Tiered Support
YMCA Community Navigators help individuals set and meet their life goals to improve everyday living conditions. Life goals can include a child’s academics, financial well-being, housing stability and basic needs. We support families and individuals in building stability at various levels of need.
The YMCA's Community Navigation Program specifically addresses the social determinants of health, everyday conditions that shape overall well-being.
These include access to safe housing, reliable food, employment, transportation, healthcare and social support. Improving social determinants of health helps everyone be healthier. The YMCA’s tiered approach supports individuals and families in building stability at various levels of need.
Providing Concrete Support to Families
The Y served more than 900 individuals and families in 2025 through Community Navigators.
Maria*
Maria* fled and survived domestic violence.
She stayed with a friend and contacted the YMCA. Immediately, Coreen, a Community Navigator, connected her with Interact and the Mexican Consulate to find safe housing. While we waited, the YMCA approved her for free Y membership, enrolled the family in Swim for Life, Camp Excel, and Cooking Matters, connected them to a church, and got the whole family therapy.
Her children regularly received donations of food, shoes, toys, and books. Soon after, she opened the doors to her better future with the keys to her new apartment.
Eventually, Maria received over $5,000 in rental assistance. After all they’ve been through, they finally have a stable and happy home.
Claudia*
Learning to live in a new home and a new country.
We connected with Claudia*, a resilient South African refugee, when her daughter stopped attending Y Excel. One quick call resolved the problem, but these situations are common when new immigrant parents are navigating unfamiliar systems.
Claudia's first three months of refugee resettlement support ended with many unanswered questions, especially about her oldest son’s stalled immigration process. The YMCA's Community Navigators referred her to low-cost refugee services and paid for a Kramden computer so she could manage school updates and important documents.
The Y covered the cost of driving school. She proudly earned her driver’s license, and is now waiting to receive her car with a referral to Wheels 4 Hope.
Starting over in a new country is overwhelming, but the Y is honored to walk alongside her, clearing a path forward as she works toward stability, citizenship, and a brighter future for her family.