Our Commitment to Inclusion. A letter from CEO/President Michele Rulnick

Dear YMCA Members,

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.

I think it is important that we share this guiding principle of the YMCA. While we know that people choose the Y for various reasons it is important to understand that you are part of an organization that serves all in our community with dignity and respect. The Y should be a welcoming community that supports, nurtures, and at times heals children, families and individuals. Every Y member is valued and deserves to feel safe when they come to the Y.

The current tenor and polarization of our politics has permeated every part of our society. The lack of civility is exhausting and anxiety provoking.

Our community expects the Y to unify and provide an environment that celebrates differences, offers ways to relieve stress, improve wellness and encourage positive human interaction. It is important that the Y is that place.

Being respectful, kind and accepting of others is not tied to a political ideology. It is a moral code of conduct that the Y models and teaches starting in infant programs and throughout a person’s lifetime of Y engagement. Please remember this when you come to the Y. Keep your language and conversations respectful so that regardless of a person’s sex, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or age, they will feel welcome at all times at the Y.

The Y is a special place because of our diversity and commitment to community. Let us celebrate and protect what makes this organization great by modeling respect for others at all times!

Thank you,

Michele Rulnick

YMCA President/CEO