YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth

YMCA in the News

YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth Youth Day Camps Return to Downtown Fort Worth

FORT WORTH, Texas (February 17, 2023)

The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is bringing Spring Break and summer day camps back to the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown location in 2023.

“The reopening process of our day camp programs was intentional,” shared Holli Winn, vice president of programs at the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth. “Following the pandemic closures of 2020, we were thoughtful in our re-opening strategies to be sure we could hire and support the staff while ensuring the day camp programs were safe and provided a top-quality experience. As we moved into summer 2023 planning, we were excited to implement the reopening of programs for those families working and living in downtown Fort Worth,” she added.

Thanks to a new renovation of key sections in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown YMCA, the day camp will have a dedicated space for program activities. In addition to day camp favorites of weekly field trips, swimming and access to the full basketball gym for large group activities, campers at the Downtown Y location will also get to experience healthy cooking demonstrations, yoga and virtual group exercise classes.

“This was important for us to show up for our working families,” explained Emilie Shiffler, executive director of association child care. “Working and living in and near downtown does not offer families with school age children a lot of enrichment options. We know the quality experience our YMCA Adventure Day Camps provide and we are excited to bring a full-service and enriching summer experience to all.”
YMCA day camps are open to the everyone and members receive preferred pricing. The YMCA accepts CCMS scholarships and offers multiple discounts and financial assistance. “Price should never be a barrier to families who need care,” added Shiffler.

Registration for Spring Break and summer Adventure Day Camp are now open online.
YMCA day camps are hosted at all YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth locations plus two Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD schools and are open to boys and girls ages 5 – 13 years old. For more information and specifics on ages and activities, or to register, visit ymcafw.org/summer-day-camp or call 817-338-1238.

Previous Press Releases

SWIM WEEK WITH NBC5

Drowning is the second leading cause of death of preschoolers, second only to birth defects. That statistic, along with so many other sobering ones, makes the Y want to do even more to increase awareness and education.

Each year on the week leading up to Memorial Day, the Y participates in Water Safety Week to promote water safety awareness and share tips to better educate our communities as we head into summer.

In partnership with NBC5, you can learn more about Swim Week below:

YMCA KICKS OFF SUMMER WITH ANNUAL HEALTHY KIDS DAY

[FORT WORTH, APRIL 27, 2022] — The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® on Saturday, April 30th encouraging families to take a moment to help kids be kids and set them up for a summer of success. Sponsored by Howard Johnson® by Wyndham, the event will feature activities such as games, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, and competitions to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home.

“At the Y, we believe in the potential of all children and each day we work to help kids find that potential within themselves,” said Mike Brown, YMCA President & CEO. “Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community-wide event to kick off summer and remind us all how important it is for kids to stay active physically and mentally throughout the summer.”

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022, Healthy Kids Day is the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. The Y hopes to use the day to get more kids moving and learning, creating healthy habits they can continue while they’re away from the classroom. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than during the school year. With all that’s going on in the world right now, Healthy Kids Day is a reminder to families that we can help ensure all children have access to what they need to reach their full potential, even during out-of-school time.

Keeping Kids Healthy All Summer Long

In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits this summer that can have a lifetime effect:

High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings of fruits and veggies each day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend for healthy childhood development. And to keep kids’ taste buds evolving, have everyone in the family try at least one bite of a new fruit or vegetable at least once a month.
Read Together – The summer is a great time to enjoy books with summer program participants—and 30 minutes a day goes a long way! Take trips to the local library or create a family reading challenge to see who can log the most minutes of reading. Encourage youth to create their own stories as well.
Get Moving! – Activities that require movement also help kids flex their mental muscle. Use materials in unique ways: ask youth to build models, manipulate tools or develop their own theatrical scenes.
Play Together – Play may be the best way to prevent childhood obesity. By putting more play into your family’s day, you will soon find yourself getting the activity that will have your family feeling energized and strong.
Make sleep a priority – Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, and learning.

The YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at seven locations across our greater Fort Worth service area with some beginning at 10 am. Activities will vary but all will feature fun, active play and educational activities. Visit https://ymcafw.org/events/healthy-kids-day for locations, times and activities.

