Early Education Teacher

Level Up 2026: Building skills, connections, and opportunity. Last updated: September 23, 2026, at 11:01 a.m. PT Originally published: September 23, 2026, at 11:01 a.m. PT The YMCA of Greater Seattle's Social Impact Center (YSIC) held its 6th annual Level Up: Youth & Young Adult Conference on August 7, 2026, at the Matt Griffin YMCA in SeaTac. The day brought together young people, YMCA staff, and community partners around one simple idea: everyone deserves a step up. Level Up is a high-energy, full-day conference designed to equip youth and young adults with real-world skills, leadership development, hands-on learning opportunities, and connections to community resources. This year, 147 youth and young adults walked through the doors to find life skills workshops, resource connections, music, food, and honest conversations. They left with new tools, connections, and a little more confidence in what comes next. By the numbers. * 147 youth and young adults attended, a 19% increase from 2025. * 60 Resource Fair partners participated in the Employment and Resource Fair, representing health and wellness, financial management, employment and education, civic engagement, and Y programs. * 8 Life and Skills Workshops offered hands-on learning, from meal preparation to financial literacy. * 90 Impactors helped make the conference possible, including 30 YSIC planning committee members and 60 day-of supporters. * Generous support from its sponsors helped fully fund the conference and provide giveaways and raffle prizes for participants. Life and Skills Workshops. This year, organizers used feedback from past participants to offer a diverse mix of workshops built to meet young people where they are, covering the practical and personal in equal measure: * Cooking 101 * Vision Boarding with Youth in Focus * Overdose and Harm Reduction * Mindfulness * Financial Literacy with Seattle Credit Union * Housing 101 * Resume Building * Music and Rhythm for Wellbeing Participants could also connect with additional resources and experiences throughout the day, including free haircuts, free state identification cards from the Department of Licensing, and the Red Cross Blood Donation Truck. Participant voices. "Going to Level Up took me out of my usual perspective and showed me how big the community actually was at the YMCA. So many people coming together to help and provide value in any way they can was overall a really positive and refreshing experience. I got free zoo tickets, learned to cook on a budget, and got lots of valuable exchanges at the job fair." "It's beneficial. Level Up is the best! To me, the event has resources for jobs to help us take the next step up in our future." "If I can do it, you can too!" Small moments from its workshops echoed the same message across every table: * Housing 101: "All the information is necessary and useful." * Vision Boarding: "I learned how freeing art can be." * Resume Building: "I understand my experiences better!" * Music and Rhythm: "I learned how music can affect your mood." * Overdose and Harm Reduction: "I learned anyone can overdose." * Understanding Credit: "Good and useful information. I learned how to maintain a good credit score." Who made this happen. Level Up is staff-led and youth-centered, and it takes a community effort. Thirty Impactors from YSIC's Behavioral Health, Housing, Foster Care, and Operations teams served on the Level Up Planning Committee, shaping the vision, content, and logistics since March. Another 60 Impactors, members of YSIC's Advisory Board, and partners from Human Resources, Marketing and Communication, Facilities, and Financial Development supported set-up, parking, check-in, lunch, the resource fair, and take-down on the day of the event. Six years in, Level Up reflects a One Y philosophy of care for both YMCA members and YSIC participants. As the YMCA of Greater Seattle celebrates 150 years, Level Up is one example of its continued commitment to creating opportunities for young people and strengthening its community. * foundry10 * Boston Consulting Group It takes vision and commitment from business and community partners to make a large community event like Level Up possible. Seattle YMCA appreciate the continued partnership of its sponsors and thank them for investing in youth and young adults across King County. Seattle YMCA would also like to thank The Zoo Society, Sound Transit, and Coffee Tab for their contributions. Level Up brings the YMCA Social Impact Center and the broader community together, creating greater opportunity and connection for young people. Every workshop, every resource table, and every conversation adds up to the same thing: a young person who leaves knowing a little more about how to build the life they want. Want to be part of Level Up 2027? Photo gallery. Coming soon!

New self-check blood pressure stations support community health at three YMCA locations. Last updated: July 7, 2026, at 3:03 p.m. PT Originally published: July 7, 2026, at 3:03 p.m. PT The YMCA of Greater Seattle is proud to partner with the American Heart Association to make it easier for its community to take an important step toward better health. New self-check blood pressure stations are now available at the Bellevue Family YMCA, Northshore YMCA in Bothell, and Matt Griffin YMCA in SeaTac, helping members monitor their blood pressure, learn more about heart health, and connect with medical care if needed. The stations are free for anyone 18 years and older to use during regular operating hours. High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke, yet many people don't know they have it. In Washington, nearly half of adults are living with high blood pressure, making regular monitoring an important part of maintaining overall health. Each self-check station provides a validated blood pressure monitor that members can use on their own in a designated space within the branch. Educational materials and visual guides are available to help members take accurate readings and better understand what their results mean. Free printed resources on high blood pressure and ways to lower it are also available in multiple languages. For members who do not currently have a healthcare provider, each station includes information about nearby community health clinics that offer low-barrier, low-cost medical care. These referral resources are designed to make it easier to connect with clinical care when follow-up is needed. By bringing blood pressure monitoring into trusted community spaces, the YMCA and the American Heart Association are helping remove barriers to preventive care and empowering people to take an active role in their health. Whether you're checking your blood pressure for the first time or monitoring it regularly, Seattle YMCA encourage members to stop by one of its self-check stations at Bellevue Family YMCA, Northshore YMCA, or Matt Griffin YMCA and take advantage of this free community resource.