Nonprofit Leader: Andrew Hoffman, Executive Director, Douglas Dayton YMCA

Article by Becky Fillinger 

Andrew HoffmanDid you know we have a downtown YMCA with multiple floors for fitness? Fitness programming is just the tip of the iceberg at the Douglas Dayton YMCA. We talked to Executive Director, Andrew Hoffman, about community engagement, innovation and, of course, fitness offerings at our local YMCA. 

Q:  Please tell us about the Douglas Dayton YMCA facility at 651 Nicollet Mall.

A:  The Douglas Dayton YMCA has many amenities, including a fitness center, multiple fitness studios and a four-lane swimming pool located inside of Gaviidae Common in downtown Minneapolis. We offer personal training, Pilates reformer, group exercise classes and volunteer opportunities.

Right below the fitness center is the George Wellbeing Center. At the George Wellbeing Center we strive to put whole-person, integrative lifestyle care at the frontline of health and wellbeing – and make it personalized and accessible to all.

Q:  The YMCA’s mission states “we believe that in order to strengthen communities, we must understand the current issues and foresee the future needs of the people and communities we serve. We measure success by our positive impact on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.” Please tell us how Douglas Dayton YMCA evaluates current downtown community issues and puts together programs to garner positive outcomes?

A:  The Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae is committed to downtown Minneapolis and the surrounding community. We demonstrate that each day through our work on behalf of the individuals and families who live here. This commitment calls on us to be responsive to the changing needs of our community.

For our community downtown, we have seen tremendous change since the onset of COVID. Yet, for many the Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae provides normalcy and a sense of routine during an otherwise uncertain time. We pivoted to deliver nearly 10,000 hours of fitness through 365 classes per month virtually. In addition, at the Y, we have continued to provide in person cycling, yoga and other group fitness classes while concurrently offering virtual opportunities for those who were not yet ready to take classes in person.

Above and below, photos of the spacious, welcoming facilities.

In response to the Minneapolis Educators strike, Beacons after school programming moved from Edison High School to the Douglas Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae. Students continued to have access to gathering spaces and open gym times with their Beacons staff members. Clubs continued to meet, including the Somali Cultural Club that utilized the Y’s Fitstudio space to lead dance rehearsals in preparation for an upcoming Somali Cultural Club Showcase performance.

We continue to lean into community. Last year, we participated in National Night Out at Commons Park and we plan on participating this year at Commons Park and Gold Medal Park. We also partnered with the mpls downtown council to host the Chameleon Program that directly benefited Latino Businesses. We continue to collaborate with the Downtown Improvement District DID) in helping to bring back the vibrancy of downtown.

Our Equity Innovation Center of Excellence continues its work to support individuals and organizations on their equity journeys. Our team provides educational and enrichment experiences virtually and in person based on the client’s preference. The YMCA Equity Innovation Center is here for everyone to intentionally engage in thought-provoking experiences and resources that will expand their knowledge and skills. Together we can create sustainable change and shift inequitable systems in our communities so that all can thrive.

Q:  How do you hope to interact with the downtown community of potential members – those who live in downtown and those who commute in for work?

A:  Most importantly, our Y is for all. The Y is a nonprofit organization that fundraises money each year to ensure all can participate in the many services the Y provides. We hope to engage the downtown community through innovative wellness offerings and volunteer opportunities, and work with corporations, educators, government and community organizations in promoting cultural competency, fostering equity, diversity & inclusion, and understanding unconscious biases.

Q:  You are an advocate for education. You put together an endowment fund in 2015 to assist the continuing education of YMCA team members. Please tell us more about the Employee Education Endowment Fund.

A:  In 2012, I made my first gift towards the YMCA of the North’s Employee Education Endowment Fund. This fund helps YMCA of the North team members in their educational endeavors. Since 2015, when we awarded our first scholarship, we have given out over $12,000.

Q:  Your LinkedIn profile mentions that your role at the Y expanded to continue the charrette process. What is that process and how does it benefit the Y?

A:  Here at the Y we continue to look for ways in innovate and be relevant. The charrette process brings together community leaders to help us solve a problem together and put together a path forward.

Q:  Does the Y offer volunteer opportunities?

A:  The Y has many ways to volunteer, whether that be serving on our Advisory Boards to working hands on with youth or adults. We also have opportunities for employees groups within a business to volunteer together.

Q:  How may we follow news and event at the Y?

A:  We encourage everyone to check out our social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter – as well as our website with a page for Dayton Y and the news and events section.