At the Eighth Annual Center for Community Impact Celebration, the YMCA’s Center for Community Impact (CCI) named Greentrike their Partner of the Year. This year’s celebration honors the longstanding partnership of the YMCA and Greentrike. The Partner of the Year Award is a result of the two organizations’ work to deliver impactful programming for students in Tacoma and in the Franklin Pierce School District. Hosted by the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap County, this annual event recognizes the excellence of young leaders, mentors, and community partners who are making a difference throughout Pierce County.
“Together with the YMCA, we’ve built a partnership based on a mutual commitment to young people and families across Pierce County,” said Greentrike Associate Director of Youth Learning Bernie Rhoades. “Whether it’s Beyond the Bell, Club B, or Summer Teen Late Night, we’ve seen the power of partnership when organizations come together in service of youth.”
Greentrike supports these programs by sourcing, screening, and placing Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) providers at partner locations, managing logistics, and convening partners. These efforts help ensure every child and teen can access safe, supportive, and meaningful activities outside the school day.
“We held 15 programs in Beyond the Bell, supported four YMCA-led Club B sites, and served over 300 youth at five YMCA Summer Teen Late Night sites,” said Bernie. “This year, we started an expanded learning Late Night service to the Franklin Pierce School District. Our first year of programming in FPSD could not have been possible without our strong existing partnerships and relationships.”
The YMCA’s CCI has been delivering life-changing services to youth across Pierce and Kitsap Counties for over 15 years. The organization reaches teens in underserved and under-resourced communities through high-quality programs and caring adult mentors, meeting young people where they are, and helping them take meaningful steps toward their full potential.
“Greentrike has been more than a program planning provider,” Said Vincent Barron, senior program director, YMCA Center for Community Impact. “They’ve been a true ally when we develop programs. Whether they’re leading things on science activities, guiding a creative art project, or just listening to the ideas of young people. Their intentional coordination helps ensure that no site is left out, and that every student has access to a meaningful enrichment experience.”
Greentrike is honored to be named as the YMCA’s Partner of the Year and grateful for the YMCA’s unwavering commitment to young people, and looks forward to fostering this vital partnership in the years to come.
