Grand Opening of North Community Youth and Teen Enrichment Center

The North Community YMCA Youth and Teen Enrichment Center proves that it is indeed unparalleled and distinctive. Hundreds of children and families turned out for the official Grand Opening at the Center on Saturday, May 2.


Thanks to the hard work and support of many, the dream of the Youth and Family Enrichment Center became a reality as we cut the official grand opening ribbon. Andrea Walsh, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis past chair, emceed the ceremony. We also heard from Harold Mezile, YMCA President and CEO; Fred Friswold, "Commitment to Community" campaign chair; Michael Miller, North Community YMCA Board Chair; Don Samuels, Minneapolis City Council, Ward 5; Jake Spano, Deputy State Director; Jonathan Roberts and Lupita Sherrod, YMCA program participants and part-time staff. Mayor Rybak also attended to show his support.

The YMCA also recognized its Advance Gifts donors, who demonstrated their tremendous support early on, such as: Best Buy, Cargill, General Mills, Medtronic, Jane and John Mooty, the R.M. Schulze Family Foundation and UnitedHealth Group. Of course, everyone involved in the project is grateful for every donor who contributed, because it was a true community effort to make this dream a reality on the city's North Side.

Following the ceremony, everyone enjoyed Dilly Bars from International Dairy Queen; Kemp's milk; cookies from the Cookie Cart; popcorn from Northeast Bank; and lemonade and sweet tea from Hawthorne McDonald's. Youth also participated in all the exciting activities available through the North Community YMCA Youth and Teen Enrichment Center, including the XRKade and swimming.

It was an exciting day for everyone involved. The North Community YMCA Youth and Teen Enrichment Center was rebuilt, rearranged and revamped with the strengthening and enrichment of youth in mind, and it shows!

Pictured, from left to right: Minneapolis City Council representatives Diane Hofstede (in red) and Don Samuels, North Community Board Chair Michael Miller, YMCA President and CEO Harold Mezile, Jane Mooty (seated), and North Community Executive Director Henry Crosby.