Champions of Change

Champions of Change: Ymca

For more than 40 years, Peggy Brown has taught and worked with generations of children and families to promote early childhood education. Peggy's hard work and dedication has made a difference in...

To address the educational needs of the growing number of migrant farm workers in his rural community, Greg Coop, chose launched an early learning readiness program geared toward supporting...

A 28-year veteran of the YMCA, Mike DeVaul is recognized for his community building and diversity work as well as his leadership in supporting the Charlotte Y’s global partners in Senegal, Gambia...

Julie Gehrki and the Walmart Foundation serve as a driving force behind initiatives to end food insecurity nationwide. As a champion for solving hunger issues, Julie was instrumental in seeing the...

As president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), Risa Lavizzo-Mourey is a leader in addressing the nation’s most pressing health and health care issues. Under her leadership,...

Scott Menzel is an advocate for the Y and its Healthy Eating and Physical Activity programs. His support of YMCA healthy eating and physical activity programs offered afterschool and during the...

Alan Hostrup works tirelessly to ensure that every young person has access to YMCA Youth & Government – what he considers a life-changing experience. Alan has a long history with California...

At the Wilson-Gray Y, JoAnn has helped to develop a truly remarkable Youth Achievers Program, helping youngsters grades five through 12 develop life skills and achieve key educational goals...

As a Y volunteer and founder and leader of the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, John Urban brings vision and leadership to efforts that improve the health of the Rochester community. Through...

Dr. William “Bill” Lee is a renowned cardiologist who has shaped one of the most successful programs in the YMCA through his belief that helping new arrivals succeed will be repaid many times over...

Closely aligned with the White House “Joining Forces” initiative, Operation Kid Comfort is a nationwide, grass roots effort to provide handmade quilts to the children of deployed Moms and Dads....

The Seattle Y’s Youth Violence Prevention Initiative is a partnership with the City of Seattle, the YMCA of a Greater Seattle’s Alive and Free Street Outreach Program, A Better Seattle, law...