A new employee recently shared something that stuck with me. She had just visited the Finley YMCA, her home Y, for the first time since starting her job. With a big smile, she said, “I wanted to tell you that everything I saw in my onboarding videos was true. Every staff member was so nice and welcoming. They greeted every person who came through the door.”
That moment reinforced something I’ve known for a long time: the YMCA is more than a place to work out or drop off your kids for swim lessons - it’s a community where people feel seen and valued.
I felt that same sense of belonging last week when I worked out (yes, I workout) at the East Triangle YMCA. Staff members were engaging with members throughout the wellness floor, offering a pat on the back, sharing a smile or encouraging someone to push through their last set.
These small gestures can make a big difference in making someone feel welcome.
Welcome is such a powerful word. It’s more than a greeting: it’s an invitation, a promise and a responsibility.
At the Y, our Mission calls us to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. That last part - for all - isn’t just a tagline. It’s a commitment to ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors feels they belong.
As our community grows and changes, we must be intentional about widening our welcome and opening our doors. It means recognizing and embracing the diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that make up our Y community. It means making sure no one feels like an outsider, whether it’s their first visit or their hundredth.
Each of us has a role in making our Y a place where everyone feels at home. A warm hello in the hallway; a conversation in the locker room; an encouraging word in a group fitness class. Let’s each do our part to engage, to build friendships and to extend kindness to every single person who comes through our doors.
