From the CEO

     The YMCA of High Point announced its new Strategic Plan, “High Point Strong” in September. It is complete with fancy language, marketing techniques, heart-warming stories and images, pretty pictures and lofty goals. Typical stuff for a community organization. But, what does it all mean?

As a father of three, an engaged community advocate, a Y director for over 20 years, and a passionate voice for strong communities, I wrote my first blog to describe the YMCA’s role in strengthening the High Point community.  I wanted to champion causes that are near and dear to us all.  Causes such as our children and their development, or causes focused on making ourselves healthier, or championing the fight for those in our community who desperately need a boost in life. 

What makes a Strong Community?  Is it the achievements touted on the Chamber of Commerce website?  Or is it the number of new businesses opening on Main Street?  Or, could it be the improvement of our children’s test scores on the latest round of End of Grade testing?

      If we polled 100 citizens at the local mall, we might get 99 different answers. The answer to this question is as elusive as the children’s game of “Where’s Waldo?”  It may be elusive at first, but when you see it, you will recognize it.

     There is no standard definition of measuring the strength of any community.  There is no metric available today to effectively measure this highly subjective goal.  Everyone wants to make their home town stronger.  Everyone wants their home to be a 2013 version of the utopic “white picket fence.”