DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & GLOBAL

The Y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect and responsibility—they guide everything we do.

YMCA Global Presence

The Y is one of the largest volunteer organizations in the world, serving more than 45 million people in 119 countries. Ys in the U.S. have played a key role in the growth and strength of the global organization and continue to partner with other Ys around the world to address critical social issues. Collectively, we use the knowledge and resources of our global network to help people reach their potential. From welcoming newcomers in the U.S. to working to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, Ys have the expertise and commitment to strengthen communities and bring about positive change.

UPCOMING EVENTS

For All

“For all” is a simple but powerful phrase. Without it, the Y mission is incomplete. Our commitment to inclusion creates better communities, a better country and a better world.

We know that the key to effectively nurturing the potential of children, improving the nation’s health and well-being and supporting our neighbors is a passionate, experienced and diverse array of staff, volunteers and members who value what everyone brings to the table. 

We are passionate about our cause to strengthen communities and know that our ability to achieve it begins with reflecting and partnering with people from all walks of life.

Global Initiatives

The YMCA of Northern Colorado partners with YMCA Peru in Lima as a part of our global outreach efforts. Each year, students in the Global Teen Leadership program visit YMCA Peru to do service learning projects, visit youth programs and learn about the culture of this country and its people. For our participants, the program opens their eyes to the world outside their comfort zones and connects them to the global impact of the YMCA. Later in the summer, youth from YMCA Peru visit the YMCA of Northern Colorado, experiencing the culture and sharing their language and traditions with kids in our programs. 

In another partnership, the YMCA of Northern Colorado works with the Sioux YMCA in north central South Dakota. The Sioux YMCA operates youth, recreational and camping programs across the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation — covering more than 5,000 square miles. The area has 13,000 residents with an unemployment rate of more than 90 percent. 

Employer For Diversity

Forbes magazine has featured the YMCA as part of its inaugural America’s Best Employers for Diversity list. The list rates the top 250 diverse employers across all American industries. The Y placed 15th overall and topped the list of community-based organizations.

“The Y is committed to becoming an even more diverse and inclusive organization at all levels to better reflect, engage and build bridges among all communities we serve,” said Lynda Gonzales-Chavez, senior vice president and chief diversity officer, YMCA of the USA. “While we continuously strive to strengthen our inclusion efforts, this ranking represents the hard work of all of the Ys across the nation—and it's an honor to receive such recognition.”

Currently, the Y employs more than 250,000 people to serve its 22 million members through a network of 2,700 locations in 10,000 communities across the nation. The figure includes full-time, exempt staff, full-time non-exempt, part-time and seasonal staff.