For more information, contact Teri McGuill at 817 966 8884 or visit https://ymcafw.org/events/healthy-kids-day

TROT FOR ALL AT THE FORT WORTH YMCA TURKEY TROT

Thanksgiving Day Race in its 40th Year

FORT WORTH – For the 40th year, individuals converged on Camp Bowie Boulevard Thanksgiving morning for the Moritz Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot. The Turkey Trot included a 5K race, 10K race and 1K Gobbler Trot for all ages.

New this year was Trot For All. In partnership with Blue Zones Project, a local well-being initiative, the YMCA made the Turkey Trot accessible to all, regardless of financial barriers. The generous support of Blue Zones Project underwrote free participation for 500 individuals to run/walk in the Trot this year

“The mission of Blue Zones Project is to make healthy choices more accessible for everyone in Fort Worth,” said Matt Dufrene, vice president of Blue Zones Project Fort Worth. “Our support of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth through the Turkey Trot ‘Trot for All’ program is the perfect way to make healthy choices more accessible, while also promoting other Blue Zones principals like putting family first, strengthening social connections, and obviously, moving naturally. We can’t imagine a better community collaboration than with the YMCA and Trot For All.”

Alicia is one of those Fort Worth residents who wouldn’t have been able to participate in this family tradition if not for this new partnership. “Although I am a two-time Iraq disabled army veteran, I am not financially able to pay at this time for myself and children, two fifth graders and one eight grader, but we wanted to do something meaningful this year,” said Alicia. “This will be a healthy start of a prayerful new Thanksgiving tradition for our family as we continue to grieve the loss my mother. Trot For All made this possible!”

To celebrate the 40th year, the Y created the Turkey Trot Hall of Fame to recognize loyal runners, event volunteer leaders, community supporters and former event winners. Among those honorees are former mayor Betsy Price, Scott Murray, Moritz Dealerships and Luke’s Locker.

“I am excited to be in Fort Worth and am excited to see how much the community came out this year to support our YMCA,” said Mike Brown, new President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth. “With more than 7,500 people involved, the YMCA will receive direct support of over $150,000. This is a unique family tradition hosted by the YMCA for the past 40 years and I am honored to be a part of it.”

Proceeds from the Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot support the Y’s diverse programming including childcare, water safety lessons, summer camp, youth sports, health programs, senior engagement, food insecurity and more. No matter where you Trot with us, you’re helping the Y continue to provide opportunities and access for all. This allows the Y to say “Yes!” to those wishing to participate in its programs who otherwise would not be able to participate.

To find out more about the 2021 Moritz Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot visit the race’s website at www.fwtrot.org.

FORT WORTH YMCA PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE GANGS OF FORT WORTH AGAIN IN APRIL 2021

Fort Worth, Texas – Thursday, April 7 2021 — The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is again partnering with the Bike Gangs of Fort Worth to provide free bicycle repairs (called rehabs) to children and families on Saturday, April 10^th from 9 am to 1 pm in the parking lot of the William M. McDonald YMCA located at 2701 Moresby, Fort Worth, TX 76105.

The 100-bike rehab event, in collaboration with Bike Gangs of Fort Worth, is open to the community and seeking volunteers to set up in separate stations, socially distanced, to rehab at least 100 bikes to get back into the community to encourage children and families to ride bikes and get out and move naturally. To register to adopt a bike for your family or to volunteer for Saturday’s event, sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0e48a5ab22abf85-100bike

“The goal of this event is to make-ready 100 bikes and trikes for children, adults and families to have an opportunity to ride together. We are intentionally engaging our diverse community and community bridge building towards inclusion and access in southeast Fort Worth. Our team of volunteers and partners will be helping bridge barriers families face towards mobility and independence,” says Kenny Mosley, Executive Director of the William M. McDonald YMCA.

Special guest will be John “Bobby” Shackelford, former bike messenger from Washington DC, who made an 1,114-mile history-making bikepacking journey called the Underground Railroad Ride in September 2020. “I want to inspire the next generation about the true happiness and freedom a bicycle can bring. Our goal is to reach those that have been marginalized or overlooked and get them on bikes,” says Shackelford.

