Letter: 'Y' has new logo, but mission still the same

In this past month of July at the YMCA General Assembly in Salt Lake City, Y-USA launched a national branding campaign to better reflect the mission and effectiveness of the national movement. For the first time in 43 years, the YMCA of the USA unveiled a new brand strategy and visual identity. The goal is to make it easier for us to explain the positive impact our Y Movement has on the youth, families and adults we serve.

It is important to know that our mission statement and the national mission statement have not changed, with a consistent commitment to our Christian principles. In fact, living our Mission is more important than ever: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Our name remains the same: the Worthington Area YMCA. And we remain required to list our organization as the “Young Men’s Christian Association Inc.” on official corporate documents. But, for the first time, we will call ourselves by the name that most people already use: the Y. For all of us that use the old nickname, “the Y,” we are now officially OK!

There is an updated, forward-looking new logo for the national Y, created to reflect the vibrancy, diversity and heritage of our organization. The updated logo retains the triangle (symbolizing spirit, mind and body — fundamental elements of the Y). For the first time in many years, the new logo requires “YMCA” to be present in all treatments. This was not the case in our previous logo. This logo comes in several color combinations, fun colors that also reflect the variety of what we do and who we serve.

Often times, the public doesn’t see the cause behind our work; the “why” behind the Y. The new brand sets a framework around the areas where the Y has always been involved: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, all of which positions us to strengthen the foundations of community in America. Our programs are more than fun; they include our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility as youth follow the examples of their coaches and staff members and the many other volunteers. Families come together from area enjoying healthy activities at our new facility while growing closer together. And we partner with many groups, sharing in their good works and ours with them and assisting groups serving those with special needs. Hopefully, all return home strengthened by their experience at the Y.

In the coming months, you will see the new brand architecture phased in at our Y, but rest assured that we will remain true to our long standing values at the Worthington Area YMCA.

On behalf of all we serve, thank you for your time and continued commitment to this organization, “the Y”, and this great community.

Tags: worthington area ymca, opinion, letters, worthington, ymca