YMCA: More than gym and swim

The  YMCAs of Northwest Florida—once called the YMCAs of Greater Pensacola—can trace its roots to as far back as 1881 in the Pensacola area.

The local YMCA Association, which includes the counties of Escambia and Santa Rosa, boasts  three distinct branches—Northeast and Downtown (in Pensacola) and Betty J. Pullum (Navarre).  While locally autonomous with local boards of directors and staff, each YMCA Association is under the YMCA of the USA auspices, with headquarters in Chicago, Ill.

Beginning in 2009, the YMCA of the USA began to look at a new brand strategy. The strategy includes a more forward-thinking logo that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the organization and a framework that focuses on three core areas: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The nonprofit also will be called “the Y” to align with how people most commonly refer to the organization.

“The new brand strategy will give us a chance to re-focus within our community the three core areas (youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility),” explained Dottie Thomas, Navarre branch director. “ While our local branch has focused in on these areas since our inception in 1997, the re-branding will allow us to rededicate ourselves to them, internally with staff and volunteers and with the Navarre community in general. The Y wants to be viewed as not just a ‘gym and swim’ facility.’”

For more on this story, see the June 16 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.