YMCA of Greater Houston Increases Starting Pay for Front-Line Employees

HOUSTON, TX – The YMCA of Greater Houston announced today that the nonprofit will increase the minimum pay for all frontline full-time associates to $15 per hour and will increase the minimum pay for all part-time employees to $10 per hour effective Jan. 1. This adjustment in entry level pay is the first step in addressing equity within the organization and providing more livable wages for the Y’s frontline workers who have been instrumental throughout the pandemic. The associates who are impacted are employed in the following areas: administration, aquatics and lifeguarding, camp, child care, health, well-being & fitness, membership, sports and community outreach.

“We have been working on this initiative for several years and were able to formalize our commitment to a more livable wage as a result of the generous gift we received from MacKenzie Scott. With her donation, along with ongoing support from donors and Impact Members, we will be able to continue our efforts to make the community stronger while empowering our dedicated staff,” said Stephen Ives, president and CEO, the YMCA of Greater Houston. “In July 2020, we made a commitment to elevating equity awareness throughout the community by launching the YMCA of Greater Houston Equity Innovation Center Powered by Reliant. Our intention is to increase equity and inclusion starting with ourselves, and this entry level wage adjustment is just one of the ways we are taking action internally.”

After a loss this year of $50 million dollars of revenue due to the pandemic, the YMCA of Greater Houston will use the $18 million gift to sustain current efforts, as well as help, move forward with refined initiatives that end isolation, fight inequality, address food insecurity, inspire youth to thrive, promote health and wellbeing, remove limits and reimagine opportunities for all, and support refugees and immigrants.

The YMCA of Greater Houston is currently hiring for people that want to make a difference in the community. Job opportunities can be found at www.ymcahouston.org/careers. To learn more about how you can support the YMCA of Greater Houston, please visit www.ymcahouston.org/our-impact.