YMCA to transfer ownership of West operation
By Nicole Lark
Dayton Daily News
The YMCA of Greater Dayton plans to transfer ownership of its West YMCA operation in a collaborative effort with a local church that officials say will better address the needs of urban residents.
The West YMCA, 4415 Dayton Liberty Road, will continue to be staffed by YMCA employees but the ownership will transfer by September to Dixon United Methodist Church.
The site will be owned by the church, but will be operated in collaboration with West YMCA Executive Director Steve Gill and President and CEO of Greater Dayton Tim Helm.
This isn't the first instance of YMCA facilities working closely with churches. Similar situations include the Southwest Church in Springboro, which rents space in the Coffman YMCA, and the Salem Avenue Church of God, which rents space to the Kleptz YMCA in Englewood.
Officials hope the effort will develop into what will be dubbed Neighborhood Development Centers. The centers will offer the same sports programs found in typical YMCA facilities, but will also include tutoring, arts, drama and computer programs geared toward urban youngsters.
"We're planning on these centers being more program based, and less facility (based)," Helm said. "We're working on a 'family life center,' " Helm said. "Each center will offer something different depending on the neighborhood."
Ultimately, the YMCA would like to establish six such centers in the Dayton area. It's hoped that two additional centers will open this fall. It's likely they'll be based in a church or school.
Helm's idea for programming works in conjunction with what Dixon Pastor Bob Biekman refers to as a "wellness and worship center."
"Our mission is 'reaching out and raising up,' " Biekman said. "That's all in accordance with the Christian basis of the YMCA."
Programs unique to the West YMCA Neighborhood Development Center will include a "grief share" program to help those members dealing with loss, a "worshiping community" to offer church services, a "rights of passage" group for young men in middle school, and a financial recovery program.
With respect to the needs of the community, YMCA membership will not be required to participate in the programs. Some may be fee based, however.
The West YMCA has a long history. New Year's Day in 1928 marked the opening of the West Fifth Street Y branch. In 1975, after 47 years of service to the black community, the doors closed. In 1978, the YMCA reopened with a new name and a new location in Jefferson Twp. A 75th anniversary celebration was held in 2003.