gateway Region YMCA - whether they are a learner, supporter, or an ally. The Gateway Region YMCA currently has 4 ERGs.
Multicultural ERG
The Multicultural Resource Group is a network of YMCA staff committed to providing leadership development of African Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics/Latinos in the YMCA movement and, more specifically, for career and personal development, networking, training, and mentoring.
Women's ERG
The Women's Resource Group aims to create a network of female-identified Y professionals to provide networking opportunities; provide professional development experiences for YMCA staff from experts within our organization and from the local community; and encourage space for employees to share knowledge and experience, and encourage personal growth.
LGBTQ+ ERG
The LGBTQ+ Resource Group is comprised of LGBTQ+ YMCA professionals who aim to increase awareness about issues concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, and intersex staff and volunteer leaders in the YMCA, educate the Movement about inclusion by moving beyond tolerance and acceptance to celebration of the LGBTQ+ communities in the YMCA, and to provide a safe and discreet forum and network for YMCA LGBTQ+ staff and volunteers.
Inclusive Abilities ERG
The Inclusive Abilities ERG is a network of YMCA staff and volunteers committed to creating awareness, and focusing on the impact of diverse abilities on Y employees, their families, caregivers, and maturing adults with age-related disabilities in the community and in the workplace.
YMCA World Service
The Gateway Region YMCA is part of the International YMCA Network - a powerful alliance dedicated to strengthening our global communities. Because of this global reach, we are able to respond to trends in migration, health, economic livelihood and education that are reshaping our communities.
International partnerships are developed based on the mutual interests of both local and international Ys. The Gateway Region YMCA currently partners with:
- Belize
- Chile
- Colombia
- South Africa
- Ukraine
A Message from President and CEO Tim Helm
Today’s verdict regarding the death of George Floyd is not an end, but simply the next step in the ongoing dialogue that our community and nation must have to address systemic racism. We hope for a peaceful response to this verdict and pray that this outcome moves us closer to a dialogue around healing.
37th Annual MLK Celebration
On this day, we honor and celebrate the life, teachings, and legacy of Dr. King. This holiday is a great reminder of how Dr. King’s life’s work is part of our mission every day; to bring people in the community together, to nurture individual potential – especially of youth, and to welcome ALL people. Although gone for more than 50 years, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lives in our hearts, with his words and actions continuing to be an inspiration to us all every day.
Our Family is a Y Family!
Our son Drew was born with Down syndrome. As kids often do, Drew has taught us many lessons over the years about patience, love, and working hard to overcome obstacles. We sometimes say Drew is the best of us with his easy-going care and contagious charm, but we have had our trying times. During so many of those times, we have found support at the Y.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The Gateway Region YMCA is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in every community we serve. As with everything we do, we are guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. These values compel us to recognize and celebrate the uniqueness of each individual person, and to be an anti-racist, multicultural, and inclusive organization. We understand that many factors make up and influence a person’s individuality. It’s our responsibility to listen, learn and act to dismantle racism and advance equity at the individual, organizational, and societal level. We will hold ourselves accountable in working towards a time when everyone in our community has equitable access to opportunities to thrive.