Memorial Day

This is a reminder that the Grubb YMCA will be open Monday May 28th, Memorial Day, from 8am-12pm. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday. Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!

Meditate, Breathe and Enjoy Yoga Outdoors

We have a new morning Yoga class on Wednesdays from 10:15-11:00am. This weather has been so nice, our instructor Jamey took the class outside!

 For some of the men in our class, this was only their second yoga class! They really enjoyed it and said they are definitely coming back.

 Member Jeff Hart said he didn't realize how stiff his body was until he started yoga. He really enjoys being able to stretch out his whole body during class.

 

 Stop by the Grubb on Wednesday mornings and help relieve some of the stress and stiffness your body is carrying. Yoga is a great way to increase flexibility, balance and muscular endurance. And enjoy the amazing weather at the same time!

Volunteers brighten up the Grubb



Staff member Jamie paints our
lobby area



Director Cameron Nicholson helps
out a member volunteer



We had a great number of volunteers come out to our Scrubb the Grubb event! A HUGE thanks to the staff, members, and volunteers that participated in giving the Grubb a new face lift. We taped, primed, and painted many areas of the Y.



Volunteers prime the Child Care area



Staff member Carolina paints our lobby area



Bright Orange is painted on part of the
Child Care area









Annual Crocker Street Y Reunion

Executive Director Cameron Nicholson Speaks to attendees

Community Youth Choir perform songs

For almost 40 years, there has been a reunion to celebrate Des Moines' first YMCA for African Americans, the Crocker Street YMCA. It was founded in 1919 by S. Joe Brown, a prominent lawyer and community leader, after realizing that the YMCA was excluding black soldiers. After contacting the Des Moines YMCA President, funding was secured and the Crocker Street Branch YMCA was established for young African-American men and boys. Along with offering Bible lessons and sporting activities, young men participated in a week long Y camp located in Boone, Iowa. During that week adventure, the young men of the Crocker Street Y lived in tents, hiked, fished and enjoyed swimming in the river. Once integration within the downtown YMCA began in the 1950's, membership dropped and the Crocker Street Y finally closed in 1959. Today it is the John R Grubb YMCA which has filled the community bringing it together while continuing with the principles of   healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility.

The Isiserettes perform

Micheal Kates accepts Lifetime Achievement Award for Ozzie Morrow

Maxine Watkins receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Kicking up Soccer at the Grubb!

 We have had a great start to our soccer season this year! Our fundamental practice days brought out kids from all ages and skill levels.

 Both practices were held indoors in our gym because of wet weather, but that's no problem at all. That's the awesome thing about soccer, practice will always be held either indoors or out.

It's not too late to get signed up. Practices start this week and the first games start this Saturday April 21st

Congratulations to the Iowa Golden Gloves Champions from Life Line Youth Foundations!

Left: Javonta Charles 200lb Champion, Cameron Nicholson Executive Director YMCA, Auston Butts 165lb Champion, Vince Kelly Founder, Life Line Youth Foundation and DeAndre Harris 152lb Champion

 The boxers train several days a week at the Grubb YMCA using our cardio center and weight room to get into top notch fighting condition. They bring a positive energy to the YMCA gym with their positive attitudes, friendly and approachable demeanor. Members are inspired by their strong work ethic and can do spirit --and it is contagious!

The Life Line Youth Foundation has a group membership at the YMCA and uses several other locations throughout the neighborhood to train their boxers. Vince Kelly is the Founder and Executive Director of the agency and he has taken these young men across the country to compete at the highest levels of boxing. The three boxers, Javonta Charles, DeAndre Harris and Auston Butts each won their weight class for the state of Iowa and will compete at the National Golden Gloves in Nevada, April 29th through May 5th.  Mr. Charles is also an alternate for the US Olympic Boxing Team. 

We are proud of these young men and the relationship we have with Life Line Youth Foundation.

Join 365 and Make a Difference

Go to HERE and sign up to volunteer not only for this Saturday's Scrub da Grubb but find other awesome volunteer opportunities throughout the community.

 National Volunteer Week is April 15-21st so log on and find a cause that match's you. And for those of you that have already signed up for Saturday, we look forward to having you here!