TampaY_Annual Report_2017
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Our Y has a tremendous history here in Tampa<br />
as the city’s oldest nonprofit and we have been<br />
evolving over the last 129 years as we strive to<br />
serve the ever changing needs of our families.<br />
FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO<br />
The year <strong>2017</strong> was a big one for me<br />
because it’s the year I was fortunate<br />
enough to join the Tampa YMCA<br />
family! And what a family it is. Even<br />
before my wife and I officially called<br />
Tampa Bay home, I was welcomed<br />
with open arms. Since October<br />
<strong>2017</strong>, I have been forging new<br />
relationships, educating myself on<br />
our Y’s culture and atmosphere and<br />
working alongside our great team of<br />
volunteers and staff to make a great<br />
Y even better.<br />
I arrived during a year when we<br />
accomplished so much! <strong>2017</strong> was<br />
a year when new data showed the<br />
drowning rate among young children<br />
in Hillsborough County decreased<br />
by half. This is encouraging news<br />
to the Tampa Y because drowning<br />
prevention is a top strategic priority<br />
area. However, there is much work to<br />
be done. Florida still ranks number<br />
one in the nation for youth drowning<br />
cases. The Y will continue to reach<br />
more vulnerable populations in<br />
the years to come. Together, with<br />
supporters like you, we’re committed<br />
to ensuring not one more local child<br />
drowns.<br />
As a local leader in health and<br />
wellness, the Tampa Y launched the<br />
new Enhance ® Fitness program at<br />
three of our Ys. This senior fitness<br />
and arthritis management program<br />
is designed to increase fitness levels<br />
while building a sense of social<br />
connectedness. The feedback we’re<br />
getting is phenomenal and we look<br />
forward to expanding the program at<br />
more Ys in the near future.<br />
In <strong>2017</strong>, we expanded the Y’s Veggie<br />
Van – A Mobile Market Place to<br />
include two new stops in Plant City<br />
and Dover. Through the Veggie<br />
Van, we distribute fresh fruits and<br />
veggies into targeted communities<br />
without access to healthy and<br />
affordable food. We also kicked off<br />
a new collaboration with the James<br />
A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and look<br />
forward to bettering the lives of<br />
thousands of Tampa Bay veterans!<br />
This past year, we expanded the<br />
Downtown Y to include a newly<br />
renovated multi-use fitness space,<br />
called “the STUDIO.” Further<br />
north, we cut the ribbon on a large<br />
renovation project at the Bob Sierra<br />
North Tampa Family Y to provide<br />
12,000 North Tampa children,<br />
teens and adults the support and<br />
resources they need to achieve<br />
greater health and well-being.<br />
Furthermore, more Northdale/<br />
Carrollwood kids can learn about<br />
teamwork, relationship-building and<br />
other life skills in the facility’s newly<br />
expanded Kid Zone.<br />
In addition, I’m excited to have<br />
come aboard at the same time we<br />
broke ground on the final phase<br />
of the Spurlino Family YMCA at<br />
Big Bend Road. By late 2018,<br />
we’ll welcome thousands of South<br />
Hillsborough County residents<br />
into our new 32,500-square-foot<br />
facility in Riverview. This supportive<br />
environment will serve as a muchneeded<br />
community hub where<br />
families can spend quality time<br />
together, kids can build character<br />
and confidence and everyone can<br />
improve their quality of life.<br />
My thanks to the Governance<br />
Board, center advisory boards,<br />
volunteers, donors and staff for<br />
their dedication and continuous<br />
support to serve the changing needs<br />
of our community. Throughout <strong>2017</strong>,<br />
we’ve stayed true to our Vision 2020<br />
III established priority areas: closing<br />
the achievement gap, improving<br />
Tampa Bay’s health and well-being,<br />
teen leadership development and<br />
drowning prevention.<br />
I feel very fortunate to have this<br />
wonderful opportunity to serve such<br />
a diverse and vibrant community.<br />
Our Y has a tremendous history<br />
here in Tampa as the city’s oldest<br />
nonprofit and we have been evolving<br />
over the last 129 years as we strive<br />
to serve the ever changing needs<br />
of our families. I look forward to<br />
nurturing that continued evolvement<br />
as we continue to strengthen the<br />
foundations of community.<br />
With appreciation,<br />
Matt Mitchell<br />
President & CEO<br />
813.224.9622<br />
9