Dear YMCA Community,
As 2023 comes to an end, it is such a wonderful time to reflect and remember all the things we have accomplished and to create new goals for the upcoming year.
I have been amazed by the work of our most committed and brilliant staff and we are all lifted by a group of Board members and program volunteers that deeply care about this organization and this community. With the dedication of our staff, volunteers, partners, and our community, we are committed to continue our mission of building healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Year-end Highlights of 2023:
- Monthly meals served increased from 86,700 per month to 155,000; that’s an increase of 56% in meals served to our community.
- Attended 25 City of Anaheim Mobile FRC‘s (Family Resource Centers) to promote programs, jobs, & volunteer opportunities. Received $5,000 donation for these efforts.
- Congressman Lou Correa advanced the Y mission by providing a $100,000 to train our Jr. High and HS staff with SEL (Social Emotional Learning) curriculum AND as a champion for the Y Community Complex Capital Campaign.
- Kevin Shattenkirk and the Player Inclusion Coalition of the NHL donated $5,000 to increase accessibility to the sport of hockey for all.
- AA E-Sports Tournament – Super Smash Bros game while all sites participated; Western won HS division and Brookhurst won JH division. 97 students attended and the tournament was hosted at Dale JHS.
- Marty Dutch completed her term as board chair. Michael Johnson began his 2023-2025 term as board Chair of the Anaheim Family YMCA.
- Our YMCA Community Complex hosted Trick or Treat Night at the Y with the help of community partners and organizations, with more than 1,300 people attending.
- Avanza program continues 4 year partnership with Disneyland Resort to provide workforce development workshops for teens.
- Our Community Complex also hosted an event with Feed the Children to distribute 400 boxes of food and hygiene kits.
- We hosted a Performing Arts Showcase with 300 people in attendance.
- Performing Arts students performed at the Annual City of Anaheim Tree lighting event on December 3rd.
- Youth and Government Program has quadrupled in size as they prepare to present their bill in Sacramento.
- The YMCA Community Complex also hosted the Annual Angels Baseball JR42 Clinic, with more than 80 kids attending the clinic.
- Served more than 900 kids in soccer and more than 1,450 kids in basketball.
- $7 million committed to the Y Community Complex Capital Campaign for phase two.
- Finally, we started a new volleyball league with LA84 funding, served more than 150 youth.
2024 holds immense possibilities for us as we continue our work, with the groundbreaking for phase two of our YMCA Community Complex poised to bring transformative changes to the lives of residents, members, and program participants.
Let’s make it a great year!
Brent R. Finlay
President and CEO
