Why For All?
As is stated in the first paragraph of our Y For All webpage, the Mission of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties is incomplete without the commitment to creating better communities through diversity, inclusion and global engagement. Why is this so? Why does the YMCA envision success promoting “healthy living, youth development and social responsibility” via investment in diversity and inclusion?
The litmus of a strong, or positive, community is its capacity to “inspire their members in ways that promote a sense of self-discovery and group connection, encourage members to express their beliefs and values and build relationships with others.” [1] YMCAs not only serve communities (in our preschools, branches and programs), but also create community within our facilities and programs. It is within these two overlapping contexts of community, as well as the community of staff working at our association, that inclusive values and opportunities, coupled with diversity of cultures and perspectives, fosters strength and positivity for the individuals and families who participate.
“The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital.” - Mark Hyman, M.D., author and family physician.
Welcoming diversity of culture, ethnicity, religion, language and perspective into branches and programs allows the YMCA to create communities where people feel they can belong and have a voice, fostering creativity, novel discussion, and the sharing of commonality among members. Considering the times we live in, and the ways that social and mass media tend to lure individuals to singular perspectives and beliefs, it could be that the YMCA is one of the only places where individuals from different backgrounds and beliefs can find commonality. More often than not, that commonality exists, but sometimes can only be revealed when a common interest, such as wellness or child care, brings us together.
Research shows that communities welcoming diversity (culture, religion, ethnicity and language) have a positive impact on the socio-economic, human development of all the individuals therein, not just the downtrodden, including health, education and income.[2] It is not difficult, therefore, to see the important impact our YMCA makes to reduce poverty, hunger and depression in the communities we serve as a result of our values of diversity and inclusion.
When we share common space, goals and interests in an inclusive environment such as the Y, we increase our opportunities to be seen and heard together, leading to feelings of belonging and support, and health and wellness, for all.
[1] Celestine, Nicole, Ph.D., Nov. 25, 2016, 10 Traits That Make A Positive Community, www.positivepsychology.com, https://positivepsychology.com/10-traits-positive-community/
[2] VanAlstine, Cox and Roden Cultural Diversity and Human Development in the U.S., Journal of the Indiana Academy of the Social Sciences, Vol. 18 (2015)