Wichita, Kansas — The Greater Wichita YMCA and Kansas Health Foundation announced a new three-year partnership today focused on delivering an integrated health and wellness model at scale to bring preventive health, connection and opportunity to a targeted 1 in 3 Kansans, or one million residents. The initiative, which will also include other Kansas YMCA associations, businesses and organizations, is backed by a $600,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF).

“Partnership and collaboration are critical to the health and vibrancy of our communities and state,” said Ed O’Malley, President and CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation. “We see the great work being done by the Greater Wichita YMCA, and we’re excited to partner with them as they continue to build out the strategies necessary to join us in helping make Kansas the healthiest state in the nation.”

The YMCA currently serves 1 in 3 people in its five-county south central Kansas service area, totaling nearly 200,000 members and program participants. Comprehensive health and wellness programs and services are provided by 12 physical branches in Wichita, Andover, El Dorado, Newton, Hutchinson and McPherson and through the YMCA 360 digital health solution, available anytime day or night.

“We know there are many kids and adults in rural and underserved areas of the state who don’t have access to YMCA programs and activities. We are committed to improving the health of all Kansas communities,” said Ronn McMahon, President and CEO of the Greater Wichita YMCA. “We’re thankful for the support of the Kansas Health Foundation and the partnership that will help close the gaps in order to make healthy living accessible to everyone, regardless of geographic location or income.”

As they get started, the YMCA and KHF look forward to engaging communities of all sizes and building a broader coalition along the way. Any group or business in Kansas is invited to contact either the YMCA or KHF to learn more about the initiative and ways they can get involved.

“We all have a stake in transforming the health and wellness landscape in Kansas to make our communities stronger and more resilient,” McMahon said. “There’s no question Kansas can lead the nation in health. We firmly believe now is the time to make that happen.”

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ABOUT THE GREATER WICHITA YMCA
Since 1885, The Greater Wichita YMCA has been volunteer-led and mission driven to promote healthy lifestyles, strong families and positive youth development for all in Central Kansas. Today, we employ more than 1,400 individuals and serve well over 300,000 of our neighbors in Butler, Harvey, Reno, McPherson and Sedgwick Counties. We support a healthy spirit, mind, and body through community development, education and wellness initiatives, youth and family programs, licensed child care and camp, and physical activity. Our more than 190,000 members have access to over one million square feet of fitness space across our 12 area branch locations in Andover, El Dorado, Newton, McPherson, Hutchinson and Wichita as well as four seasonal, outdoor water parks, three indoor/outdoor sports complexes, Camp Hyde and Camp Hiawatha. Our annual Strong Community Campaign, which funds our free and reduced-cost programs and enables scholarships, grants and income-based member and program pricing for those who qualify, allows us to honor our commitment to serve all, regardless of their ability to pay. Learn more at ymcawichita.org.

ABOUT THE KANSAS HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) is a nonprofit organization based in Wichita but statewide in its focus. At KHF, all our work centers on our mission: to improve the health of all Kansans. As part of our strategic framework, developed by our staff and board of directors, KHF also strives to accomplish three primary purposes: empower Kansas to lead the nation in health; eliminate the inequities that create health disparities; and, for KHF to become THE model for philanthropic impact.