Monthly Archives: March 2021

(March 1, 2021 10:21 AM) It began in the First Congressional Church downtown on March 4, 1896. William McKinley was elected President that year, and most Americans still lit their homes with gas light and candles. Thousands of members later, the Jackson YMCA is celebrating 125 years of service to the Jackson community. To mark the milestone, the Y is offering a week of specials, selling commemorative shirts and providing free facility tours. “We are thankful for the support and care from our members, volunteers, donors, staff and community partners who have sustained the YMCA from our earliest days,” said Jackson YMCA CEO Shawna Tello. “We are honored to serve the community and play an integral role in the lives of so many. We treasure the opportunity to be a part of so many more Y stories in the decades to come.” The Jackson YMCA is a nonprofit, charitable organization with close to 6,000 members. Throughout the years the Y has stayed true to its purpose of strengthening the foundations of community by offering a wide range of programs for all ages that focus on Healthy Living, Youth Development and Social Responsibility. The Y has been at its current location…

(March 1, 2021 10:15 AM) The Jackson YMCA announced that local nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) will relocate to the Y’s planned new downtown facility. The YMCA has close to $22 million raised in pledges and contributions towards the construction of a downtown healthy living campus. YMCA leaders anticipate breaking ground in the summer of 2021. “Deepening our partnership with the YMCA by choosing to move to the new facility has been a deliberate and careful process. Our board, staff and volunteers cannot think of a better place to be,” said BBBS Executive Director Tony Hollow. “Our organization is committed to helping kids reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships with adult mentors. The YMCA is equally dedicated to serving youth and helping families. We are excited to be co-located at the new Y. We believe this will enable both organizations to better serve the kids and families in Jackson.” BBBS will occupy approximately 1,000 square feet in the new facility, enabling Bigs (adult mentors) and Littles to utilize the YMCA gym, play equipment, community space and more for shared activities. Many of the young people currently mentored by BBBS adults also participate in the YMCA’s summer day…