Established in November 2016 as The Park Glen Bike Gang, The Bike Gangs of Fort Worth is a nonprofit organization that was founded by Daniel Guido, a father in the Park Glen community. Its stated mission is to foster more neighborhood friendships and community, promoting “neighboring” in general (“build the neighborhood you want to live in”). The organization provides free organized bike rides, free bike repairs, free bike trade-ups, free bikes and free bike helmets.

“The Bike Gangs of Fort Worth, now with nine neighborhood bike gangs around Fort Worth, is thrilled to be partnering with the YMCA for this third Community Bike Rehab Challenge. These rehab events hint at our long game – to empower DFW neighbors to maintain and rehab their own bikes, right in the neighborhoods where they live.” Daniel explains. “We’re honored to be the recipients of a Mayoral award in the Health and Wellness category of the 2019 City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Awards, and for partnering with the City’s code compliance and recycling stations to establish the Community Bike Builder program to intercept and rehab an additional 800-900 bikes per year for Fort Worth residents.”

“What started as a 100 Bike and Trike Rehab Challenge has turned into over 160 bike and trike rehab event. Which tells us mobility, ability, as well as access are critical needs of our community, says Mosley. “We are elated to provide an experience for children, adults, and families to have an opportunity to ride together. Broken Bike? No problem. Bike repairs are free, whether a simple flat tire or a tune-up, to a full overhaul. No bike? No problem – bikes are free. We will get individuals and whole families rolling. We will also provide adult trikes for special needs like balance issues, stroke, autism, and down syndrome.”

Numerous partners will be on hand to help make this a true community event, including:

Fort Worth Police Department will help transport bikes adopted by families to their homes if transportation is a challenge.
Grapevine AMBUCS (American Business Clubs), providing therapeutic AmTrykes for people with disabilities to improve mobility, health and develop independence, will be answering and taking applications for adaptive bikes and trikes.
Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas will be onsite helping families register for I Can Shine bike camp hosted at the Y this summer.

The Bike Gangs of Fort Worth has been rehabilitating and gifting bikes since 2017. Future plans include establishing the Neighborhood Bike Shop-in-a-Box model, which is based on a 20-foot shipping container format, and puts a full-fledged shop right in the neighborhoods that need them most.

“Considering that low-end bikes cost $75-$150 and repairs can easily run $40, it could be financially difficult for a family as kids continually grow through the five basic sizes of bicycles. Further, the modern family has a shortage of time that causes a drop-off and pick-up at a bike shop to become a stressful luxury.” Guido explains. “Our model not only catalyzes neighbor interactions and promotes healthy use of our amazing outdoor amenities, but it also solves these economic and time-zapping challenges. We aim to remove all barriers to entry and sustained participation and replace them with miles of smiles.”

To find out more information about the Bike Gangs of Fort Worth, contact Gang Boss Daniel Guido at (682) 429-2298 or [email protected].

FORT WORTH YMCA YMCA WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT & CEO MIKE BROWN

Fort Worth, Texas – Wednesday, Jan 13th, 2021 — The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth welcomes new President and CEO Mike Brown to the community. Brown brings over 18 years of extensive Y CEO experience with associations and staff of similar size as the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth. He has a strategic approach to community engagement, innovative delivery of programs for teens and families, and a bold and progressive approach to diversity and inclusion. Brown will work to continue strategic partnerships as well as seek to build new community partnerships with business and local governments.

Most recently, Brown comes to Fort Worth from the YMCA of Central New York where he served as President and CEO with an operating budget of $24 million and over 1,500 full-time staff. Brown is not new to Texas, as he served as Executive Director at the YMCA of Greater Houston for almost 6 years before serving as the President and CEO of the YMCA of Rock River in Illinois prior to his tenure in Central New York.

Brown joins the Fort Worth Y during this unprecedented and challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Y was forced to close for 74 days in 2020, it continued servicing to the community through new and modified programs and outreach efforts. The Y provided 200,000 meals and snacks to those suffering from food insecurity, and provided essential child care to over 1,750 children through two continually operating pre-schools, a new Distance Learning Support program for online learners, summer day camp and after school initiatives.

Brown is excited to be joining the Fort Worth and Tarrant County community. The Fort Worth Y Search Committee vetted more than 60 candidates from all over the country who were interested in joining this dynamic, 130-year old non-profit organization.

