• Subscribe
  • E-Newsletter
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Login
Community Rec
  • Topics
    • Community
    • Facility Development
    • Programming
    • Operations
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Continuing Education
    • Community Rec Leadership Summit
    • Webinars
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
    • Case Studies
  • Podcast
  • Buyer’s Guide
No Result
View All Result
  • Topics
    • Community
    • Facility Development
    • Programming
    • Operations
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Continuing Education
    • Community Rec Leadership Summit
    • Webinars
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
    • Case Studies
  • Podcast
  • Buyer’s Guide
No Result
View All Result
Community Rec
No Result
View All Result
Home Operations & Facilities Leadership

Stop, Collaborate and Listen

Bobby Dyer by Bobby Dyer
May 16, 2019
in Leadership, Operations & Facilities
0
collaboration
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Collaboration is an essential component to community recreation. Existing in the nonprofit sector, YMCAs, JCCs and community rec centers rely heavily upon local partnerships to provide many of their programs and services.

“There is no one agency alone that can address some of the most critical social issues in our communities,” said Jarrett Royster, the executive vice president of operations at the YMCA of Greater Boston. “Therefore, there is a great need for broad-scale collaboration in the community.”

Through sponsorships from local organizations, the Boston Y is able to deliver a wide array of services that extend beyond just fitness and, in line with its mission, give financial aid to members who need it. In fact, Royster considers these partnerships necessary to his organization’s mission.

“Children and families are in need of comprehensives services,” said Royster. “Our mission calls for us to raise philanthropic dollars that allow us to reduce rates of programs, provide scholarships and provide access to those who need us the most.”

For the YMCA of Greater Louisville, local collaboration has opened up several doors for a variety of aquatics programs, and services centered on social and emotional development.

“We have a large ‘Safety Around Water’ program where we partner with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) to use the pool at a local high school and provide free swim lessons to children who would otherwise not have that opportunity,” said Becky Gamm, the senior vice president of program development and operations at the Louisville Y.

The Louisville Y’s partnership with JCPS has yielded several other beneficial programs, particularly in the areas of academic success and social learning for children.

“Part of our niche is in the area of social and emotional learning,” said Gamm. “As we met with the JCPS leaders, they said they wanted our help with social and emotional learning for the kids — how to resolve conflict, get along with others, make friends and wait for a turn, for example.”

So if you have a vision for a new program or service that might not seem feasible at the moment, it’s worth exploring your community partnership options. Chances are you will be able to forge a good relationship with a local organization whose values align with your own, and begin work on a new project to benefit the community.

According to Royster, seeking out local collaboration is essential for community recreation to continue changing lives. “The not-for-profit sector should always be figuring out better ways to collaborate,” he said. “Not only do we need to figure out how to collaborate, I believe the sector can benefit from merging for different programs.”

Stay up to date on industry trends, best practices, news and more.

Tags: collaborationCommunity healthCommunity Reccommunity recreationfeaturedleadershippartnerpartnershipsYMCA of Greater BostonYMCA of Greater Louisville
Previous Post

Evolution

Next Post

Supreme Audio Delivers Quality Products and Service to the Richmond YMCA

Bobby Dyer

Bobby Dyer

Bobby is the former editor of Community Rec Magazine.

Related Posts

YMCA of Western North Carolina
Leadership

YMCA of Western North Carolina President and CEO Paul Vest to Retire

July 10, 2025
AI
Column

AI Policy as a Path to Innovation: A Human-First Approach

June 25, 2025
AI for community recreation
Marketing & Sales

Beyond Buzzwords: How ROR Helps Rec Centers Harness AI for Community Impact

June 18, 2025
Data
Column

Making Data Human: Teaching Your Team to Use Metrics That Motivate

June 18, 2025
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Leadership

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Names Adam Alonso as Next President and CEO

June 10, 2025
Diversifying Funding
Operations & Facilities

Episode 18: Diversifying Funding With Peter DeGregorio

April 7, 2025
Next Post
Supreme Audio

Supreme Audio Delivers Quality Products and Service to the Richmond YMCA

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Exposure Guide + Media Kit

July/August 2025 Issue

Get Updates in your inbox

Stay up to date on industry trends, best practices, news and more.

Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn

Contact us at info@communityrecmag.com

  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • E-Newsletter
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us

The Current Issue

The Latest from CO

  • Bath Area Family YMCA Names Amy Vendt as New CEO
  • Getting the Most Out of Recovery in Community Rec
  • YMCA of Western North Carolina President and CEO Paul Vest to Retire
  • Future Energy Solutions Installs No Upfront Cost LED System at Family YMCA of Lancaster & Fairfield County

© 2025 Community Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Topics
    • Community
    • Facility Development
    • Programming
    • Operations
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • E-Newsletter
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
  • On-Demand
  • Continuing Education
    • Community Rec Leadership Summit
    • Webinars
    • Pickleball Innovators
  • Supplier Insights
    • Brand Voice
    • Supplier News
    • Supplier Voice
    • Case Studies
  • Podcast
  • Buyer’s Guide

© 2025 Community Rec Magazine. Published by Peake Media.