The McGaw YMCA has adopted a new strategic plan detailing the organization’s focus areas for the next three years. The goals of the plan include an increase in school readiness and success in Y youth; becoming a leader in promoting mental and physical wellbeing; addressing nutrition and food security across our community; advocating for bridge housing as part of Evanston’s response to affordable housing; completing the Men’s Residence fundraising and renovation project; and a focus on providing more responsive services to address the ever-changing needs in the Evanston community.
Rooted in the Y’s mission and vision, the McGaw Y will focus on four strategic priorities in the upcoming years: strengthening community and social responsibility; education and youth development; community health and wellbeing; and organizational excellence.
These strategic priorities reinforce McGaw Y’s commitment to securing its long-term financial sustainability and making investments in its staff and facilities so that it can deliver programs and services in Evanston that connect all people to their potential, purpose and each other.
“The McGaw Y has always envisioned being a place of belonging for all people at every stage of life. Our strategic plan, which was developed in partnership with our community, outlines the intentional changes we need to make to become that place of belonging for Evanston,” said Monique Parsons, the McGaw Y’s President and CEO.
The strategic planning process began prior to the onset of COVID-19, with McGaw Y conducting research, interviews and feedback sessions with diverse community voices. The key community needs that emerged from that planning process ranged from vital services around mental health, wellbeing, and education to support for food and housing insecurity.
Stakeholder feedback also identified the importance of the Y’s role in leading social change to address inequities and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. The McGaw Y has both a capacity and a willingness to acknowledge past harm, intentionally lead and boldly model how equity and inclusion can impact and strengthen the foundations of the Evanston community.
“Building on what we’ve learned from our past, our strategic plan helps to guide our steps forward with a comprehensive commitment to our mission and a focus on becoming an anti-racist, multicultural organization where everyone can be, become and belong. This is our commitment to our community,” Parsons said.
As McGaw Y carries out its strategic plan, there will be a continuous focus on equity, capacity building and community impact while creating deep partnerships that will inspire collective action throughout the Evanston community.
The full strategic plan is available on the McGaw Y’s website.
Source: The McGaw YMCA
Step one might be to fix the very worse sidewalk area in Evanston. It is right in front of the Early Education center on Maple. Each rain it creates a huge puddle that parents carrying or walking small children have to navigate getting muddy or wet. And we walkers also have to go around it or go in the street. It disprespects the community. Come on Y, you do so much really well, step up on this problem.