Global Relations and Community Engagement (GRACE)

Community Engagement

Community engagement is at the heart of the Y’s mission. GRACE emphasizes building authentic, sustainable relationships across lines of difference, ensuring that every person and community feels valued and connected. A key priority of GRACE is to promote a culture that builds bridges between communities and fosters the safe exchange of ideas, beliefs, and perspectives within Ys and the neighborhoods they serve. As communities evolve and become more globalized, creating safe, welcoming spaces for all is essential.

We do this by:

• Leading with empathy in all interactions and activities
• Recognizing, valuing, and embracing all people in our communities, especially those who the Y has not historically served
• Developing cultural competencies, social awareness, and global perspective
• Building bridges between communities and fostering dialogue across differences  

Global Relations

With a presence in more than 120 countries, the YMCA addresses the unique needs of communities while drawing from the knowledge, strength, and collective impact of the worldwide Movement.  

Leveraging a global (“global” meaning the U.S. and the world) understanding of communities brings strength, resiliency, and relevance to everything we do. It also helps YMCA leaders to acquire and/or develop the cultural competencies necessary to serve all communities living in the U.S. It reminds us to hold ourselves accountable to dynamic, strategic global relationships that center For All in development opportunities, programs, and partnerships.  

At the Y, celebrating our uniqueness, building belonging, and advancing For All are inextricably linked to a deep understanding of our global identity, global community, and outcomes for our global humanity.