Look For Materials for Your Y from WorkOhio

From the office of Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, we are excited to announce a new job connection program and ask for your help in reaching those in your community who may benefit from it.

WorkOhio is a recently launched statewide program meant to serve as the state’s front door to workforce resources and job search assistance.

WorkOhio exists to help Ohioans access in demand jobs, by connecting jobseekers with local experts who can provide personalized support. Local experts can help jobseekers streamline their job search process by ensuring that jobseekers are connected to the appropriate resource, or potential employer.

WorkOhio’s unique system is designed to fit the needs of a broad population, and partners with organizations of a wide variety. As a result, our regional partners are positioned to help any Ohioan that comes through our doors remove any potential barriers to work. Be it the attainment of education or training, transportation issues, or direct connection to available jobs. Access to these services available now at WorkOhio.gov .

To reach those that may benefit from this assistance, we would like to provide information on WorkOhio that could be displayed in your centers. This includes both postcard size flyers, and posters appropriate for community bulletin boards. These materials should arrive to each of your corporate YMCA offices in the coming weeks.

Hire for Character and Potential. Train for Skill. Develop for Leadership.

What a summer as an 18-year-old cowboy taught me about developing people.

Craig Greenlee

Senior Director of Alliance Services. Ohio Alliance of YMCA’s

August 25, 2026

At 18 years old, I spent a summer working as a cowboy at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. I certainly didn't show up knowing everything I needed to know about horses, trails, or being a cowboy. Someone simply believed I had enough of the right stuff to learn the rest.

They hired something they couldn't easily teach—and then taught me what they could.

More than four decades later, I think there's a leadership lesson in that experience.

Too often, we hire based primarily on what someone can do today. Experience. Credentials. Technical skills. Those things matter, but many of them can be taught.

Character is harder to teach. Curiosity is harder to teach. Work ethic is harder to teach. The desire to grow is harder to teach.

And potential? Sometimes it takes a leader willing to see it before the person sees it in themselves.

So maybe our job as leaders isn't simply to find people who are already prepared for the next role.

Maybe it's to find good people, teach them the skills they need, give them opportunities to stretch—and help them become leaders.

Hire for character and potential. Train for skill. Develop for leadership.

Someone did that for an 18-year-old cowboy once. I've been trying to return the favor ever since.

Save the Dates: Ohio YMCA Youth & Government

The 2026–2027 Ohio YMCA Youth & Government season is right around the corner! We’re excited to welcome students and advisors back for another year of hands-on civic learning, leadership, and fun.

Middle School State Assembly
📆 January 17–18, 2027

High School State Assembly
📆 April 15–17, 2027

More information about registration, programming, and preparation for the State Assembly will be shared at our upcoming advisor meetings, open to all teachers and YMCA Staff who are interested in running the program. We can’t wait to get the 2026–2027 Youth & Government season underway!

• Middle School: September 22 at 6:00 PM
• High School: September 24 at 6:00 PM

Join the Ohio Teen Staff Peer Community

The Ohio Alliance of YMCAs is excited to launch a new Teen Staff Peer Community. A space for YMCA professionals who work with teens to connect, share ideas, and learn from one another. Through quarterly virtual calls and regular email updates, participants will have opportunities to exchange resources, discuss challenges and successes, and share strategies for engaging and supporting teens across Ohio.

Whether you’re a seasoned teen program professional or newer to working with youth, we invite you to join this growing community and help strengthen teen programming across the Ohio YMCA movement! Sign up today here: https://forms.gle/ydrx4mnPhXuxXiFG6

Youth Advocate Program Applications Open Through Sep. 30th

The Youth Advocate Program (YAP) is a four-month civic engagement and advocacy training program that gives students the opportunity to share their story and the impact of the Y with Members of Congress in Washington, D.C.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?
This is a perfect opportunity for high school students interested in: 

• Sharing their Y story and representing the Y on a national level
• Learning about the Y’s national policy priorities
• Connecting with peers from across the country interested in creating positive change
• Strategizing how to continue advocating in your community and state after the program

PROGRAM DETAILS AND REQUIREMENTS

APPLY OR SHARE THE APPLICATION 

Learn More About YUSA Teen Leading Practices

Leading practices are internal and external best practices that intentionally embed continuous improvement and innovation. They are the fuel for operational and program excellence.  Learn more:

• Join the Teen Link Community
• Learn more about the Teen Leading Practice Overview
• Join the Teen National Peer Community Call
• Sign up to receive update emails from YUSA regarding the Teen Community

Teen Staff Academy

November 9 - 11, 2026 a new teen-focused training academy will take place at the beautiful Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina! The key focus of Teen Staff Academy is learning and discussing the core principles of three important YMCA programs – Achievers, Leaders' Club and Youth and Government.

Academy Topics will include:

• Introduction into signature teen programming
• Budgeting
• Marketing
• Resources and staffing
• Tremendous peer networking opportunities!

If you are looking to grow teen programs, impact your community and expand your network this training is perfect for you! Register today at blueridgeassembly.org/youth-development-summit/

YMCA 360 + Ohio Alliance of YMCAs Learning Series

In case you missed it, you are invited to monthly webinars to learn more about using YMCA 360. Last month's meeting was about using Y360 to create and maintain class schedules. Click this link to view the recording. (Passcode: %e!EpQk3)

Meetings are the third Monday of each month at this link.  (Note that the next meeting will be October 19.)

If you have suggestions for future meeting topics, please contact btsvetkoff@ohioymcas.org.

2027 Ohio YMCAs Leadership Conference Call for Presenters

Conference Theme: Rise Above: From Daily Demands to Lasting Impact

What we need: The Ohio Alliance is seeking presenters for workshops at our 2027 Ohio YMCAs Leadership Conference. The conference will include two rounds of six workshops (one round each day), and each workshop will be 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

• Who will attend the conference: YMCA Leadership Staff (and volunteers) from 42 associations, 164 branches, and 455 early learning and school-aged child care sites across Ohio. We expect about 350 attendees.
•  What is the purpose of the conference: This conference inspires Y staff and volunteers to rise above the demands of the day, strengthen their leadership, and create meaningful, lasting impact in the communities they serve.
•  When is the conference: April 7-8, 2027
•  Where is the conference: Hyatt Regency, Downtown Columbus, OH

Additional Det ails:

• A presenter’s services will be considered a donation and are subject to tax deduction. The Alliance will provide a receipt for your records upon the conclusion of the conference.
• Presenters are responsible for providing any handouts or materials.
• We will provide a projector and screen for all presenters.
•  All workshop proposals are due by 5:00 PM EST on December 1, 2026.
•  Selected presenters will be notified no later than December 15, 2026.

Questions? Contact Ruth Knous (rknous@ohioymcas.org)