Monday Morning Joe: Agent in God’s Mission

In March of 2021, the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City partnered with the Inasmuch Foundation and McLaughlin Family Foundation to provide a free sports league of third and fourth-grade students in the Oklahoma Public Schools district. In the midst of Covid and a school system trying to reopen, the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City stepped into […]

Monday Morning Joe: Transform the Community

The Book of Nehemiah is an interesting historical perspective on the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the exile. It is a very personal, specific account of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem from Nehemiah’s point of view. The story goes like this: The words of Nehemiah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I […]

Monday Morning Joe: A Cup of Joe for Two

Welcome to a special Monday Morning Joe! Monday Morning Joe Presents: A Cup of Joe for Two. An informal interview with YMCA staff and volunteers throughout the Greater OKC area share their story, their passions, and how the Y creates space for them to live into their passion. Today, you will hear from Shade Jalo, […]

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Heal the World

One of my favorite programs the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City offers is called Getting Ahead. Getting Ahead is a program that fights poverty head on by offering a free 16-week program that works with individuals to help them set their goals, build a network of support, and discover resources to create a more stable […]

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Finding Joy

Christmas is the most joyful time of the year, we are told. I know for some; Christmas can be a difficult time of the year filled with loneliness, depression, isolation, cold days, long nights, trauma, missing loved ones. It may seem strange think to take a moment and think about the theme of joy during […]

MONDAY MORNING JOE: Waiting for Peace

The second week of Advent in the Christian church usually centers around the theme of peace. Peace on earth and goodwill towards all. As the old hymn proclaims, “Peace on earth, can it be? Years from, perhaps we’ll see the day of glory, the day when men of goodwill live in peace again.” Peace is […]

Meet Charles Eastman, Father of the Adventure Guides

November is Native American Heritage Month, and we’re celebrating the history of Native Americans within the YMCA. One of the many Indigenous Americans we celebrate this month is Charles Eastman, the first Native American to be certified in Western medicine. Eastman’s passion to support Native American youth led him to the YMCA when he was […]

Supporting Heroes During Active Duty and Beyond

To those who are currently serving or have served in the past: Thank you for your service. In an effort to give back to the men and women who answered the call, the Armed Services YMCA proudly partners with the U.S. Department of Defense to offer memberships through the Military Outreach Initiative. This initiative allows […]

A Heart for the Arts

It’s no secret that the arts have a drastic impact on children and teens’ development. The power of the arts is not only limited to mental development, but it allows for the exploration of new ideas, emotional expression and cultural appreciation. The arts, like many programs here at the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, are […]