Charlie’s Car Wash Fundraiser
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 […]
Why Your Local Y Needs You
Written by Paul Urquhart As an Executive Director for a YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City facility, I get a firsthand look at the heart of what we do every single day. We serve a wide range of individuals thanks in part to our financial assistance program and our community outreach efforts. The importance of our […]
Home Is Where the Heart Is
Just before North Side YMCA member Hisham Kanaa was born, his uncle, Nazih Zuhdi, M.D., emigrated from Lebanon to the United States; a move that would profoundly shape the future of their family and countless others in the world. Dr. Zuhdi arrived on a mission to build upon his medical training. His specialized education would […]
A YMCA Connection
Written by Carlene Hammonds Starting at a young age, the YMCA became a way of life for my husband, Rich, and his family. Growing up, he was on a variety of team sports, and his mother took him and his brothers to the Y for swimming lessons. When the time came to make decisions about […]
LGBTQ+ Identity, Child Development and How We Move Forward
LGBTQ+ IDENTITY THROUGH THE LENS OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT Anytime legislation is being discussed in the news and the impacted group doesn’t have a voice, it gives me some pause. The groups that seem to be removed from tough conversations around LGBTQ+ youth are probably the ones that matter most, such as Child Development professionals, education […]
Father’s Day: More Than an Excuse to Buy a Tie
Inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon over 100 years ago, Sonora Louis Smart Dodd wondered why there was no similar holiday for fathers. One of six children, Dodd’s father was a single father and she felt he and others deserved to be honored. After securing support from ministers in Spokane, Wash., her idea came to […]
How to Be Welcoming and Affirming In Your Community
It’s increasingly important that more and more spaces are places where LGBTQ+ individuals can feel accepted, seen, and loved. Many people want to provide that safe space, but they aren’t quite sure how to go about it. Today, I want to share some tips on how to be a welcoming and affirming individual. TIPS FOR […]
Ways to Get Outdoors at the Y and Beyond
Summertime means families are spending more time together, both indoors and outdoors. With warmer temperatures and longer days, there’s more opportunity to enjoy the world around us, and we’ve compiled a list of ways to get outdoors at the Y and beyond. Join the Y’s Walking and Running ClubThe YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City has […]
The Importance of Welcoming and Affirming Spaces
Written by Shade Jalo Last year, I wrote about what it means to be a gay young man working for the YMCA. I discussed how it had grown to become a home and family for me. It was easy to discuss something of that nature, but I think this year’s post might be a little […]
