When Kristen McConnell was a little girl, her grandmother lived in a house along the town’s main thoroughfare. It had a screened-in front porch that became the neighborhood’s de facto gathering spot. When people walked by, they’d stop to say hello and maybe even sit on the swing to chat for a bit.
“That welcoming ‘front porch feel’ was what we wanted for this YMCA,” said McConnell, vice president of mission advancement at the YMCA of Muncie. “We wanted people to gather here for friendships and fellowship.”
The 70,000-square-foot facility opened in March and is a consolidation of two of their existing membership sites. The full-service YMCA includes the usual gym and swim offerings, but they also intentionally designed the space to be adaptable to community needs.
“We really wanted this to be a place for everyone in the community, so we designed the facility with that in mind,” McConnell said, noting they host an annual campaign to raise money ensuring everyone has access to the Y. “We try to remove any barriers, including financial ones, so that everyone can enjoy it.”
The facility attracts a diverse demographic united by shared goals of self-improvement and health. One result of the COVID-19 pandemic was a societal awakening to the need for connection.
“Everybody was isolated and lonely, and nobody wants to be like that anymore,” she said. “Here we foster a sense of belonging among our members.”
Seniors, in particular, are eager to connect, especially those who are retired or living alone.
“We have a fantastic senior group that comes to work out,” McConnell said. “Sometimes they go for lunch afterward or just sit and visit for a spell. But they know one another, and if you’re not here for your class, someone is going to miss you!”
The YMCA also features an area for teen engagement and a play-and-learn space for young children. It operates the city’s Tuhey Pool and, from June 9 to Aug. 1, provides free meals Monday through Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. for kids up to 18 years old.
In mid-June, the YMCA hosted a Healthy Kids Day party for children ages 3 to 14, distributing healthy snacks and holding a bicycle race, obstacle course, color run and face painting. Summer day camp for kindergartners through fifth graders is also available. While registration is full, a wait list is open. Onsite literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning and character development are incorporated into the programs.
For teens, a Workforce Development Program runs fall through spring after school. It trains youth from across the county and beyond to be job-ready. The statewide initiative expands and diversifies the YMCA’s talent pipeline by introducing young people to careers with the organization.
“We have different curriculum involved, but a lot centers around etiquette and customer service skills,” McConnell said. “We then employ those kids at our Y in various positions.”
A leader’s club and a youth leaders club also offer leadership development, character education, social-emotional learning and service-learning opportunities. During each session, the Y provides participants with a free hot meal.
“Our service area is in a food desert, so meals are a great draw,” McConnell said. “This way we know the kids are getting the nutrition they need.”
The YMCA partners with Thrive Credit Union to promote financial literacy and with the Tobacco Coalition to educate youth about the risks of smoking, drugs and vaping.
Teen Rec Nights for 11- to 13-year-olds are hosted occasionally. These events are free for members and $5 for nonmembers.
“It’s a chance to have additional engagement with mentors who are dedicated to building relationships with teens,” McConnell said. “Kids can participate in basketball, three-on-three knockout, a half-court shot contest and other activities. Or they can just hang out.”
To ensure they’re meeting teen interests, the Y has a rotating Teen Advisory Board, which serves in an advisory role similar to a board of directors.
“It’s one thing for me as a 40-year-old mom to say what I think these teens want to do,” McConnell said. “What they really want, however, may be something completely different.”
The YMCA is located at 315 E. Columbus Ave., Muncie, IN 47305. For more information, call 765-288-4448 or visit muncieymca.org.
