On December 2nd, the Moody Family YMCA celebrated the opening of the Rise School’s Ronen Rosenberg Playground! The playground was a gift from Barry and Shelly Rosenberg in honor of their son, Ronen, a student at Rise. On hand were the Rise School families for the official ribbon cutting and inaugural play date along with YMCA staff and volunteers.   The new playground is just another tool to help teach the children small and gross motor skills along with the skills to play on a playground as they transition into their next school environment.

In August of 2106,  the Rise School of Dallas formally merged with the YMCA and relocated to the new Moody Family YMCA in the Park Cities.  The YMCA Rise School of Dallas provides the highest quality of early childhood education services to children with Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities side by side with children without disabilities in an inclusive classroom setting with master's level educators and on-staff speech, occupational, physical, and music therapists.  Since 1998, the Rise School of Dallas has continuously touched the lives of children who otherwise might not have received this type of specialized education. Originally established at the University of Alabama, there are several Rise Schools throughout the country including many in Texas including Houston, Austin, and Dallas.  

The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas announced today that President and Chief Executive Officer,  Gordon Echtenkamp will retire in 2017, after 16 years of  leading the 20th largest YMCA in the North America and a 40 year career serving the YMCA organization. A Board Search committee led by Mike Haggerty, Manager of Field Family Office, Estate of Bert Fields will begin the transition planning and recruitment efforts immediately. It is expected a successor will be in place early 2017 allowing a smooth transition as Echtenkamp retires later in the year.

“Gordon Echtenkamp’s commitment to the mission and vision for the YMCA certainly has made a major impact on the lives of the children and families here in North Texas,” said Kelvin Walker, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Board Chair.  “For nearly two decades and through the economic downturn, Gordie has led our YMCA through a period of remarkable growth and community impact, with a strong focus of meeting the needs of our community through relevant programs and impeccable financial stability. Our transition plan will provide a seamless passage of his good works as we build upon the foundation of Gordie’s tenure.”  

Under his leadership, the Dallas YMCA has grown to serve more than 300,000 children and families in the greater Dallas community with an operating budget of $55 million. In addition, the Dallas Y is the largest provider of school-age childcare in North Texas serving 4,500 children daily in afterschool and camp programs.

During Echtenkamp’s tenure, he led two successful capital development initiatives that raised funds producing $80 million in projects addressing nearly every YMCA facility in the organization including new YMCAs opened in Plano, Frisco, East Dallas and the Park Cities communities.  Significant renovation of existing community Ys was also completed including the T Boone Pickens YMCA Downtown, the JER Chilton YMCA in Rockwall, Grand Prairie YMCA along with the Park South, Moorland and Oak Cliff YMCAs and Camp Grady Spruce on Possum Kingdom Lake.

Echtenkamp recruited and engaged Dallas’ top corporate, community and civic leaders to serve on the Association Board of Directors and branch Boards of Managements, invested in the mission of the Y. The Y’s fundraising efforts generated more than $110 million over the last 15 years. Through carefully designed strategic plans, the Y developed signature programs and services to address critical social needs in Dallas including children’s safety, youth civic engagement, and community health.

“I am so proud to have served the YMCA movement for forty years and the last sixteen years here in Dallas, “said Mr. Echtenkamp. “The opportunity to work not only with an incredible staff team, but also an outstanding group of committed volunteers, donors, city leaders and community partners who are all focused on strengthening the foundation of this community has been such a privilege.  I am confident that the Y will continue to meet the high expectations we all have of ourselves in service to the community.”

During his tenure, Echtenkamp played a key role in cultivating talent from around the country and implemented a multi-layer staff development initiative designed to create a culture of coaching for the more than 2,000 Dallas employees. His reach extended beyond Dallas as well, as he served as chair of the YMCA Employee Benefits Plan (YEB) and the YMCA North American Network, a group of YMCA CEOs from the world’s largest cities.

The transition planning will also include an executive search for the recently announced retirement of COO Carmelita Gallo, who will complete her Y service at the end of 2016 following a 43-year career with the YMCA.

About the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas

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 20 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcadallas.org

The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas School Age Service is helping plant seeds at Lakeside Elementary in Coppell.  Last fall Lisa Timmerman, a Gifted and Talented Specialist at Lakeside was exploring grant funding for a Tower Garden® to teach about aeroponic growing methods. Tower Garden® simplifies traditional gardening, using a unique vertical garden system that makes it easy to grow your own fresh fruits and vegetables at home or school. Without much luck on funding, the Y stepped in with help from a recent donation.  Mark Mills, a long time YMCA supporter had just donated several tower gardens to the Dallas YMCA to place in local Dallas Ys and with other community partners.  Lakeside Elementary where the YMCA has an onsite afterschool program seemed like a perfect match. 

