Plymouth YMCA looking for new board members in this area

With a 56-year history of supporting Plymouth and its surrounding communities, the Plymouth Family YMCA is looking for board members who are interested in furthering its commitment to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Although residents of Belleville, Van Buren, and Sumpter may not be aware, the Plymouth Y serves western Wayne County, and has been an active part of their communities for the past four years and continues to look for ways to expand its presence.
“We are looking for people who reflect all segments of our community, young and old, various personal and professional skills, all religions and ethnic backgrounds, and people of color,” said Executive Director Sage Hegdal. “We also want representation from all our service areas, which includes Belleville and Sumpter and Van Buren townships.
“Typically, the YMCA is known for helping young people grow through athletics and camps, but we also create the opportunity for everyone in our community to live healthier lives,” said Hegdal. “This is why it is important that our board is a reflection of the people and communities we serve, including Belleville, Sumpter, and Van Buren.”
Belleville resident Scott Russell has been a YMCA board member for four years and has served as the Plymouth Family YMCA board chairperson for two years.
“I have always made an effort to be a community-minded and service-driven person,” said Russell. “I believe part of my role with the Y is to create awareness that the Y is here to serve the Belleville Sumpter Township and Van Buren Township communities, although the name of our Y may sometimes be deceiving.
“The YMCA has been running sports clinics at Keystone Academy, offers both Girls on the Run and Stride programs, and the Y is always looking for new ways to connect here.”
Girls on the Run and Stride are ten-week programs for children in third to fifth grade, providing lessons on positive emotional, social, mental, and physical development.
While some board members connect with the Y because of a general sense of community, others have a specific purpose in mind.
“I joined the Y board because I wanted to set direction for youth programs, specifically Adventure Guides,” said board member Jeremiah Beebe. “The program has helped my two children make friends and have experiences that they and I will always treasure.”
Adventure Guides is a parent-child program designed to strengthen relationships through exploring fun activities, participating in learning experiences, and developing mutual understanding.
Larger activities or “Expeditions” include campouts, parties, or charitable work. Beebe admits it was his soft spot for Adventure Guides that led him to the Y board three years ago, and it became the impetus for him wanting to do more.
“When you are part of an impactful program, you want to share it with everyone and the best way to do this is to own it through involvement,” Beebe said. “I see being part of the YMCA as an opportunity to be part of positive engagement in the community.”
Hegdal said, “The YMCA has an incredible opportunity to increase our positive influence on the people we connect with in all the communities we serve. Adding new board members who share our community-centered vision will help us continue to do that.”
If you interested in becoming a board member, or want to find out more about what the YMCA is doing in the community, call the Plymouth Family YMCA office at (734) 453-2904.