Health Update: Health Update: YWCA investing in health, wellness and community: Sereka Barlow – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
A community is strongest when everyone has a place to belong. In El Paso, that place has long been the YWCA. Now, with the community’s help, we are building an even stronger place of belonging.
On any given day, you’ll find El Pasoans of all ages at the Dorothy Woodley Hunt YWCA branch. Those using the fitness center are laughing, dancing, swimming, lifting weights, and building more than just muscles. The youngest are taking their first steps, saying their first words, and beginning to love learning. The building is full of life, community and pride.
I began my journey as CEO of YWCA El Paso del Norte Region by visiting each YWCA location and listening closely to our members. At the Dorothy Woodley Hunt branch, many shared that their time at the fitness center is central to both their physical and social well-being. They spoke with deep appreciation for the YWCA, the classes, and the staff — and with hope for continued investment in the facility they value so highly. Their message was clear: this community asset deserves to be as strong and vibrant as the people it serves.
Parts of the Dorothy Woodley Hunt building are 83 years old and it has served the community as a YWCA branch for since 1987. I know firsthand that investing in this location has been a priority for generations of YWCA El Paso leadership. I am truly honored to help lead the organization at a moment when we can deliver meaningful improvements at this branch, thanks to the unwavering support of the El Paso community.
Most recently, we have been honored with a critical gift from the Woody L. Hunt and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation, led by Woody L. Hunt, the son of Dorothy Woodley Hunt. Their generous gift of $625,000 is helping advance the next phase of improvements for the building and for the community we serve. The next phase of construction would not be possible without the foundation’s support.
Phase I of the work included more than $1 million in foundational and roof improvements, made possible through support from the city of El Paso via ARPA grants, along with generous, dedicated community members.
When completed, the Dorothy Woodley Hunt YWCA branch will stand as a powerful example of community investing in itself — government, philanthropy, and residents working together to ensure everyone has a place to belong.
On behalf of the entire YWCA El Paso del Norte Region, thank you to the El Paso community. Thank you to the Woody L. Hunt and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation for making the next steps of renovations possible. Thank you to everyone who made Phase I possible. And most of all, thank you to the YWCA members whose advocacy and pride in their community catalyzed these improvements and enabled incredible progress.
Sereka Barlow is CEO of YWCA El Paso del Norte Region.