Ann Arbor YMCA

📣REMINDER📣
All Ann Arbor YMCA sites, including Child Development Centers, will be closed tomorrow in observance of the holiday.
We look forward to seeing you in our facility during our regular operating hours on the 5th.

Safety Around Water Week One: Complete! ✅🏊

We shared essential water safety knowledge and skills with over 200 young swimmers this week! If you missed it, don't worry – more opportunities are coming in July and August at our offsite locations.

Have a great and safe start to your July! 🎆

Happy International LGBTQ+ Pride Day! 🌈

Every day we are proud of the wonderful individuals of all genders, identities, and sexualities that make up our YMCA community. You are always welcome, and you will always belong here. ❤️

Our in-building Safety Around Water program kicks off TOMORROW! 🏊🛟

Teaching children how to be safe around water is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Our free annual water safety program helps ensure children learn essential water safety skills, opening up a world of possibilities for them to safely satisfy their curiosity.

As our full natatorium will be in use for this program, we encourage swimmers to check our Aquatics Center Schedule before planning their visits to the Y.
🔗https://www.annarborymca.org/schedules/

📣REMINDER📣

All Ann Arbor YMCA sites, including Child Development Centers, will be closed tomorrow in observance of Juneteenth.

We look forward to seeing you in our facility during our regular operating hours the 20th.

Need an evening off? Kids' Night Out is happening THIS FRIDAY!

Kids will enjoy a variety of fun summer-themed activities and crafts, supervised by our very own YMCA staff. Dinner and healthy snacks will be served!

Spots are available - register to save yours now!

🔗https://tinyurl.com/862pkbjt

Ann Arbor YMCA | For a Better Us™ Safety Around WaterSafety Around WaterDive into summer with confidenceChildcare Enrolling - All Locations!Childcare Now Enrolling - All locations!find your centerAbout UsStrengtheningthe foundationsof our communityAbout Us CLASSES & PROGRAMS Camps & Child Care HEALTH MANAGEMENT What’s Happeningat ...

⚠️ PARKING NOTICE ⚠️

Due to an overwhelming response to our Block Party, we are moving the closure of the Y lot to ensure we have ample space for our vendors and booths.

Parking at the Ann Arbor YMCA, for both the covered and uncovered lot, will be unavailable from 5:30AM-5:00PM on Saturday, June 15th.

We encourage our event attendees to plan ahead and research city parking or transit options prior to the event.

We cannot wait to kick off summer with you!☀️😄

We cannot wait to kick off summer with everyone! ☀️

📣REMINDER📣

Our Family Pool will be CLOSED Monday, June 10th through Friday, June 14th for annual maintenance. This closure will not affect our lap pool or natatorium hours.

We appreciate your patience as we work to keep our facility clean and safe for our members!

🌎WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY🌎

Our preschool class took a hands-on approach to learning about the environment in our Downtown Learning Garden. With the help of local master gardeners, our students and parents cleared and filled the garden beds with edible plants and flowers to attract pollinators.

Over the summer, students will learn about plant growth stages and help harvest the fruits and vegetables they have grown. 🍓🥕🥬

You belong here ❤️🧡💛💙💚🩵💜

Happy Pride from the Ann Arbor Y!

Come see us at Ypsi Pride this Friday from 5-10PM in the Purple Section on East Cross Street in Depot Town! 🏳️‍🌈

NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVOR’S DAY 💛💪🏼

On Thursday, our class of 12 wonderful, resilient individuals celebrated their graduation from the Ann Arbor YMCA Spring LIVESTRONG program. Over the last twelve weeks, we have shared laughter, tears, created memories and built a community with our participants and instructors. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in your story and journey 💛

Through the LIVESTRONG program, we aim to improve the overall quality of life and decrease cancer-related fatigue for those living with, through or beyond cancer. The next session of LIVESTRONG will begin in October. journey 💛

AAPI Heritage Month has been absolutely fantastic!

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our events! Special thanks to our amazing event partners for generously sharing their time and talents with us, and for helping us celebrate the cultural contributions and rich history of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. ❤️

Baked Berry Cobbler 🫐

Did you know that May is also Arthritis Awareness Month?

Food can affect the levels of inflammation in the body and can contribute to or help prevent flare-ups and pain.

Enjoy this delicious, easy-to-make recipe created by our in-house Registered Dietitian, Kathryn, for Arthritis Awareness Month. This treat is filled with ingredients that can help reduce arthritis pain!

📣REMINDER📣

All Ann Arbor YMCA locations are closed for Memorial Day on Monday, 5/23. We look forward to seeing you again during our regular operating hours on Tuesday, May 24th.

⚪⚫LEARN TO PLAY GO WORKSHOP⚫⚪

is underway!

Our workshops are filling up, but there are still a few spots left in our FREE Go Workshop this Saturday! Learn to play one of the oldest two-player strategy board games in the world with Co-Founder and Organizing Director of the American Collegiate Go Association, Jamie Tang!

