YMCA of Greater Birmingham breaks ground on Roebuck community project

On Tuesday, September 26, members of the YMCA of Greater Birmingham, the Regions Foundation, local officials and community members joined together at the Northeast YMCA in Roebuck to break ground on a transformational community project.

Read on to learn more.

Bringing a transformational change to Roebuck

When you think of the YMCA, you probably think of a place where people go to exercise—that, or the catchy song by the Village People. However, the YMCA of Greater Birmingham is more than just a place to work out—its an organization dedicated to making positive changes in its community in several different ways.

“Five years ago, we had a unique and untested idea of how the Y could be a catalyst for change for Roebuck – a community in need. Since then, with the help of our volunteers, we’ve brought together a collaboration of partners, donors and community stakeholders to come to this point in time. Words cannot describe how proud we are to serve alongside these individuals and organizations and we look forward to the transformation to come for our collective community.”

Dan Pile, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Birmingham

Tuesday’s groundbreaking marked the beginning of a transformational project at the Northeast YMCA, which will include the renovation of the current 25,000 square-foot Northeast YMCA. The renovations will create a community resource center with increased early learning and programming for youth, teens and seniors. 

In addition to the renovation of the Northeast YMCA, the project will include:

• A clinic adjoined to the facility for federally-qualified health care provider Christ Health Center, with 15 exam rooms and a lab. This clinic will provide high-quality care to residents, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.
• The expansion of the YMCA’s First Class Pre-K learning program by creating up to two additional classrooms, offering early learning opportunities for 54 children.
• Outpatient counseling, mentoring and other services provided by Impact Family Counseling to address mental health and wellness.

“Our goal is just to support the Birmingham Community and make sure that our young people are taken care of. We have an abundance of difference community partners coming together to provide for our youngest and most vulnerable generation. We’re really proud of the efforts and the attention that this is getting, and we’re excited to see where it goes from here!”

Alicia Lumpkin–Whitfield, Board Chair, Northeast YMCA

23 new single-family homes in Roebuck

Finally, as part of the transformational project, the Y is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity to building 23 new single-family homes on the property around the Northeast YMCA. The well-lit and walkable neighborhood will be built through the Habitat for Humanity homebuyer model, which allows families to have a hand in building their home alongside volunteers. The future homeowners will be able to complete educations and pay an affordable mortgage to help build a better life.

“This is about more than meeting a single need; it’s about creating real solutions, bringing together affordable housing, health care, educational opportunities and more. The YMCA of Greater Birmingham is taking an innovative, thoughtful approach to addressing these needs, and the Regions Foundation is honored to support this work. I believe that, years from now, we will look back on today as the first day of a whole new, more prosperous chapter for Roebuck and surrounding communities in Northeast Birmingham.”

Marta Self, Executive Director, Regions Foundation

CCR Architecture is leading the design work on the project while WatsonBruhn has been selected as the lead construction firm.

Excited to see this new project in Roebuck? Tag us @bhamnow to share your thoughts!