“The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth offers an opportunity for expanded impact and reach to the entire 5-county service region. The opportunity to build a strategic plan to enhance community programs and strengthen the Y’s financial future is exciting to me”, said Mike Brown.

Brown takes over from Tony Shuman who served as President and CEO of the Fort Worth Y for almost 20 years and retired last fall. Brown is determined to build on the achievements by Shuman and propel the Fort Worth YMCA forward through the launch of a new 5-year strategic plan.

“The Board of Directors excitedly welcomes Mike Brown to our YMCA. Through innovative vision and strategic leadership, the Y embraces cause-driven work to deepen our reach to individuals, families, and the greater community. By aligning with the three core focus areas, and Brown’s leadership in our association, the YMCA will continue to be a catalyst for change and recognized as a stakeholder and collaborator in the greater Fort Worth area,” says Julie Wilson, chair of the YMCA Board of Directors.

Notable achievements for Brown include significant partnerships with hospitals, school districts, universities and the greater community. Brown holds two master’s degrees in human services: one in Leadership & Development and another in Organizational Leadership. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Management degree. He is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive and is a certified YMCA Organizational Leader. Additionally, he has served as adjunct professor for two universities in Illinois and Wisconsin teaching Intro to Human Services, Non-Profit Management, Financial Management, and Social Welfare Policy.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth was established in 1890 and briefly closed its doors last spring for the first time ever due to the impact of COVID-19. It reopened last summer with new health and safety protocols and guidelines to keep members and guests safe. Guests can visit the Y for membership, group exercise, day camps, swim lessons, personal training while maintaining social distancing guidelines. The Y is committed to helping people stay physically active, being mentally well while supporting the community in a variety of ways throughout the pandemic.

Mike Brown will have an office at the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown Fort Worth branch and can be reached at [email protected].

FORT WORTH YMCA PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE GANGS OF FORT WORTH PROVIDING FREE BICYCLE REPAIRS FOR FAMILIES

Fort Worth, Texas – Thursday, Dec 3rd, 2020 — The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth is partnering with the Bike Gangs of Fort Worth to provide free bicycle repairs (called rehabs) to children and families on Saturday, Dec 5th at 9am in the parking lot of the Northpark YMCA located at 9100 N Beach St, Fort Worth, TX 76244.

The 100-bike rehab event, in collaboration with Bike Gangs of Fort Worth, is seeking volunteers to set up in separate stations, socially distanced, to rehab 100 bikes to get back into the community to encourage children and families to ride bikes and get out and move naturally. To volunteer for Saturday’s event, contact Erika Jobe at (817) 993-1333 or [email protected].

“We get kids and their parents out of their houses and away from their screens for free and family-friendly bike rides, typically twice per month. Typically an hour or so long, rides start with a safety briefing, and then a slow-roll through neighborhoods, stopping to play at a park, then pedaling back to “home base” for a snack and water and sometimes cookouts or popsicles.” Daniel explains. “We’re honored to be the recipients of a Mayoral award in the Health and Wellness category of the 2019 City of Fort Worth Neighborhood Awards, and for partnering with the City’s code compliance and recycling stations to establish the Community Bike Builder program to intercept and rehab an additional 800-900 bikes per year for Fort Worth residents.”

The Northpark YMCA reopened this summer with new health and safety protocols and guidelines to keep members and guests safe. Guests can visit the Y for membership, group exercise, day camps, swim lessons, personal training while maintaining social distancing guidelines. Parents can bring kids to the Y Playhouse while they work to get or stay physically active.

“The opportunity to partner with The Bike Gangs of Fort Worth is a natural because our missions are closely aligned. Getting people to move naturally, strengthening families, encouraging the love of outdoors are priorities we are both working to encourage and support.” Says Erika Jobe, Executive Director of the Northpark YMCA. “Situated in close proximity to the neighborhood bike gangs, the Y has resources to offer, mostly an organized outdoor space and people (volunteers), so it’s a win/win for our community. To be able to do something so meaningful to encourage healthy living for our community during this time of social distancing is such a blessing!”

They tout having over 1,200 bikes given back to the community, countless neighborhood bike rides, and over 10,000 estimated smiles and counting.

To find out more information about the Bike Gangs of Fort Worth, contact Gang Boss Daniel Guido at (682) 429-2298 or [email protected].