The Tower Garden® will be used at Lakeside as a Project Based Learning (PBL) project.  The Tower Garden® Challenge PBL will allow 3rd-5th learners to compare traditional growing methods using Lakeside’s garden to aeroponic growing methods using our Tower Garden.   Learners will collaborate to support or disprove the company’s claim that a Tower Garden will produce more yield, use less water, and less land. Students will design and conduct science experiments, manage variables, and draw conclusions about this claim.  They will consider the future implications of aeroponic growing methods, and real-life applications to the city of Coppell.  Learners will also present their findings to authentic stakeholders, utilizing future-ready skills. 

The YMCA and Lakeside Elementary look forward to seeing the results of the students' work.

DALLAS, TX  FEBRUARY 26, 2016.  Yesterday YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) and YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas launched Zoe for President, a campaign to elect a one-year-old girl as our nation’s Commander in Chief…in 2064.  The campaign highlights the potential the Y sees in all kids to grow up and change the world if they’re nurtured properly and supported along the way. Through Y initiatives like childcare, academic enrichment, mentorship, college prep, job training, and more, kids have the opportunities to succeed, grow, and one day, maybe even become president. The Y aims to impart the values of what it means to achieve—how hard work, determination, perseverance and character can drive someone to success beyond what they thought possible.

Like all candidates, Zoe has her own campaign website, ZoeForPresident.net (www.ZoeForPresident.net), where users can donate to her campaign, watch videos to learn her stance on issues and shop for swag. When users donate to Zoe’s campaign, they are donating to their local Y and supporting the programs and services that enable kids like Zoe to thrive from childhood through retirement.

 “While Zoe for President is a breath of fresh air during a heated campaign cycle, every child— regardless of background—needs support and guidance to reach their full potential,” said Kevin Washington, president and CEO, YMCA of the USA. “Zoe’s campaign addresses actual issues that America’s communities are faced with each day like access to early childhood education, safe space, meal assistance, and the Y’s role in solving the challenges head on.”

 Zoe for President is the second phase of the Y’s For a better us™ campaign, a multi-year, multi-faceted effort to engage more people with the Y and its mission as a nonprofit.  Earlier this year, the Y launched two powerful television commercials, Places, and Idle Hands, each spotlighting a different  problem communities in America face today.  Both spots closed with the Y’s nonprofit work on the ground, engaging and enriching kids and families through safe spaces, mentorship, education, meal programs and more.

 “The Y works to ensure all kids have the support they need to achieve their full potential,” said Gordon Echtenkamp, President/CEO of the Dallas Y. “We work here in the North Texas community to provide services addressing our most critical social issues such as keeping children safe in and around water through lessons which  taught more than 3,000 kids in low income apartment communities to swim last year or  as  in our partnership with Children’s Health, Get up and Go,  a free 9 -week healthy lifestyle program for children and their families which had more than 170 graduates last year.

Those interested in donating to the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas can visit ZoeForPresident.net or call 214-880-9622.  

About 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 22 North Texas communities, the Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. www.ymcadallas.org

With more than forty great years in the making, the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is almost here, again marking Dallas’ way to begin Thanksgiving Day.  On Thursday, November 26, nearly 35,000 participants are expected to turn out to Dallas City Hall Plaza for the 8 mile race and 5K fun run. The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot benefits YMCA programs that help the YMCA to strengthen the foundations of community.

The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is one of the largest multi-event races in the country. The excitement that surrounds this event continues to grow each year as more runners and generations of families turn out to experience the fun and family-friendly atmosphere that is the backdrop to the race.  The Trot consists of both a certified 5K, and an 8 mile race.  Again this year there is the option for all participants to be chip timed in both the 5k and 8 mile race with a $5 timing charge and a timed runner corral.

Online and walk in registration is $35, walk in registration and packet pick up begins on Saturday, November 21 through Wednesday, November 25. Race day registration is $40. Trot Tot registration for children 6 and under is $15. And new this year we have expanded Trot Tot shirt sizes to include Toddler Sizes. Yes, now everyone can have their own Trot shirt and race bib. Don’t forget to register your dog for $10 and receive a cool Y-Trot bandana and race bib for your 4 legged friends.

Packet Pick-up for mail-in, on-line registration will be held at the following Luke’s Locker locations in Dallas on Mockingbird Lane, White Rock on Gaston Ave, in Plano on Legacy Road and Highland Village on Cottonwood Creek.  New pick up locations added this year are the T. Boone Pickens YMCA downtown at Ross and Akard along with the Coppell Family YMCA located on Town Center Blvd in Coppell.

The original Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot was held at the Old Fair Grounds back in the early 40’s; but the long string of consecutive races began with the 8-mile race in 1968.  The unique 8- mile race distance was created when the 107 participants were instructed to run along the shores of White Rock Lake “to the big oak tree and back”.  By 1979, the Race had become so popular that it was moved to the Downtown are to accommodate more runners and showcase “Big D”.  The 3 mile Fun Run/Walk was added in 1984 to accommodate the increasing participation of individuals and families.

For more information on the 48^th Annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot or to volunteer call  (214)954-0500 or to register log on to www.thetrot.com