From youth sports to academic enrichment programs, the YMCA of Central Kentucky’s partnership with local bank, WesBanco, exemplifies the organization’s legacy of community development and local involvement. WesBanco, a diversified, multi-state bank with a substantial presence in Kentucky, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to enriching the communities it serves, including here at the Y.
“At WesBanco we are committed to helping build strong, resilient, vibrant communities. Our five pillars of community development are: We include, We fund, We partner, We invest and We serve," explains Abdul Muhammad, Central/Southern Kentucky Market President, WesBanco.
Those pillars are reflected in their partnership with the YMCA of Central Kentucky, as WesBanco supports youth sports and programs like Power Scholars Academy®. For Abdul, there is synergy between the two organizations: "We support the YMCA because the YMCA supports the community. The Y is a place where our youth are positively impacted as they grow and develop. The Y is also about healthy living and social responsibility. These attributes mirror our focus on building strong, resilient and vibrant communities."
The commitment to the cause of the Y and the passion to serve all people in the community is personal for Abdul. "While on the advisory board at the High Street YMCA, I was asked to speak with young children while they sat poolside ready to learn how to swim - because I had learned to swim at the Y as a young boy. I surprised them by changing into my swimwear and diving into the pool in front of them. I wanted them to know that it's possible to learn, if they paid attention to the instructors and understood they were safe with them by their side. That small act excited them to learn," Abdul remembers. He continues about the impact of the Y on his own family now, sharing, "My daughter and son both learned to swim and play soccer and basketball at the Y. My wife and I continue to be members and support the Y as it seeks to engage our communities. I know the work and effort invested into the communities the Y serves; thus, I'm proud to be a member of the YMCA."
And so, in his role at WesBanco, Abdul is uniquely positioned to understand and advocate for the role of the Y in the community and why the bank's sponsorship is so powerful. "Through our efforts to support the YMCA, we know that youth throughout Franklin County were able to play sports this past year. We also know that students throughout Central Kentucky were able to advance their academic achievements over the summer in the YMCA's Power Scholars Academy® program by working on their literacy and math skills and participating in field trips and service projects."
Partners like WesBanco make it possible for diverse individuals and families to participate in YMCA services and programs in deeper, more connected ways. "The Y is a place that is open to all. You see people from different backgrounds and all ages at the YMCA. Families throughout the community are active at our Y. Children playing soccer, basketball and swimming. Adults exercising, swimming, playing sports, or just gathering to talk. It's a welcoming place with welcoming people," Abdul reflects.
By including, funding, partnering, investing, and serving, not only is WesBanco leaning into their pillars of community development, they're also leaving a legacy of generosity and impact. We're thankful for their ongoing support to make Central Kentucky a place for all to learn, grow, and thrive through the YMCA.