Click here for the full press release.

THE 39TH ANNUAL MORITZ FORT WORTH YMCA TURKEY TROT IS GOING VIRTUAL

DALLAS and FORT WORTH, TX (October 12, 2020) – Due to ongoing concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth announced today both the 2020 Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot and Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot will be virtual events only, for the health and safety of participants across North Texas. Families and individuals will be able to participate in this Thanksgiving Day tradition from their neighborhood or wherever they may be across the country on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2020.

Those who pre-registered for the in-person Turkey Trot races in Dallas or Fort Worth will be automatically transferred to a virtual registration. Participants will still receive an official 2020 Turkey Trot long-sleeved t-shirt at select YMCA branches or Luke’s Locker locations in Dallas and Fort Worth respectively in November or have it mailed directly to their home. Learn more at www.thetrot.org and www.fwtrot.org.

Founded in 1967, the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot has become one of the largest Thanksgiving Day events normally held in downtown Dallas.

“The health and wellness of all our participants is at the core of the YMCA’s mission and the safety of those who participate in the Turkey Trot is our top priority. That’s why after ongoing discussions with local health authorities, we came to the conclusion that the safest way to conduct the Turkey Trot this year would be for people to participate at home, rather than gathering together in Downtown Dallas, even with the added safety measures we planned for the event,” said Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “We hope the families that participate every year decide to run or walk the race together at home to keep the tradition going. We look forward to being together in-person at next year’s race.”

Since 1981, new generations of families have turned out to experience the fun, family-friendly atmosphere of the Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot.

“As the health and safety of our members, participants, staff and community is of utmost importance, and to support the guidelines set forth by our public health leaders, our 39th Annual YMCA Turkey Trot will be a virtual race in 2020. We encourage you to continue the tradition in Fort Worth by participating with us virtually and support the YMCA,” said Tony Shuman, President/CEO YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth

Proceeds from the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot will benefit the organization’s COVID-19 relief support for children and families and the preschool program at Park South Family YMCA. Proceeds from the Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot go to essential community programs and scholarships for families in need. Your participation in The Trot, and donations to the YMCA, help ensure we will always be ready to meet the needs of North Texas communities.

To sign up for the Fort Worth YMCA Virtual Turkey Trot, registration is $35 through November 25^th. The first 1,000 registrations will receive a commemorative face covering. Virtual registration for dogs is $10. Register or learn more at www.fwtrot.org.

Click here for the full press release.

LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AT A TIME WHEN COMPASSION IS MOST NECESSARY DURING A PANDEMIC

DALLAS (Aug 26, 2020) – Wednesday, August 26, 2020 marks Women’s Equality Day, which is the date that commemorates women gaining the right to vote in America (1920). For the first time in its history, there are two female Board Chairs leading both the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth at the same time. Jill Magnuson serves as Board Chair/Chief Volunteer Officer in Dallas and Julie Wilson serves as Board Chair/Chief Volunteer Officer in Fort Worth.

Jill Magnuson was asked what Women’s Equality Day means to her, “This 100th Anniversary is not just reflecting on that historic moment, but about dedicating myself to the work I do through the YMCA to be about equality for all. It is a moment that we must look forward to be engaged in change, while honoring our past.”

Both Jill and Julie are only the second women Board Chairs to serve in their respective organizations. Gray Mayes was the first woman Board Chair for the Dallas Y and Cindy Milrany served as the first woman Board Chair for the Fort Worth Y.

“The Y is continually evolving to help families meet new challenges in a new way of life.” says Julie Wilson. “Arguably, women are generally the primary caregivers in most families. I love that the leader of the Dallas Y, Jill Magnuson, is so collaborative. We can not only talk together as Board Chairs, but as women, as working women, as mothers, and in my case as a grandmother, and help other women face today’s realities and challenges.”

Jill Magnuson serves as Director of External Affairs of the Nasher Sculpture Center, a world-renowned museum in the Dallas Arts District and Julie Wilson is President and CEO of The Reasons Group, a consultancy in Fort Worth specializing in marketing strategies and conflict management.

Jill Magnuson reflects that she is honored to serve and be surrounded by extraordinary volunteers on the Board. When asked about the timing, “I don’t know if it was fate or not, but I will say that I think it was meant to be.” Speaking on the challenging times of a global pandemic and continuing health crisis in North Texas, “I think our female leadership roles comes at a time where compassion is most necessary.”

