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2010 SESSION

10105821D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 469
Offered March 8, 2010
Commending the North Richmond YMCA of Greater Richmond.
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Patrons-- McClellan, Carr and McQuinn
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WHEREAS, the Leigh Street YMCA, the precursor of the North Richmond YMCA of Greater Richmond, held a special place in Richmond's African American community when it opened in 1887; and

WHEREAS, founded as the Richmond Colored Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), the newly formed group met for the first time on November 11, 1887, at Ebenezer Baptist Church located on West Leigh Street; and

WHEREAS, the Leigh Street YMCA served the community as an educational center, a site for religious instruction, and a gathering place for social events; and

WHEREAS, the Reverend Milton Waldron became the inspirational leader and first executive director of the YMCA, and he and other leaders served as role models and mentors for hundreds of young men; and

WHEREAS, in 1889 Pastor Waldron and other generous supporters raised the funds to make a down payment on the YMCA building located at Third and Leigh Streets, which would serve as the organization’s home for the next 80 years; and

WHEREAS, in 1894 the Reverend Scott C. Burrell was hired as full-time chief executive, and he served the YMCA with distinction for over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, the Leigh Street YMCA continued to grow and expand its services to meet the needs of the community, such as establishing the Binga Gymnasium on St. Paul Street in Gilpin Court, opening Camp Barco for children at a site in Chesterfield County, and offering a variety of other popular and vital programs in the area to help improve the quality of life in the City of Richmond; and

WHEREAS, in the 1970s, a new, modern YMCA was opened on Old Brook Road, which has become a community center open to all people, where spirit, mind, and body may be developed through programs built on Christian principles; and

WHEREAS, today, the North Richmond YMCA serves nearly 2,000 members and educates and mentors 103 preschoolers, 100 afterschool children, 180 summer campers, and 300 teens; and

WHEREAS, as an integral part of the YMCA of Greater Richmond, the North Richmond YMCA offers computer tools and fitness techniques, an indoor pool with programs for all ages, and wellness instruction, as well as a preschool and teen center, which received national accreditation in August 2009; and

WHEREAS, a dynamic partner with the community, the North Richmond YMCA of Greater Richmond collaborates with area schools, churches, nonprofits, and local businesses to provide quality programs to the community, but continues the tradition of personal service and compassion that made the Leigh Street YMCA a special place for members and their families; and

WHEREAS, the North Richmond YMCA of Greater Richmond has set a vision for 2015 that will motivate the organization’s future development, stating “the life of every person in our community will be enhanced by a YMCA experience rich in developmental assets”; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the North Richmond YMCA on its over 120 years of outstanding service to the people of Richmond and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the North Richmond YMCA as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude to the organization for its many accomplishments and best wishes for continued success.