• Attend an event at your local branch
• Share your heritage or a favorite family recipe at potlucks and socials
• Add a pin to a world map to show where your family is from
• Post your experience using #WelcomingWeek2025 and #YMCACLE
• Invite a friend or neighbor to join you at the Y

Branch Activities

French Creek YMCA

• Integrated with Annual Campaign launch and Connect 2 a Cause Giving Week
• Daily “Say Welcome at the Y” greetings in Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Swahili, and Japanese displayed at the entrance
• Daily welcome greeting shared on social media
• Y selfie wall where members can post greetings in their heritage language using #WelcomingWeek and #C2CLorainCounty

Garrettsville Family YMCA

• Coffee and donuts
• Cupcakes and juice
• Food donations for the local food pantry

Geauga Family YMCA

• Flags from different countries displayed in the lobby and outside
• World map with push pins for members to mark their origins
• Tuesday, Sept 16: Lemonade Day
• Wednesday, Sept 17: Tea and Coffee Day
• Thursday, Sept 18: Ethnic Potluck Luncheon
• Friday, Sept 19: Sheet cake celebration in the lobby

Hillcrest Family YMCA

• Samples from local food businesses celebrating cultural diversity throughout the week
• Wednesday: Community luncheon
• No join fee for new members who enroll in the GEM program during Welcoming Week

Lakewood Family YMCA

• “Taste Around the World” member social with sweet and savory finger foods
• World map with pins for members to mark their origins
• Flags displayed representing many different countries

North Royalton Family YMCA

• Children in Pathways colored flags from different countries for a Welcoming Week display
• Open House (Saturday–Sunday, Sept 20–21) with free access to all amenities
• Free fitness assessments from 9–11 am both days and healthy refreshments

Parker Hannifin YMCA

• Journey Around the World theme celebrating global wellness
• Main poster featuring “Welcome to the Y” in multiple languages
• Facility decorated as continents with bulletin boards highlighting region-specific wellness (e.g., hiking in North America, tai chi in Asia)
• Interactive Passport to Wellness game where members collect stamps for a prize drawing
• Healthy snacks and drinks inspired by cultures around the world

Vermilion Family YMCA

• Monday, Sept 15: Bake sale
• Tuesday, Sept 16: Fresh fruit and spare change collection for the Annual Campaign
• Wednesday, Sept 17: Lunch outing to Wayside Inn with members and staff
• Friday, Sept 19: Donuts for members, donated by House of Donuts
• Food and hygiene drive all week benefiting First Baptist Church in Vermilion

Warrensville Heights Family YMCA

• Branch decorated for Welcoming Week
• World map activity where members place a sticker on their country of origin
• “Cake and Story Circle” where members share a welcoming word or short story before enjoying cake
• Preschool flag coloring activity with artwork displayed around the branch
• Integration with Jr. Cavs program activities
• Photos and stories shared on social media to highlight participation

West Park Family YMCA

• Community luncheon

West Shore Family YMCA

• Thursday, Sept 18, 11 am–1 pm: Member potluck. Free with a dish, $5 donation without. Proceeds benefit the Annual Campaign
• Basket raffle supporting the Annual Campaign. Baskets due by Sept 12. Tickets are $1
• Open house with vendors during the week
• Interactive map where members and staff can share their origins

Join Us September 12–21

Celebrate Welcoming Week at your local YMCA branch. Together, we can build a more connected and inclusive community.