Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area club president Juan Aybar (left) welcomes guest speaker and club member Jessica Penney, executive director of the Lake Houston Family YMCA. Ms. Penney spoke to club members and guests and explained the many community programs provided by the YMCA. “The YMCA impacts about 6,500 families in the Lake Houston area,” she said. Each year, the Lake Houston Family YMCA raises funds to ensure they can continue to strengthen the community through programs focused on preventing chronic disease, eliminating drownings and improving the academic performance of our youth.“
“The YMCA impacts about 6,500 families in the Lake Houston area,” according to Jessica Penney, executive director of the Lake Houston Family YMCA. She spoke recently to Lake Houston Rotarians at their weekly Wednesday luncheon about the programs the “Y” provides to the community.
She pointed out that the YMCA has been committed to the greater Lake Houston community for nearly 40 years. Ms. Penney added they provide quality programs, available to everyone regardless of age, religion, or social economic background.
Each year, the Lake Houston Family YMCA raises funds to ensure they can continue to strengthen the community through programs focused on preventing chronic disease, eliminating drownings and improving the academic performance of our youth.“
It’s because of the support of organizations like Rotary that we are able to offer opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive,” she explained. She also pointed out that “100% of our annual campaign goes directly back to our community”.
Ms. Penney said the mission of the Y is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome.
The Y’s programs include providing 900 children at 32 area school sites a safe, fun, and enriching after school care.
Jessica Penney, executive director of the Lake Houston Family YMCA, speaks to Lake Houston Rotarians about the importance of the Y's programs, especially for children. “Schools desperately need the support we offer,” she said.
Thousands of kids and adults have learned life-saving skills of safety around water through the Y. In 2023, they provided $4,233 in financial assistance for their Safe Around Water (SAW) programs and $6,744 in scholarships for day camp.
Children of all ages receive support from the Y. There are over 75 local teens having fun, learning responsibility and life skills, and participating in local government.
In 2023, 185 All-Stars took the field to play Miracle League baseball at the Insperity Adaptive Sports Complex located at The Groves in Atascocita. The Insperity Adaptive Sports Complex provides children with disabilities and special needs a barrier-free environment to play and participate in team sports. It features two multipurpose fields, a covered pavilion, activity space and small rooms for quiet spaces.
Operation Backpack fills a critical need in providing school supplies for children in need as they start the new school year. Ms. Penney said the goal for the Lake Houston Family YMCA is to provide 4,000 backpacks to local children this year. This program is a part of the greater Houston area's 22 YMCAs to provide backpacks and school supplies to help children as they start the new school year.
Ms. Penney shared the Y’s slogan, it’s “Not a place but a purpose” and thanked Rotary for its support.
Rotary Club of Lake Houston Area members and guests meet at 11:45 a.m. most Wednesdays for their weekly lunch meeting at the Lake Houston Family YMCA, 2420 West Lake Houston Pkwy. in Kingwood. Visitors wishing to learn more about Rotary are welcome.
The Summer Creek Satellite Rotary Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 8:30 a.m., at Generation Park 3rd floor Nimble Office Suite, 250 Assay St., Houston.
For more information about Rotary or membership, visit www.LHARotary.com or search for our Facebook page @LakeHoustonAreaRotary.
The Summer Creek Satellite Rotary Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 8:30 a.m., at Generation Park 3rd floor Nimble Office Suite, 250 Assay St., Houston.
For more information about Rotary or membership, visit www.LHARotary.com or search for our Facebook page @LakeHoustonAreaRotary.