30 years of 'healthy'
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on September 14, 2014 10:24 AM
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Dr. Lee Adams, left, chats with YMCA staff member Christie Wiggins during the facility's 30th anniversary open house Saturday. Dr. Adams is a charter member of the YMCA and says its members are like family.
Dr. Lee Adams, 89, had a smile and hug for everyone Saturday morning as he walked into the Goldsboro Family YMCA. After all, the people he meets there are like family, he said as he paused for another hug.
And it is a large family. Over the past 30 years, the YMCA has grown from 800 to more than 10,000 members.
On Saturday, the facility opened its doors for a 30th anniversary open house so the community could see all that it has to offer within its walls as well as all of its outreach programs.
The festivities included an early morning three-mile fun run, a three-hour Zumbathon, pool inflatables and more.
There are also anniversary plans for a golf tournament, a drive to collect school supplies and 30 days of random acts of kindness.
Adams, a charter member, said he comes to the Y four or more times a week, normally in the morning.
"I like the head work," Adams said. "I think it is as good for the head as it is the body. I usually do yoga. I did tai chi. I was just talking to Ed Borden a few minutes ago. We said if anybody thinks about coming to Goldsboro, bring them to the Y first thing and show them what we've got. It is wonderful, wonderful place.
"I think it is one of the best things that Wayne County's got because so many people, it doesn't matter who they are, are welcome."
Mike Haney, who was cooling off after his morning workout, agreed.
"I think back, I guess 30 years ago, I remember coming out here and seeing a big hole in the ground," said Haney, vice president of the Wayne Economic Development Alliance. "I was a charter member. Looking back, I remember what it meant to me and my family. It was a place to work out, but my kids grew up here in the Y. They went to Y day camp and as a result they turned out very well. The Y with the value system it has, it really meant a lot to myself and my family."
The YMCA is staffed by good, solid people whose mission is just something everyone can get onboard with, he said.
"One of the neat things is over on Harding (Drive) is their sports field. You can see the impact the Y has when you drive down there on a Saturday in soccer season. It is awesome to see all of the families, not just the kids, but families out there supporting them."
CEO John Richards joined the YMCA staff in 1986, when it had about 800 members and a budget of about $250,000. Today it boasts more than 10,000 members and a budget approaching $3 million.
However, the values and family-like atmosphere have not changed, he said.
"But the biggest tell is the impact that we have had on our members," Richards said. "Our senior population is probably the lifeblood of the Y. A number of folks who have lost a spouse have met a new significant other here. Those folks, when they have that loss, we have such a good network of our seniors, it is a support group that manages itself. They go out to lunch once a month, celebrate birthdays.
"They have taken what we do as our Y family out into the community."
The other thing is that the makeup of the Y is almost identical to the county's diverse demographics, he said.
"I don't know of too many places in Goldsboro where everybody comes together," he said. "This is the one place where it doesn't matter the color of your skin. It is not just racial diversity, it is financial diversity. We have about 35 percent of our members who are on some sort of financial assistance, but when you walk through that front door, you don't know who it is.
"We could have the richest man in Goldsboro standing right next to the poorest person in Goldsboro, and they see each other as equals. Once you walk through these door you are a Y member. It doesn't matter what you have. It is just nice to have a place people can come. We welcome all."
Kriquette Davis, associate director, has been with the Y for 26 years.
"One of things that we do that lot of people don't know is that we offer financial assistance for everything," she said. "We don't turn anybody away for inability to pay."
It is rare that the Y parking lot isn't full, but while there are plenty of programs at the Y, over the past several years it has focused on more community outreach and collaborations with community service groups and churches.
"We are trying to make sure that everybody knows we are just not contained within four walls," she said. "Having a great place to work out is very important, but it is the impact that we have on the community. We just try to be a good partner with anyone, Scouts, Boys and Girls Club."
Future plans include trying to do more outside the walls, she said.
There have not been any discussions about any facility expansion.
"We are one of the largest YMCAs on the East Coast," she said. "It is a thing that people who are here don't realize what a gem this Y is. We have a lot to offer.
"We want to focus on doing what we do and doing it well and growing where we can."