EVANSTON, IL. – Monique Parsons, McGaw YMCA President/CEO, took the stage at the 2023 General Assembly of YMCAs in Atlanta, GA, to emphasize the importance of using the YMCA Boys & Young Men of Color (BYMOC) Strategy in youth-serving programs like MetaMedia. The BYMOC Strategy aims to empower boys and young men of color to achieve their full potential through targeted support and investment in their pathways to success.
Since its launch in 2018, the BYMOC Initiative has been operationalized at the community level by a cohort of local Ys in 26 cities and 16 states, including McGaw YMCA. To date, these Ys have collectively served 1,400 boys and young men of color. As the demand for aligning school participation with workforce development grows, the focus on boys and young men of color has become increasingly critical. By the end of 2024, the cohort will grow to include 100 cities, engaging 10,000 students.
Parsons joined a panel of four other YMCA leaders to discuss the practical application of the BYMOC Strategy in their Ys. Panelists provided insights on how the strategy has been used to create strong partnerships with other youth-serving organizations, including educational institutions.
Parsons emphasized that the McGaw YMCA’s collaboration with Northwestern University serves as a standout model, demonstrating the power of intentional partnerships driven by a shared vision. This partnership has proven instrumental in equipping Y staff with the necessary expertise and resources to implement the BYMOC Strategy effectively, supporting the academic success, identity development, and overall well-being of Black and brown middle-school youth in Evanston in McGaw Y programs like MetaMedia.
The partnership involves ongoing professional development provided by Northwestern professors to MetaMedia program staff, as well as collaboration in designing culturally rooted program curricula, defining desired outcomes, and establishing evaluation frameworks.
Parsons underscored the vital role of young people as the most important partners in youth-centered programs. She emphasized the inclusive and intentional nature of youth-centered program development at McGaw YMCA, stating that “the voices of the young people are heard and integrated into every aspect when programs are being created for them.”
Strengthened by its partnerships with Northwestern University, Evanston/Skokie School District 65, and the City of Evanston, among others, the McGaw YMCA continues to demonstrate the transformative potential of the BYMOC Strategy in empowering boys and young men of color to thrive and succeed.
To learn more about BYMOC, visit the YMCA BYMOC Strategy webpage or watch the national BYMOC video.
For more information on MetaMedia, visit www.mcgawymca.org/metamedia.