FAUNTLEROY YMCA: ‘Exciting news’ promised at Thursday event. Also, more community collaboration needed

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“We have some exciting news regarding Fauntleroy to share at our Annual Fund Drive,” says West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) branch executive Cleveland King. “The bottom line is we are going nowhere anytime soon. We are committed to the Fauntleroy community and our partnership with the Fauntleroy Church.”

The Annual Fund Drive event is the Y’s annual fundraising kickoff, and it’s happening this Thursday (February 29), 6:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church‘s Fellowship Hall, steps from the Y facility that’s been the source of concern these past few months, ever since word began circulating that its closure was a possibility as the Y dealt with financial challenges. King is set to present an update on Fauntleroy’s status as part of the scheduled program.

But he also tells WSB that so far the community commitment to helping save and improve the location has fallen short of hopes. At last month’s “town hall” meeting about the Fauntleroy situation, the creation of committees, and a request for participation, was announced. The first committee meetings were held recently, “and a total of 6 people showed up,” King says. They “spent a significant amount of time reviewing the Fauntleroy financials and the current state of the Fauntleroy YMCA,” he adds, and notes, “there were some great comments and suggestions from the group that attended. We are hopeful to have more significant input from the community. The groups decided to give others another opportunity to participate before we started the planning phases.” You’re invited to the next meetings, all on (NEW DATE) Tuesday, March 26: Fundraising Committee, 5 pm-6 pm; Planning Committee, 6:15 pm-7:15 pm; Volunteer Committee, 7:30 pm-8:30 pm. (MARCH 25 UPDATE: New times – everyone gather at 6 pm.)

Meantime, if you haven’t RSVP’d yet for this Thursday’s fund-drive-and-more event, this flyer has those details.

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6 Replies to "FAUNTLEROY YMCA: 'Exciting news' promised at Thursday event. Also, more community collaboration needed"

voter February 27, 2024 (3:09 pm)

Hi Tracy, March 19 is also the date of FCA’s Annual Meeting and Food Fest. We pointed this out to Cleveland and he subsequently changed the date for his committee meetings to March 26 but I see that your article says March 19. I’ve written to Cleveland and suggested that he let you know that the date for their meetings is actually March 26. Busy times for the community!Thanks,Catherine Bailey, FCA VP

WSB February 27, 2024 (4:01 pm)

OK, he’s just sent us that update so I’m changing above.

Ginny H February 28, 2024 (7:46 pm)

At the initial community town hall, many attendees asked the Y/Mr. King to provide greater transparency and details on the financials, membership and how money was allocated from the Greater YMCA in our region. There was an expectation among many attendees (myself included) that there was going to be a second town hall with this information, before many of us were willing to sign up for committees. I think that more people may have participated in committees had we gotten this information and seen if the Y leadership did any follow up on the suggestions presented at the first town hall.. Mr. King should share the information that was reviewed at that first committee meeting. There was a lack of trust with Y leadership that remains without more information forthcoming.

Ann February 29, 2024 (4:58 pm)

Just curious to know how the Y put out word about the meetings. I signed up for the Planning Committee but got no notice of a meeting. Maybe others didn’t get a notice either. Could that be why the attendance was low?