Employee wellness has become an increasingly important topic in the workplace, as employers find such programs helping to lower overall operating expenses, often in the form of better performing workers, lower absenteeism and decreased health-care costs. Gerry Van DeMerwe, chief executive officer of the YMCA of Greater Erie, recently spoke to the Business Magazine about the mission of the Y and the benefits of promoting health and wellness initiatives.
The YMCA of Greater Erie has played an active role in the health and wellness of the community for the past 150 years. How has that role evolved?
The Y is a nonprofit like no other. For more than 150 years, we’ve been listening and responding to our community. With a mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all, our impact is felt when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child and when a community comes together for the common good. While we’ve always been about strengthening the foundations of community through programs that develop our kids, provide the means to a healthy lifestyle, and advocate social responsibility, we’ve dramatically changed the way that our employees, volunteers, members and community view the Y.
We’ve learned along our journey that many recognized the YMCA name. But very few knew what we stood for. And, most wildly underestimated the scope of our impact — an impact that extends well beyond our gyms and pools and into City of Erie parks, public housing neighborhoods, classrooms throughout Erie County and senior centers.
The Y isn’t just the name on our building. We’re a spirit, a movement and a cause. Members join us because they believe in us — and the values we stand for — caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children of all ages and from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community by nurturing the potential of kids and teens, improving our community’s health and fostering a sense of social responsibility.
Read more in the February 2014 Business Magazine.
