YMCA Day at the Capital

Louisiana alliance has an impactful “Y Day” at Capitol: Y Advocates in the Louisiana alliance had multiple successes at what both Louisiana State House and Senate formally proclaimed as "Y-Day in Louisiana" on April 12th. The two legislative bodies read the proclamations aloud, commending YMCA volunteers, members and staff for their dedication to families throughout the state. The Louisiana alliance awarded their 2017 YMCA Legislative Champion Awards to State Senator Beth Mizell and State Representative Chris Leopold. Both lawmakers are champions of their local Ys and support statewide policies affecting YMCAs. 

Gordon Wadge, alliance chair and CEO of the Greater New Orleans YMCA, along with Jonathan Lee and Ron Smith, and staff at the YMCA of the Capital Area, successfully led a meeting with Governor John Bel Edwards regarding the Safety Around Water (SAW) drowning prevention program. Governor Edwards agreed to designate Johnny Anderson, his Deputy Chief of Staff for Programming and Planning, to be his liaison in working with the alliance. Mr. Anderson, who tragically lost his wife and one of his children in a drowning accident, is a passionate supporter of Safety Around Water efforts. Governor Edwards also said he will authorize the State Office of Public Health to help the alliance promote the program through radio and TV PSAs.

Louisiana advocates also congratulated Bob Jacobs, CEO of the YMCA of the Capital Area, on his retirement at the end of this month and recognized his significant on-going advocacy efforts while serving as alliance chair and public policy chair.