John R. Grubb Community YMCA

“Our mission is our promise,” said Cameron Nicholson, executive director of the Grubb Y. “We not only provide quality services for youth development and healthy living, but also social responsibility. 

“And one way we assist the community is providing a place where the community can gather to celebrate, learn new things and socialize. Our facilities are a place to connect with others.”

Over the past year, the Grubb Y has been a natural gathering spot for such community events as the Back 2 School Bash, where over 600 students received school supplies to start the year. National Night Out at the Grubb Y was a crime and drug prevention event that  strengthened neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. Rock da Block was a community beautification and home repair program for the Mondamin and King-Irving neighborhoods where volunteers painted the hallways of the Grubb Y, installed pavement for the ball field bleachers and rebuilt the outdoor concession stand.

“All types of people use the Grubb Y,” Nicholson said. “All of us can be enriched by interacting with others, regardless of our ethnicity, gender, age or religion, and the YMCA and the Grubb Y in particular are organizations that should lead in this interaction.”