Both YMCAs have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and both volunteer boards, executive leadership and staff are rallying to continue to serve the growing needs of the community in new ways. All YMCA branches in North Texas were closed for several months during the beginning of the pandemic. During that time, staff, volunteers, donors and partners helped serve the community through food distribution, blood drives, grab-n-go meals, household essentials and childcare.

“Obviously, we had to close our facilities for a short period of time. We had to pivot how we keep up with our mission, keep serving the community while we couldn’t have people come into the Y,” Julie explains. “We’ve got members, staff, the board, volunteers, donors and the community at large, and they all need to know that the Y is still in business delivering on its mission in helping support our community.”

Please visit www.ymcadfw.org to learn more about these two dynamic leaders and how both the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth support the community.

Click here for the full press release.

YMCA FORT WORTH CEO TONY SHUMAN RETIRING AT THE END OF 2020

Fort Worth, Texas – Tuesday, Jun 16, 2020 — After 41 years of service with the YMCA, and 18 years of local leadership, Tony Shuman, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth, is retiring at the end of 2020.

“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have Tony’s leadership in the Greater Fort Worth area for nearly 20 years,” Julie H. Wilson, board chair, commented. “We can point with pride to the many achievements our area Y’s have accomplished during his tenure.”

Some of the Y’s top initiatives and achievements under Shuman’s leadership include the following:

Raised over $20 million in capital support to fund the new William M. McDonald YMCA, to renovate the historic Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown branch and make improvements at YMCA Camp Carter.
Increased the number of Y members from 25,000 to over 50,000.
Doubled the total number of people served to over 160,000 in 2019.
Grew the association’s annual budget from $14 million to over $25 million.
Introduced chronic disease prevention programs such as YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, Pedaling for Parkinson’s, Enhance Fitness Arthritis Management, Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, A Matter of Balance Fall Prevention, Exert Brain Health, and Y Weight Loss.
Introduced new programs to address critical community issues such as Y Feeds Kids and Safety Around Water.
Launched the Open Doors program to make YMCA memberships and programs available to more people (2018).
Added five new YMCA locations and made major improvements and renovations to five other locations in the association, including YMCA Camp Carter.
Supported the strategy that led to tripling the value of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth Endowment Fund.

Facility developments by the Y include:

Northpark YMCA in collaboration with the City of Fort Worth (2008)
Hood County YMCA in collaboration with Hood County Commissioners and Hospital District (2006)
Joshua Community YMCA in collaboration with the City of Joshua (2013)
YMCA Sports Complex in collaboration with the City of Fort Worth (2013)
William M. McDonald YMCA in collaboration with the City of Fort Worth (2018)
Westside YMCA, in collaboration with the City of Fort Worth, transformed into the LVT Rise Community Center (2019)

Shuman began his 41-year YMCA career at the San Diego YMCA as a camp counselor and program director. From there, he moved back to his hometown in Orange County, CA, to run his first branch as an Executive Director for four years. Moving to Dallas in 1993, Tony spent 10 years as a Vice President of Operations with the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas before moving to Fort Worth as our chief executive in July of 2002.

Since May 22^nd, the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth began a phased reopening after closures due to COVID-19.

Tony has been actively engaged in our local communities, serving in various roles including Renaissance Heights United board and Tarrant County Response Team, Downtown Fort Worth Inc. board, and Chair of the Council of United Way Executives. He has a close relationship with fellow North Texas Y CEOs, Curt Hazelbaker of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and Eric Tucker, Arlington Mansfield Area YMCA, where the Y’s have collaborated to serve communities even better.

Tony’s leadership at the state and national level will be sorely missed. He chaired the Texas YMCA State Alliance Board and the YMCA Employee Benefits Management Committee; and is currently on the board of the YMCA Employees Assistance Fund.

The YMCA’s volunteers, staff, donors, Fort Worth and Tarrant County community will miss Shuman’s leadership. The Y’s Board of Directors has begun the process of identifying a successor that is innovative and mission-driven, undertaking a nationwide search with an emphasis on reaching a diverse candidate pool.

Click here for the full press release.