Third Thursday October 2024

Dear Community Leaders,

The COVID-19 pandemic was tough for a lot of nonprofits, but the Y was hit especially hard when we had to shut down our wellness centers. Honestly, without the strength of our endowment and a few incredibly timely donations, the Capital District Y might not have made it through. I’ll never forget the moment we received one particularly large donation—I actually got down on my knees and said THANK YOU. After being closed for months, we had to rebuild much of our staff, and our membership was initially only about a quarter of what it had been before the shutdown.

Thankfully, the Capital District YMCA has made a strong comeback, with many of our locations nearing their pre-pandemic membership numbers. Our community programs are also expanding to meet the changing needs of the region, and last year, we delivered $2 million in impact through scholarships and community services. Just as important, we again employ over 1,000 people across the Capital Region—the Y is their livelihood, too.

We couldn’t have bounced back without the generosity of the dedicated individuals who helped build our endowment. They truly understood the Y’s value to the community and wanted to make sure we’d still be here for years to come.  I’m sure they didn’t foresee a global pandemic, but I’m incredibly grateful because they’re the reason the CDYMCA is still here.

It’s not easy to think about, but eventually, we all reach the same destination - the end of the road. Over the past year, we’ve lost a few dear friends and long-time employees who left behind incredible legacies.

 

So, I ask: what will your legacy be?

Until next time,

Dave Brown, President and CEO, Capital District YMCA