The YMCA of San Angelo Awarded $750,000 from the San Angelo Health Foundation for Capital Campaign
By Angel Flores
San Angelo, Texas – The YMCA of San Angelo is excited to announce that the San Angelo Health Foundation has awarded a $750,000 grant for “The Big Picture” capital campaign. The campaign goal is $7.5 million, which will allow the YMCA to construct a second facility in order to expand its services.
The YMCA has purchased the property located at 2833 College Hills Boulevard. The capital project includes renovating the existing 11,000 square foot facility to accommodate the preschool program and Y-Town and constructing a new 12,000 square foot multi-use center. Y-Town will be an interactive miniature city with themed activity rooms, such as a grocery store and construction site, for kids to learn through activities and play. The multi-use center will consist of an indoor playground, basketball court, and cafeteria. Additionally, the new location will host day camps, afterschool programs, accommodate field trips, and will be available for rent for private parties and special events.
Due to demand for The Y’s services, namely the preschool program, the staff and board have determined there is a great need for expanding its capacity. The preschool program serves children ages 3-5 and currently accommodates 30 children but has a wait-list that averages 75 children and a one-year wait. The new location will have the capacity to serve 72 children in preschool alone. This is due in part because the YMCA will not turn anyone away due to their inability to pay for membership and/or programs and awards scholarships to help with fees to join. In 2018, the Y granted over $338,713 in scholarships associationwide. Additionally, the new location will increase the daily capacity for day and summer camps.
A.J. Moore, Executive Director of the YMCA of San Angelo, states, “We are extremely grateful to the San Angelo Health Foundation for this grant award. Their support provides this campaign an exciting jump start in our fundraising efforts. It is our sincere belief that their gift confirms the importance of this project in that it will fill a critical childcare gap in our community.”
“On behalf of the YMCA’s Board of Directors, I want to thank the San Angelo Health Foundation for their generous gift to the capital campaign. We are proud of the Y’s programs and services, which is due in great part to the outstanding staff and our generous supporters and donors.” adds Raymond Meza, the YMCA’s Board President.
The YMCA of San Angelo has contracted with Jelly Nonprofit Consulting (JNPC), a San Angelo-based firm, to manage its capital campaign. Angelina Osornio Torres, its Founder and CEO, explains, “This project is going to fill a gap in the community and will be unlike any other in San Angelo. We are thrilled to have the San Angelo Health Foundation’s seal of approval though this very generous gift.
For more information about the project, contact A.J. Moore at (325) 655-9106 or amoore@ymcasanangelo.org. To learn more about the YMCA of San Angelo, visit www.ymcasangelo.org.