Page 10 - YMCA of the Triangle Annual Report 2018

“This is real change—an
example of what happens when
we put aside personal agendas
to work together to create
common ground and a place for
everybody. A place for all.”
–Dexter Hebert, Southeast Raleigh YMCA Executive Branch Director
ON THE CUSP OF REAL CHANGE IN SOUTHEAST RALEIGH
A few miles can seem a world away. Just two miles from the bustling core of Downtown Raleigh, 54% of residents in Southeast Raleigh live in poverty. More than 19% of children who live in Southeast Raleigh will fail to meet minimal school system benchmarks, and residents are expected to live 12 years less than if they lived in other parts of Wake County. Our YMCA is committed to changing those odds for everybody.
Six years ago, YMCA of the Triangle Board members, community leaders and neighbors encouraged our YMCA to provide opportunities for all in Southeast Raleigh and together, we dreamed bigger than a YMCA facility. They helped us identify a site, raised funds and challenged us to engage our neighbors and to expand programs and collectively broaden our impact.
Today, we’re building a Beacon Site in Southeast Raleigh at 1436 Rock Quarry Road that will be home to a YMCA and Wake County Public Elementary School, affordable housing and commercial space.
The school will serve nearly 500 students in grades pre-K – 5 and include a community kitchen. The YMCA will serve more than 8,000 in the community through Y programs and services. Swim lessons will be provided to students at the school as well as after school and summer camp participants at little to no cost. This site will be a hub for the community bringing partners together to holistically meet the needs of local residents.
The Southeast Raleigh Elementary School opens in August 2019. The Southeast Raleigh YMCA opens in September 2019.
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