Branch News
For more news, check out the branch calendar for exciting, upcoming activities at the Four Rivers Area Family YMCA.
Volunteers Needed as YMCA Bookfair Rapidly Approaches
Thousands of St. Louis area residents have been finding new friends in old books at the YMCA Bookfair for 35 years, and that tradition continues August 17-22, 2013 at the Kennedy Recreation Complex.
Go to YMCA Bookfair Web page.
A Brand New Day: The YMCA Unveils New Brand Strategy to Further Community Impact
Greater St. Louis to benefit from YMCA’s focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility
ST. LOUIS (July 12, 2010) – For the first time in 43 years, YMCA of the USA has unveiled a new brand strategy to increase understanding of the impact that YMCAs make in communities across the country. The YMCA has the unique capacity to address many of the challenges facing the nation today. Through its new brand strategy and framework, the nonprofit will extend its reach into communities to nurture the potential of youth and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being and provide opportunities to support neighbors.
The new brand strategy – the result of more than two years of analysis and research – was introduced today at a National Press Club event that included leaders from the philanthropic and nonprofit communities. As part of the event, the YMCA unveiled a new, more forward-looking logo that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the organization, and a framework that focuses resources on three core areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. In another major change, the nonprofit will be called “the Y” to align with how people most commonly refer to the organization.
“This is a very important, exciting time for the Y,” said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “For 160 years, we’ve focused on changing lives for the better. Our commitment to building greater awareness for the important work we do will enable us to expand our efforts and further strengthen communities across the country.”
Today, across the United States, Ys are making a difference in three key areas of focus:
· Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen
· Healthy Living: Improving the nation’s health and well-being
· Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors
The Y’s former logo had been in place since 1967 and was the organization’s sixth since its inception. The refreshed logo, with its multiple color options and new, contemporary look, better reflects the vibrancy of the Y and the diversity of the communities it serves. The new logo’s bold, active and welcoming shape symbolizes the Y’s commitment to personal and social progress.
the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.ymca.net
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Revitalizing The Y’s Brand
YMCA of Greater St. Louis FAQ
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Why did the Y revitalize its brand?
The Y has long been a respected nonprofit. Recent research showed, however, that our cause and impact are not fully understood. We’re changing how we talk about ourselves so that people better understand why we do what we do, and the benefits of getting involved with the Y.
Why now?
As our nation continues to face serious chronic and community issues, we believe the country must invest in its children, its health and its neighbors. Today, we’re making a difference in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The new brand allows us to increase understanding of the impact the Y makes so that more people get involved and experience our ability to foster lasting personal and social change.
Are the Mission and Core Values changing?
No. Our Mission remains the same – to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Faith remain the basis for all we do.
What is changing?
The new logo with its multiple color options reflects the vibrancy of our organization and the diversity of the communities we serve. Also, we’ll be known as “the Y” because that’s how people most commonly refer to us. In addition, we’re changing how we talk about why we do what we do so that people better understand the benefits of getting involved with the Y.
What does the Y hope to accomplish?
We’re committed to strengthening communities throughout Greater St. Louis — it’s what we’ve been doing since 1853. We see participation in our programs and services as a means to a greater end. We hope to tell our story more broadly to help more kids reach their potential, help more people improve their health and well-being, and help more communities grow stronger by giving back and providing support.
Why was the Y logo updated? Is there a difference between the Y and the YMCA?
The revitalized logo, with its multiple color options, better reflects the vibrancy of our organization and the diversity of the communities we serve. The Y is the YMCA. People most commonly refer to us at “the Y,” so that’s what we’re calling ourselves.
Why don’t we see anything yet? Is our Y behind schedule?
We have up to five years to fully implement the new brand strategy, and right now our plan is to take five years.
How does an organization of the Y’s size and structure develop and carry out a brand revitalization strategy?
YMCA of the USA and our local association work together every day to bring vital support and resources to communities. We’re using the same approach for the rebranding effort.
When was the last time the Y changed its brand or its logo?
This is the first time the Y has gone through a brand revitalization of this magnitude. The last effort was 43 years ago (1967).
Revitalizing The Y’s Brand
YMCA of Greater St. Louis Position
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Our Y
· We’re updating our image for the first time in 43 years.
· We’re simplifying and clarifying the way we talk about ourselves so communities understand our clear commitment to Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
· We’re talking about why we do what we do, and how we help more kids reach their potential, help more people improve their health and well-being, and help more communities grow stronger by giving back and providing support.
Mission
· Our Mission remains the same – to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Values and YMCA Name
· Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Faith remain the basis for all we do.
· The “MCA” is not gone. “YMCA” is part of the new logo.
· The Y is the YMCA. People most commonly refer to us at “the Y,” so that’s what we’re calling ourselves.
· Our Y exists to serve all through inclusive services and programs.
· In addition to mental and physical components, our Vision for Youth includes a spiritual component – the goal is to increase spiritual awareness in children and teens by encouraging volunteer service as an expression of love toward one another.
Programs and Services
· Our programs and services won’t change – we’ll continue to offer consistent, high-quality programming and services for all.
· We are simplifying the way we talk about what we do with an emphasis on WHY we do what we do, and HOW what we do helps communities.
· We have so many programs and services for so many people that we have struggled in the past to talk about what we do and why in a consistent way.
Timing
· Change will be take place over the next five years.
· We will communicate in a new way that focuses on why we do what we do in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility so that people better understand the benefits of getting involved with the Y.
· We will use an updated logo featuring multiple colors to emphasize our vibrancy and diversity in the communities we serve.
· We’ll be known as “the Y” because that’s how people most commonly refer to us.
Costs
· Changes and costs will take place over the next five years.
· Most items we’ll change are replaced when depleted and do not require new funds. These are things we already use that will be updated to reflect the new branding.
