The Family YMCA welcomes new CEO Chris Daniels and Board President Karen Easton. Courtesy/YMCA
YMCA Board President Karen Easton
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
There are some new leaders at the Family YMCA. In September, Chris Daniels became the CEO of the Family Y and in January, Karen Easton became president of the board.
“We wanted to introduce ourselves in our new roles,” Easton said. “We also wanted people to know what’s new at the Y and how we’ve been coping with COVID.”
Y CEO Chris Daniels
Daniels spent more than six years as finance director at the Family Y before stepping into his role as CEO.
“While my formal training is actually in social work and counseling, I have a well-developed background in nonprofit management that includes more than16 years of financial management for several different nonprofits,” Daniels said.
Prior to the YMCA, Daniels spent four years as the finance director at the Tuolumne River Trust in SaNew Leadership At Los Alamos Family YMCAn Francisco, Calif., whose mission focused on various issues related to San Francisco’s main source of drinking water.
“At the Family Y, we focus on living the values the Y embodies,” Daniels said. “It’s all centered around relationships and strengthening our Community.”
Easton first became involved with the Family Y 19 years ago as a mom with small children.
“I joined the Y babysitting co-op,” she remembered. “I made lifelong friends there. When I became a single mom, my kids were able to attend Bear Camp.”
Easton is the vice-president and branch manager at Century Bank in Los Alamos. She has more than 25 years of service and banking experience in management, private banking and wealth management.
“If it weren’t for the Los Alamos Family YMCA, I wouldn’t be sitting in this office today,” she said. “The Y has made my career possible and I wanted to give back.”
Easton was vice president and volunteer officer of the Y Board prior to becoming president.
“I’m humbled to be in this role,” she said.
Daniels and Easton are overseeing a Y still dealing with COVID-19.
“It’s been a turbulent ride,” Daniels said, but thanks to our strong group of employees at the Y we’re making it through.”
The Family Y has seen a drop of one-third in membership since the pandemic began, he said. That’s caused some financial hardship for the non-profit.
“We worked hard to maintain our programs,” Daniels said. “We’re optimistic. We’re not at risk of falling apart.”
One point of pride is the Y’s Covid-safe workout center.
“We’re here when you’re ready to come back,” Easton said.
For those who aren’t ready for in-person fitness experiences, the Y has a wide variety of online class offerings, from Zumba to its popular Silver Sneakers program for seniors.
“We’re reaching a new audience, which has been a silver lining,” Daniels said.
The Teen Center in Los Alamos is a real help with the anxiety and depression teens have experienced around COVID, Easton said.
“Engagement is really important, even if it has to be virtual,” she said.
The Espanola Teen Center, also managed by the Family Y has allowed students without the internet at home to use the Y’s internet connection, Easton said.
One new program in Los Alamos is childcare for the children of essential workers, which takes place at Aspen School. Elementary age kids are welcome from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“We have spaces available,” Easton said. “The Y never turns people away because of inability to pay. We’re here if you need us.”
“The Y has touched so many lives,” Daniels said. “A member who lost their job and needed physical therapy got help through a Y scholarship. She’s back on her feet and recently donated part of her stimulus check back to the Y.”
The Y Board hopes to bring back the Red and Black Ball this year, if possible.
“It’s not going away,” Easton said. “We hope by the latter part of the year we can hold our annual event.”
Daniels and Easton want the community to know that the Y is here and standing strong. Visit the Los Alamos Family YMCA online at laymca.org to learn more about the Y and its programs.