What is Our Approach?

Why the YMCA?

As one of the largest nonprofit social service organizations in Minnesota (and the third largest YMCA in the nation), we are in a unique position to engage the Twin Cities and Rochester community through our 350,000 participants, 8,500 employees and more than 140 sites – many of which serve communities of color and new immigrants.

Beyond the power of our network, we are truly inspired to do our part to address the inequities in our communities. 

Opportunity and equity are core to our mission and values. They are at the heart of our long-standing commitment to social responsibility. They amplify the collective work of our Mission Impact Council, which partners with organizations to create a brighter future for young people. And they advance our Diversity, Inclusion & Global initiative, which creates space for equity work for all.

What is Our Approach?

We start with a few assumptions – that we are learners not experts, that our community sites can be rich innovation labs and that great ideas can come from anywhere. That’s why collaboration is central to our work. Our growth in the equity innovation arena is key to the YMCA’s continued relevance and sustainability.  

Our collaborative equity innovation model is built on four shared tenets : Shared Vision, Shared Practices, Shared Solutions and Shared Outcomes.

To learn more, contact us.