Charlie’s Car Wash Fundraiser
Greater than the Sum
Here at the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, we work hard to not just talk the talk of our “for all” mission, but to walk lockstep with it. We seek to ensure people of all backgrounds can access the Y and feel welcomed, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. We recognize that there has been […]
A Place to Call Home
Written by Shade Jalo “Everyone should have a space where they feel like they are included, visible, and valued. We have to be that space, especially for those who may not have that anywhere else.” As we march through Pride month, this particular line from our Summer Day Camp Diversity and Inclusion training really hits […]
A Heart-Healthy Checklist
February is American Heart Month, a time when organizations around the country share information and tips about improving (or maintaining) heart health. We’ve created a consolidated list that tells you what you need to know about heart-healthy living and steps you can take to improve the health and function of your body’s most vital organ. […]
Counting the Value of Sleep
Do you remember when you were a kid and you so badly wanted to be a grownup? You’d dream of a time when you could eat whatever you wanted at every meal, stay up as late as you desired, and of course, you’d never have any homework – you could do what you wanted with […]
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 […]
The Meaning of Governance
Written by Aishwarya Swamidurai I never could have imagined the sheer significance that such an unassuming, yet amazing program like Youth and Government (YAG) would have in my life. Perhaps I should have realized the program’s name told me exactly what I would come to learn about before ever starting this journey: government. My YAG […]
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 […]
Heavy Exercise and Parkinson’s Disease
Written by Carlene Hammonds Two very important things happened in our family in 2013. The first, my husband, Rich, was diagnosed by the Veteran’s Administration as having Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The second, he retired from the United States Air Force after serving for 33 years. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, […]
