Our Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Our Values
Y programs, activities and relationships teach and model Christian values—caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith are evident in all that we do. The Y is community centered. Since 2007, we’ve been listening and responding to our community.
The Y brings people together. We connect people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gaps in community needs.
The Y nurtures potential. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. The Y has local presence and national reach. We mobilize local communities to effect lasting and meaningful change.
Our Cause
We are committed to strengthening community. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the community’s health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back by supporting our neighbors.
Our Impact
There is no other nonprofit quite like the Y. That’s because we have the presence and partnerships to not just promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The impact of the Y is felt every day when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child and when a community comes together for the common good.
Our Vision
To create a community where people have the opportunity to live healthy, all youth can be safe and reach their potential and the elderly have support to live quality, independent lives.
Our Leadership
Executive Leadership
CEO
Trey Oakley – “I work at the Y to make an impact in the community. The Y changed my life as a child and I hope through my involvement, that I can do the same for someone else.”
CFO
Holly Magid – “I work here because… It feels great to be a part of something that is making an impact in our community in so many ways. We are changing lives and I see the difference we are making in people every day.”
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Chief Operating Officer
Lauren Wilson – “I work for the YMCA because I believe the YMCA is positioned to assist the most pressing community needs at the local level while strengthening the community as a whole.” Lauren has several years of program development and evaluation experience that she uses to seek, apply, and receive funding for all of the YMCA’s programs and services through grants and annual fundraising.
Mitchell County Associate Executive Director
Bill Hoag – “I am eager to work at the new YMCA, as it will bring a new area of growth and impact to Mitchell County. The new YMCA is a puzzle piece that will have a multigenerational effect in Mitchell County. I look forward to serving the community as we open the new Mitchell YMCA. Our community is better together.”
Human Resources Director
Edie Young – She discovered the YMCA as a girl, participating in gymnastics, swimming, and summer camp. Edie is always smiling and believes “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” (Helen Keller). She chose the Y because it feels amazing to know that what she does every day makes a difference in our shared community.
Association Leadership
Association Healthy Living Director
Katie Willet – “I am so excited to be a part of the YMCA team and the Mitchell County Y initiative. As a physical therapist in the community, I can see firsthand that bringing YMCA opportunities to Mitchell County will make a large impact on the greater health and wellness of our community. I love working with all ages, encouraging movement, building relationships, and community interaction.”
Association Membership Director
Jessica Hurlbert – “I feel so honored to work at the Y because I get to see the positive impact we have on people’s lives daily. Whether it be a program, a hand up, a class, a simple word of encouragement, or even just a smile, we get to help change lives for the better.”
Association Youth Development Director
Mollie Allen – “My background in teaching naturally led me to this role at the Y. I’m passionate about education, and I love that this position allows me to combine that passion with community service. It’s incredibly rewarding to support students across our counties and contribute to their growth both in and out of the classroom.”
Funds Development Leadership
Fund Development & Accountability
Dennis Betz – He has more than thirty years of nonprofit and business management experience—sixteen years experience in proposal and budget development, data management and program evaluation. Additionally, Dennis has successfully designed innovative projects, budgets and developed proposal for securing over $40M for nonprofit organizations.
Marketing and Mitchell County Annual Campaign Director
Alex Robertson – “Stories matter. So, at the Y, I have the opportunity to be a story-teller—sharing with our community all of the miracles we see daily in our facilities, programs and outreach efforts. I am grateful to be part of the larger Y story being written in Avery and Mitchell counties.”
Youth Development Leadership
Avery County Director of Youth Development
Skyler Sudhoff – “I work for the YMCA because I’m deeply passionate about empowering the next generation and making a positive impact on the lives of young people. As the Director of Youth Development, I find immense joy in guiding and supporting the children in my program, helping them grow into confident, caring individuals. Serving my community through this role is not just a job for me, but a calling that brings fulfillment and purpose every day.”
Mitchell County Director of Youth Development
Burton Blankenship – He has a Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 Physical Education with 29 years experience as a physical education teacher at various levels. “I love seeing young students enjoying their after school hours completing homework, creating artwork, interacting with community volunteers and socializing with friends and staff members.”
Child Care Director
Jessica Sullins – “I enjoy working for the Y because it allows me to be a crucial part in the early development of the future of the youth in our community.”
