YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County

The YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County is an open, inter-faith movement which advocates Christian principles through programs that build character, respond to community needs, and help build spirit, mind and body for all. Guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, the Y is dedicated to giving people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. We envision a future in which all people achieve health, gain confidence, make connections and feel secure at every stage of life. The Y is committed to developing new generations of changemakers who will create the communities we all want to live in.

In October, 2021, the Y established our Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Statement, which includes the following language:

“The YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County is an inclusive interfaith organization that recognizes the worth of all people. The Y connects the community. We work for inter-group understanding by challenging everyone to demonstrate caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility with everyone else. The Y celebrates and embraces human differences and similarities, focusing on diversity, inclusion, and equity.

“The Y recognizes that people face barriers based on their ability, age, body shape, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, language, political and religious beliefs, race, sexual orientation, and the intersection of those experiences. We also recognize that society unfairly privileges some people due to their education, health, marital status, socioeconomic background, and whether they have family or career responsibilities. We declare that all discrimination limits people’s growth.

“The Y strives for inclusion and equity, a continual process of ensuring that everyone has access, opportunities, and resources to feel valued and respected. Every individual can contribute with dignity. The Y offers programs that our community wants including programs designed to honor historically excluded groups. The Y knows that representation matters and we pursue diversity in hiring and volunteer recruitment. YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County is committed to ensuring that every individual has what they need to thrive and grow while honoring their culture and identity.”