This workshop is open to Go players of all skill levels ages 12+
🔗https://tinyurl.com/y8kbnv36

🌟NEW PROGRAM 🌟

Silver Strength Bootcamp is a fitness program designed for seniors who want to improve their health, flexibility, and strength.

Engaging workouts led by certified personal trainers, focusing on functional exercises that enhance mobility, balance, and endurance. Silver Strength Bootcamp is a fun and supportive community that welcomes both beginners and experienced fitness enthusiasts.

🔗https://tinyurl.com/mvjjrn43

🎇✨YMCA SPRING DANCE RECITAL✨🎇

After seven weeks of hard work, our dancers had the chance to display their talents in our first-ever spring recital!

The amazing performances from soloists, and adult and youth classes graced the stage and displayed the incredible results of their efforts! We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for their participation and dedication. We can't wait to see you all again next year!

There is still time to join us for the Spring 2 Dance Session: https://tinyurl.com/5n74fdjm

It's 🍎

We are so grateful for all of our Early Childhood Education Teachers and staff 🫶 Thank you for all the incredible work you do in caring for and preparing our students for kindergarten and beyond!

📢 STAIRWAY CLOSURE NOTICE 📢

We are working to improve our facility!

The stairway from the front doors to the Membership Lobby will be temporarily closed for retreading from tomorrow until Friday from 7AM-3PM. This project will not affect the other stairways in the facility. We ask our members to use the elevators during this closure, and please plan your visits to the facility accordingly.

We appreciate your patience while we work to make your Y the best it can be!

AAPI Heritage Month is almost here!

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. During this month we recognize the contribution and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

The Ann Arbor YMCA is excited to host a series of workshops to educate on and celebrate these contributions, all open to members and the community! The schedule and descriptions for these workshops can be found below.

Find more information on these workshops and the links to register here: https://tinyurl.com/495bs56p

🎉ANNOUNCEMENT🎉

The Ann Arbor YMCA Board of Directors is excited to announce the promotion of James Highsmith to President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1. With a proven track record of cause-driven leadership, James is committed to bringing dynamic, collaborative, and visionary leadership to our Y and the communities it serves.

Highsmith brings over 13 years of YMCA experience to his new role, having most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Ann Arbor YMCA. In this role, he oversaw the operations of the $9.8M association. During his tenure at the Y, James has played a key role in strategic initiatives, including capital planning, program mergers and expansion, changes to operating structures, and revenue diversification. James is also highly regarded by the YMCA staff and community members for his leadership style and his contribution to an open, welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

“We are truly delighted to see James step into this role. His collaborative leadership style, depth of knowledge of the community, and his passion and dedication to the Y and its mission are second to none. We are confident that our Y, and our community, will continue to flourish and thrive under his leadership,” said Muffy MacKenzie, Board Member and Chair of the Search Committee.

As President and CEO, Highsmith will now take responsibility for the 166-year legacy of the Ann Arbor Y, including three childcare centers; Y on the fly programs in schools, apartment complexes, churches, community centers, and libraries across Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Manchester, Pinckney, Chelsea, and Superior Township; Day Camp offerings in East Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti; and Camp Birkett on Silver Lake in Dexter; as well as our overnight Camp Al-Gon-Quian on the shores of Burt Lake in Northern Michigan.

“The Ann Arbor Y has been a formative part of my journey, and it’s a privilege to serve as CEO for an organization that means so much to me personally and professionally,” Highsmith said. “This is an exciting time to lead our Y as we expand our reach within the community.”

In addition to his work at the Y, James has been an active Ultimate Frisbee coach for youth, teens, young adults and adults since 2017. In 2023 James was named the National Coach of the Year in the sport for his work in the adult men’s club division. In his spare time, James enjoys spending time with his fiancée, Kelsy, and their long-haired, hypoallergenic cat, Loki.

The Y anticipates a series of community events across our service area this spring and early summer where community members can get to know James if they have not yet met him at the Y. Details regarding these events will be posted on the Ann Arbor YMCA website soon. www.annarborymca.org

EXCITING NEWS! 🎉🥳

We’re featured in Target Circle™, place a vote for us in the Target app!
Here’s how:
Step 1: Choose “My Target” in the Targetapp
Step 2: Tap on “Target Circle™”
Step 3: Select “Vote for nonprofits”
Step 4: Find us & vote!

Cast your vote for the Ann Arbor YMCA by June 30th!

Take a stab at fencing this spring! 🤺

Our instructors have over 60 years of combined experience in the sport and are ready to help you sharpen your skills. From beginners to advanced, the Y offers lessons at all levels. Get started today!

🔗https://tinyurl.com/mvkjj8df

Not your average MOON-day activities ☀️🌑 Thanks to all those who paused their workout to enjoy the solar eclipse views with us

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK 📖

We love our local libraries and reading! We shared our love of reading with our preschool students during National Reading Month in March by hosting a series of "mystery readers" for story time at our Ypsilanti, Glacier Hills, and Downtown childcare centers. Altogether, we had 14 readers, including staff volunteers and specially requested staff members!

Our Staff's Top Book Picks:
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Grumpy Monkey
The Duckling Gets A Cookie
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

What was your favorite book growing up?