Outreach Leadership
Community Outreach Director
Sheila Bauer – “I absolutely love helping people. Watching their faces when we at the YMCA have helped them to make a difference in their lives is a wonderful feeling. Knowing that when you have helped to make a change for the better in someone’s life is one of the best feelings in the world. That tells me we do and can make a difference. Our mission statement is being fulfilled thru spirit, mind, and body.”
Community Health Worker
Anabel Zayas – “I recently received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from Appalachian State University. I want to use my degree to give back to the community by helping the Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey communities with food security and healthy living. I am determined to reach the Hispanic population in all three counties and serve as a bilingual resource for them and all their health needs.”
Membership Leadership
Mitchell County Membership Coordinator
Teresa Thomas – ” Working at the Mitchell YMCA helping our members understand, and take advantage of, the facility and all we offer is truly inspirational. I absolutely love how this facility has brought our community together.”
Avery County Membership Coordinator
April Dugger – ” I love working at the Y because I get to connect with people from all walks of life every day, sharing stories, laughter, and support. I’m grateful to be apart of a community that truly cares about others and creates a welcoming space for everyone. It’s incredibly rewarding to help people feel like they’ve found a place where they belong, and to be apart of something that changes lives for the better just as the Y’s programs, members, and fellow staff have changed mine.”
Wellness/ Group Exercise Leadership
Mitchell County Healthy Living Director
Jessica Thomas – “I enjoy working in the evidence-based health interventions and community assistance services offered by the Healthy Living Center in Mitchell County and being a part of the larger Williams YMCA of Avery team. I am a Registered Dietitian with 12 years of experience working with the local community on preventative nutrition care. This position allows me to continue that work to include a whole body, mind, and spirit approach.”
Avery County Wellness Program Coordinator
Adam Phillips – “I work at the Y because of the relationships I build with the community here. I love being a part of a healthy lifestyle change in our members and seeing how it changes their lives.”
Mitchell County Wellness Program Coordinator
Dalton Towe – “I enjoy working for the YMCA because it lets me support people in building healthier lives while being part of a mission-driven Christian community. It’s rewarding to contribute to a place that focuses on growth, connection, and making wellness accessible to everyone.”
Aquatics/ Recreation Leadership
Senior Recreation Director
Faith Boyette – “I love working at the YMCA, especially the pool, because it’s one of the few places where I get to interact with members of all ages. On any given day, I get to babble with babies, argue with middle schoolers about Marvel movies, work with high schoolers, and receive advice from members older than me. I truly love working here!”
Mitchell County Aquatics Director
Samuel Reiger – “I enjoy working for the Y because it allows me to help people gain an essential life skill that promotes both safety and confidence. Swimming plays a vital role in health, wellness, and even saving lives, and I’m proud to be part of integrating that into the community. Seeing members grow through aquatics and knowing it supports the Y’s mission of building a stronger, healthier community is very rewarding.”
Avery County Aquatics Director
Sidney Cooper – “I’m excited to work at the YMCA because I love my community. In a small town, spaces like the Y are vital for health, wellness, and community building. I’m excited to build connections and hang out with folks at the pool!”
Avery County Recreation Coordinator
Kierstin Johnson – “I love working at my job because it allows me to build meaningful relationships with our members while fostering a positive and welcoming environment for the community. I am passionate about encouraging healthy lifestyles and supporting individuals in achieving their personal wellness goals. Hearing members share their stories and the ways the Y has positively impacted their lives is truly inspiring and reinforces the purpose and value of the work we do each day.”
Facilities Leadership
Facilities Director
After more than 30 years of coaching, working out, and working in gyms, the Y is a natural fit for me. I am happy to be a part of an organization that follows Christian principles of caring for and loving people. In my first few weeks at the Y, I have discovered that in addition to working out, playing, and swimming, the Y brings hope to those who are struggling and food to those who are hungry. Providence brought me to the YMCA, realizing a dream I had as a young man to be part of such an organization. The people here are fantastic! They are like-minded in that they care about people and the community, they work to improve lives, and they have a lot of fun doing it! Thankfully, I get to be a part of it!”
2024 Board of Directors
Chair
Treasurer
Mr. Jesse Pope 2017
Ms. Talia Freeman 2020
Dr. Kyle Wilson 2021
Mr. Josh Aldridge 2023
Ms. Janna Avery 2023
Mr. John Wilson 2023
Mr. Mark Smith 2024
