February 26, 2021 – The SKY Family YMCA has announced that it has reached a management agreement with the Manatee YMCA. Gene T. Jones, President and CEO of The SKY Family YMCA, will lead both organizations' operations. "This agreement gives us an opportunity to strategically partner with the Manatee YMCA through shared resources and services. We will be able to advance the mission of the YMCA as we work together in the most efficient way possible," said Jones.
According to the Manatee YMCA Chair, Lisa DeVito, "This management agreement will allow these two Y's to open discussions on ways to be more efficient and more effective in providing services in our communities. With Gene's successes and YMCA Leadership, a management agreement simply made sense to us. "
Keith Farlow, Chair of The SKY Family YMCA, agreed. "Gene inspires confidence because he is steady in periods of growth and crisis. Since the onset of the pandemic, Gene has led with a consistent focus on the emerging needs of the children, families and seniors that we serve."
Everyone in the communities served by the YMCA has access to its programs through the YMCA Scholarship Fund. Regardless of their inability to pay, financial assistance is available due to community partners and donors' support.
"Our community and those we serve need our services more than ever," Jones added. "The economic, social and health effects of the pandemic continue to arise and the YMCA is a critical lifeline to those in our community as we work together to help individuals and our community recover and thrive."
YMCA services expand far beyond the walls of its wellness centers. The YMCA offers programs such as Early Learning, Before and After School Enrichment, summer camp, Safety Around Water and swim lessons, Health Innovations and more that allow the YMCA to serve individuals from all walks of life. The YMCA strengthens communities for kids, adults, seniors and families through programs that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
About The SKY Family YMCA
The SKY Family YMCA is a leading non-profit strengthening southwest Florida communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading non-profit committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they're from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y's goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across our communities of Bonita Springs, Englewood, Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Venice and now Manatee County. The SKY Family YMCA's 2020-2023 Strategic Plan charts a clear direction for the association and anchors the YMCA's efforts in three initiatives: sustainability, people, and community. Every day, we must rededicate ourselves to the mission and extend our legacy. This new partnership between The SKY Family YMCA and the Manatee YMCA aligns directly with The SKY Family YMCA’s Strategic Plan by building a collaborative partnership that supports the expansion of YMCA services to the communities we serve.