The Y Receives Over $170,000 in State-Funded Grants to Support Inclusivity
Stingrays Adaptive Swim Team and Y School-Age Care to Benefit
EVERETT, WA. December 6, 2023 – The YMCA of Snohomish is the proud recipient of two substantial grants from the State of Washington, a testament to the Y’s commitment to fostering community growth and enhancing the lives of its diverse members.
Empowering Athletes with Diverse Abilities: Stingrays Swim Team Grant
Due to their dedication to uplifting and helping others, the Mukilteo Family YMCA was honored with a $79,111 grant from Washington’s Department of Social & Human Services. This grant is directed towards supporting the Stingrays Adaptive Swim Team, a program that provides athletes with diverse abilities the opportunity to engage in swimming as a sport. Through practices and competitions with Special Olympics Washington, the Stingrays staff and volunteers teach athletes physical training and stroke technique, as well as promote Y core values. Funds will be used to cover equipment costs, meet support, and participant entry fees.
“This funding is a gamechanger for the Stingrays Swim Team,” said Cynthia Kelly, Executive Director at the Mukilteo Family YMCA. “It enables us to continue fostering inclusivity, promoting physical wellbeing, and instilling values that extend far beyond the pool.”
Nurturing Inclusive Learning Environments: Child Care Equity Grant
The Y secured a $94,450 grant from Washington’s Department of Children, Youth & Families that will help ensure culturally-responsive programming through training and a new position that will support YMCA of Snohomish County’s Heatherwood Early Childhood Education Center. This grant is dedicated to the hiring of a Family Support Specialist who will play a pivotal role in creating an environment within child care programs free of bias, where children can learn to appreciate and respect uniqueness and differences.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to enhance our child care programs and promote an environment where every child in our care feels valued and respected,” said Megan Proost, Director of Child Care Advancement at the YMCA of Snohomish County. “This funding will help us lay the foundation for a future generation that embraces diversity and leads with empathy.”
These grants will allow the Y to further develop instrumental programs that reflect the organization’s ongoing commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community. To learn more about the Stingrays Adaptive Swim Team or YMCA Child Care, please visit ymca-snoco.org.
