2024 Highlights
The YMCA of Greater Cleveland presented Cleveland State University with its Founder’s Award at its annual Founder’s Day event on June 6, 2024. This award is given to organizations or individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the YMCA.
To celebrate the YMCA of Greater Cleveland’s commitment to building strong communities for over 170 years—including educating residents, immigrants and those needing a second chance—stakeholders, volunteers and staff gathered at The Cleveland Club of Cleveland for the occasion.
Guests were invited to discover the Cleveland Y’s history of providing accessible educational initiatives—covering a wide range of subjects including reading, writing, arithmetic, and specialized trades—and the Y’s role in empowering individuals, promoting social mobility, and contributing to the economic growth of the City of Cleveland during the 19th century to the present day.
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Program Highlights
The program featured a welcome by YMCA of Greater Cleveland President and CEO Tim Hilk and a brief YMCA at a glance by Senior Vice President of Youth Development Natisha Bowling.
(photo of Tim speaking and photo of Natisha speaking)
YMCA of Greater Cleveland Board Vice Chair LaRese Purnell joined Tim Hilk in presenting the Founder’s Award to Cleveland State University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Nigamanth Sridhar.
(photo of Founder’s Day gift presentation to Dr. Sridhar with Tim and LaRese)
Cleveland State University was presented with the second Founder’s Day award in recognition of the over 60 years of collaboration between our YMCA and CSU that has continued to thrive, driven by our common goals. This enduring relationship has fostered an environment where education is accessible to all, particularly working adults seeking to improve their professional skills. The YMCA's historical commitment to education has seamlessly integrated with CSU's mission, creating a legacy of empowerment and social mobility for Cleveland's residents. Today, the partnership remains a testament to the Y’s and CSU’s shared vision of promoting lifelong learning and community development.
(Founder’s Day video for 2024)
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Community Impact Awards
Volunteers are the heart of our organization. Community Impact Awards were presented to over a dozen YMCA of Greater Cleveland volunteers from each of our branches and Y-Haven by Senior Vice President of Branch Operations Tiffany Foxx.
(photo of award winners – names are below – perhaps there is a photo in the Marketing file with the names identified to match the photo – if not the names are listed in alphabetical order of the branches)
Community Impact Award winners:
Roula Mokbel - French Creek Family YMCA, Iva Walker - Garrettsville Family YMCA, Trevor Robertson - Geauga Family YMCA, Larry Goldrick Sr. - Hillcrest Family YMCA, Anson Hall - Lakewood Family YMCA, Harmatiy Family - North Royalton Family YMCA, Captain Timothy Maffo-Judd - Parker Hannifin Downtown YMCA, Angela Matthews - Warrensville Heights Family YMCA, David Douglass - West Park-Fairview Family YMCA, Thomas and Judy Lin - West Shore Family YMCA, and Chris Reville - Y-Haven.