YMCA shares task force recommendations for enhanced urban services

Listen to this article

Enhancing programing at existing locations and exploring a collaboration with a developer to create a modified downtown wellness facility are among the recommendations to the YMCA of Greater Rochester by a task force created by the agency to enhance urban services.  

While the YMCA made the decision to close the Carlson MetroCenter earlier this year, it also engaged a 16-member task force of non-profit leaders, state and local law makers, and community advocates to embark on a six-month process to evaluate the Y’s urban offerings, assess the needs of the community, and propose ways to better serve all within the city limits. 

“This was an incredible process that gave us the opportunity to engage with community leaders like we haven’t in many years,” said George Romell, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Rochester. “It allowed us to focus on the needs of our community and learn where the YMCA can be most impactful.”  

The following seven recommendations, along with timelines for each, were developed by the task force and put forth to the YMCA of Greater Rochester Board of Directors. All seven were unanimously approved in November. They are: 

1. Unified Urban Services: The YMCA will commit to invest the necessary resources to align staff and volunteers, that looks at the whole instead of location-by-location, to avoid duplication of service and maximize impact. Timeline: 2022 
2. Partnerships in Health& Wellbeing: The YMCA will engage impactful partners and collaborators to strengthen its new delivery system and address the Social Determinants of Health for city residents. Timeline: Ongoing  
3. Financial Sustainability: The YMCA will create a different funding matrix – through its endowment, grants, private philanthropy/foundations, government support and suburban branches/overnight camp success when COVID recovery occurs – to invest in and adequately deliver its urban mission. Timeline: 18-36 Months 
4. Existing Locations& Community Outreach: The YMCA will enhance inclusive programming that is developed in response to the community’s needs and is delivered within its existing locations – Maplewood Family Branch, YMCA Center for Equity at Lewis Street and Southwest Family Branch – as well as outreach locations through our collaborations. Timeline: Ongoing  
5. Center City Wellness Location: The YMCA will explore a modified downtown wellness facility in partnership with a developer at a centralized location with a focus on adult/senior wellness. Timeline: 12-18 Months  
6. The Future of Carlson: IF the YMCA can find a committed partner, or partners, to share the Carlson MetroCenter for positive community impact, the YMCA’s role will be to deliver larger scale youth development and teen services taking advantage of the space the facility offers. Timeline: 6-12 Months  
7. New, Full-Service Facility: The YMCA will determine the feasibility of a second, full-facility YMCA within the city limits to create a “neighborhood hub model” that has been successful in many other cities in the nation. Timeline: 4-6 Years 

Following the first recommendation, the YMCA has created new position, senior vice president of urban services, who will oversee operations and strategy within the city limits. 

Daniele Lyman-Torres will take on that role effective January 3. Lyman-Torres has more than two decades of experience in advanced strategic leadership and community engagement, most recently as a commissioner with the city of Rochester, responsible for all recreation and human services programs and initiatives.  

Before working for the city, Lyman-Torres was a leader in area non-profits, serving as the chief operating officer of Trillium Health (formerly AIDS Care), and president and CEO of the Arc of Yates.  

“This is an exciting opportunity to be blazing a new era for the YMCA of Greater Rochester,” Lyman-Torres said. “The YMCA needs to have a seat at the table when evaluating impactful initiatives within the city. I am proud to have my voice and expertise at that table on behalf of the Y as the first person in this position, and eager to lead that change, working alongside the community and a dedicated team of staff serving the city of Rochester.” 

[email protected] / (585) 653-4021