The YMCA has been historically known for its emphasis on health and fitness, but an adjunct arm of the Y, called the Urban Mission Branch is focusing on education.
Affectionately called “a Y without walls,” the Urban Mission Branch operates from local churches, schools and park facilities. It’s Y-Achievers program addresses critical issues affecting today’s urban youth and focuses on college readiness.
“The Urban Mission Branch’s primary area is helping kids in Center Township,” said Tangela Floyd, public relations and communications director for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.
Students are prepared for college through workshops, tutoring, career exploration activities, and summer camps among other programs.
Their most recent endeavor is the 2nd annual Y-Achievers Scholarship banquet. During the banquet, one deserving student received a $5,000 scholarship toward college tuition.
Floyd said that the scholarship money isn’t solely for school tuition and tackles issues Black youth face when going to college such as renting a trailer to haul their belongings to college or purchasing books.
“We understand that some kids will get accepted to college and won’t go because of financial hurdles. We do require students to be enrolled as a full time student,” said Floyd.
In addition to this scholarship three students received a Ted Boyd Yellow Ribbon Scholarship.
The Ted Boyd Yellow Ribbon Scholarship was developed in 2008 in honor of the late YMCA employee. Boyd’s passion for nurturing and opening doors for youths was the reason the scholarship is named in his honor.
“He was a vibrant man who contributed a lot to this community. He didn’t like a lot of accolades – he just liked to (take action),” said Barbara Boyd, Ted’s wife and Indianapolis’ first African-American TV news anchor.
Barbara recalls when Ted began his career as the executive director of the Emerson YMCA in Evanston, Ill in 1951. There he instituted programs, such as the Tots Swim Program, that Barbara said was way ahead of its time. His vigor and determination to make a difference also impressed the Y’s board of directors.
“Sometimes his checks would come up short because he bought a pair of pants for a kid, or a basketball or paint for the gym. That was the kind of guy he was. We might be home starving, but that kid had shoes,” laughed Barbara.
Ted improved Emerson Branch’s membership and even rejuvenated the culture of the neighborhood center.
The Indianapolis native moved his family back to the Circle City in 1962 and worked at the Fall Creek YMCA for two years.
Even though Ted no longer worked at the Y, it remained a very important part of his life. Barbara said that during retirement, Ted had a daily routine that always included visiting the YMCA.
“He was born into the Y – his father and mother were active at the Y. It was very important for him to still go by the Y,” said Barbara.
Ted was a people person who was also a master at sports, but giving an educational scholarship in his honor is fitting. Barbara said he believed that education is the key to success and changing the world. She also recalls how Ted would follow up with neighborhood children’s grades and challenged them to reach for the stars.
The YMCA will continue its focus on healthy living but will also continue to promote social responsibility through youth development. As the Urban Mission Branch continues to grow the Y-Achievers program, they also hope to increase college awareness, give out more scholarships to deserving students and help urban youth achieve their educational goals.
“We do have a ‘Y without walls.’ A lot of people say ‘I don’t have a Y in my community.’ If you want certain things to happen, just give us a call. We’re always looking at the changing needs of the community,” said Floyd.
For more information, call (317) 266-9622 or visit www.indymca.org.
