Thrive Together: A Vision of Hope and Belonging
In 2024, over 65 staff members and 25 board members dedicated 35 hours across 15 meetings to shape the vision and strategic plan for the Harrisburg Area YMCA. Subgroups, including volunteers, full-time staff, leadership, and consultants, collaborated to organize and refine ideas. Together, we assessed our current position, reaffirmed our mission, and charted an ambitious path toward expanded service in our community.
The Y’s Mission and Values are at the core of this strategic plan. They are the foundation upon which it is built and have provided the touchstones for all decisions throughout the planning process.
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We are:
Our Four Pillars
Fostering Belonging
Create welcoming environments and experiences where all individuals feel valued, respected, and connected in meaningful ways.
Inspiring & Empowering Youth
Deliver programs that allow all youth to build confidence, resilience, and life skills in their journey toward a fulfilling future.
Creating Community Environments
Ensure that our spaces and programs are accessible and welcoming, allowing us to create environments and experiences that are within reach for our entire community.
Expanding Health Equity
Address health disparities by offering programs that impact the overall health of individuals in our community.
Fostering Belonging
Where Everyone Feels Seen, Valued, and Connected
Goal #1: Through our people, actions, and attitudes, we will deliberately welcome and support the diversity of the communities that we serve.
Goal #2: Work to address financial and social barriers to YMCA programs and services providing equitable access to all individuals.
Outcomes
Goal #1:
- By 2030, all Full Time Exempt Staff will obtain the appropriate leadership level to their employment with the Y.
- All Leadership, Executive, Director, Membership and Wellness Staff will be fully trained in The Y Experience and Praesidium Compliance by 2028.
- By 2027, 100% of Y volunteer boards will show measurable progress towards fully representing the community, including in race/ethnicity, age, gender, income level, sexual orientation, and emerging communities.
- 85% of Active Older Adults will believe that the Y is a community gathering place for improving their health and combating social isolation by 2028.
Goal #2:
- Increase the amount of funding raised through the Annual Campaign and programmatic grants by 10% annually.
- Provide $100,000 annually through our endowment to children in need of financial support through School Aged Child Care, Summer Camp, Aquatics, Sports, Food programs and Membership.
- 100% of YMCA branches will reach beyond their walls through partnerships and programs that meet critical early education, youth development, and/or health and wellness needs by 2027.
Inspiring & Empowering Youth
Unlock Potential, Ignite Futures
Goal #1: Support and expand inclusive environments, programs, and partnerships that inspire teens to engage in emotional, mental and physical growth.
Goal #2: Enhance the quality of our youth programs to nurture the educational, social, and emotional development of our youngest community members in a safe environment.
Goal #3: Provide enriching experiences during out-of-school time to allow youth to expand their horizons and step out of their comfort zones in a supportive environment.
Outcomes
Goal #1:
- At least 80% of participants will demonstrate improved self-awareness and emotional regulation skills, measured by pre- and post-program surveys or behavioral assessments after each program session.
- 90% of Youth & Teens will build stronger relationships with peers and a trusted mentor.
- Each teen program will partner with at least two other YMCA departments (e.g., fitness, aquatics) to develop cross-functional programs for youth and teens.
Goal #2:
- Invest $5 million in state of the art Child Care facilities that meet the daily needs of working families by 2030.
- By 2027, 90% of our preschool graduates will be academically and socially prepared for kindergarten success.
- By 2027, 100% of our child development program participants will have access to nutritious meals at no cost during their participation in our programs.
Goal #3:
- 100% of youth and teen program staff complete a minimum of 10 hours of professional development training annually, including workshops on youth development, conflict resolution, and trauma-informed care.
- 95% of youth and teen participants will gain exposure to opportunities and activities that expand their perspectives and help prepare them for their futures.
Creating Community Environments
Where Connections Thrive and Possibilities Grow
Goal #1: Strategically connect and collaborate within our Y and with external partners to uplift and strengthen our community.
Goal #2: Transform our existing YMCA facilities into accessible and vibrant community hubs that foster connection, engagement, and inclusivity.
Outcomes
Goal #1:
- By 2028, we will leverage new and existing community partners to better serve and reach those who may not be able to participate in YMCA programs.
- Each year, we will strategically invest $100,000 in Association-wide staff experts to serve distinct populations like Senior Services/AOA, Teen & Family, Behavior Intervention, Competitive Sports, and others as needs emerge.
- Having identified an ever-increasing need for translation services across our Association, we will work to identify the specific needs of our community to provide the most useful translation services by 2027.
Goal #2:
- By 2029, we will improve the experience of all Y members with modernized, purpose-built facilities that encourage all guests to gather, socialize, and experience their own community within the Y with a $20 million dollar investment.
- Individuals who identify as having a disability will report that Y programs and facilities met their needs through modern ADA compliance by 2030.
- Build and/or renovate purposefully designed and dedicated spaces for teens and seniors in each Y facility by 2029
Expanding Health Equity
Bridging Gaps, Building Healthier Futures
Goal #1: Provide community members with the tools and resources to improve health outcomes.
Goal #2: Engage with our communities to ensure all opportunities with the Y are accessible.
Goal #3: Partner with behavioral health service providers to offer programs to community members from early childhood to seniors.
Outcomes
Goal #1:
- Collaborate annually with healthcare partners and communities across the state to provide education, resources, connections and access to health tools to ensure that all of those who we serve are able to navigate the healthcare system.
- Expand the amount of financial assistance given by 10% annually, deepening our impact and accessibility for all potential participants.
- Expand upon the number of Evidence-Based Health Intervention programs provided annually at each branch by 10% with funding from sponsorships and grants.
Goal #2:
- Invest $3M annually through funding partners to provide no-cost, Evidenced Based Health Intervention programs and services
- By 2028, create new, engaging virtual opportunities and communities to allow members of our communities to engage with Y programming wherever they are.
- Strengthen our partnerships with local school boards and districts to provide physical activities and youth sports, access to our pools with the Safety Around Water Program and a pipeline for day camps and afterschool programs by 2027.
Goal #3:
- By 2027, we will create a resource network for behavioral health support services that we can share with community members in need.
- By 2026 we will engage with behavioral health professionals to provide workshops focusing on the mental and behavioral health needs for distinct populations including children, teens and seniors.
Building Our Capacity
To accomplish our ambitious goals, our organization will need to prioritize building our capacity to serve in the following ways:
- WE WILL annually increase the YMCA Annual Campaign by 10% over the next 5 years.
- WE WILL expand the availability and funding structure of grant dollars to exceed budget expectations.
- WE WILL annually invest 3,000 staff hours in training for our employees.
- WE WILL invest 2,000 hours in training for our volunteers annually.
- WE WILL increase our staff’s satisfaction in their employment by 10%.
- WE WILL engage with our boards in new ways resulting in over 100 hours given annually to YMCA charitable initiatives.
- WE WILL invest in strategic staff expansion, providing $250,000 to further association initiatives.
What Success Looks Like
The Y WILL strengthen communities where hope thrives and everyone belongs.
Staff who foster and model a sense of belonging, hope, and relationship-building
create an environment where…
Members and program participants of all ages feel empowered to thrive, achieve their goals, and truly belong.
This sense of purpose inspires…
Partners and donors to align with the Y, joining us in addressing critical needs, leveraging our expertise, and working together toward shared goals.
Together, this ensures that…
Communities view the Y as a beacon of hope and the leading nonprofit that reaches beyond its walls to create lasting, positive change where everyone can thrive.
Questions
For more information about our Strategic Plan, please contact Grace Ballard, SVP of Mission Advancement by email below.
