Shout Outs

Justin Kopanko was honored with the Cause Driven award at the Chapter 25 Spring, 2025 YPN Conference. Presented to an individual who demonstrates achievement in collaborating and networking outside of the YMCA to increase partnerships for the YMCA. He has gone outside the walls of the YMCA and partnered with different corporate groups or organizations that has benefited our YMCA. Justin has strengthened the community through healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility. The Altavista Area YMCA is fortunate to have Justin Kopanko as a member of the Leadership Team.

The Altavista Area YMCA received the 2025, 3 into 1 Community Project Award for impactful health and wellness programming in the community.

Tammie Wageman was honored with the Program Director of the Year award at the Chapter 25 Spring YPN Conference. This award is given to one recipient in the state of Virginia.

She has continued to grow the YMCA through thoughtful, and impactful programming. The community that the Altavista Area serves has benefited from such programs as Can Good Drive, Teen Night, Personal Hygiene Drive for area students, a Veteran’s Honor wall, and more. Tammie is a valuable part of this organization, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Brynn Simons, Child Development Director, was honored with the Association Cause Driven Leader award.

She started the infant program at our YMCA, which serviced a big need for our community. She expanded the program to include 2 preschool classes and 2 toddler classes. Brynn started the childcare program at Brookneal.

She has assisted employees find help with housing, food, eviction notices and more. Brynn has paid for meals, groceries, clothes, and toys for employees. It is not unusual to find a staff person in her office who needs a place to feel safe, to share the stress they are under, to help solve a dilemma with a child or review the weekly classroom syllabus. We are fortunate to have her on the YMCA team.

The Altavista Area Y is honored and excited to announce that Centra has awarded the Y a 2023 grant which allows us to offer affordable PreK education and after school care to the children in Brookneal. Centra’s mission is to improve the health and quality of life for the communities they serve. They do this in large part by fostering relationships with the Y, their community stakeholders. Through the Centra Community Grants they are supporting the good work as a partner in their combined efforts to achieve improved health for all.

Altavista Area Y was awarded a Youth & Government grant from the Va Alliance of YMCAs. It allows local high school students to serve in model governments at the local and state levels. Through the program, students learn how to advocate for their ideas, and how bills become laws in Virginia, and students leave knowing how to remain active in their communities.

The National YMCA Power Scholars grant provides 25 kids from Altavista Area YMCA, an academic and enrichment summer program. Over 2,923 kids with 8 YMCAs participating in the Commonwealth participated last summer. Across the state there was an 87% attendance rate, 1.5 month increase in literacy skills, and 2.0 months increase in math skills.

The Y was voted “Best Weight Loss Center”, “Best Childcare Center” and “Best Fitness Center” in our community. Thank you. We are proud to be able to serve our neighbors with excellent programming.

Tammie Wageman, Business and Membership Director received the 2023 Cause Driven Leader award within the VA Alliance of YMCAs for her outstanding work in community programming. Tammie has helped countless of individuals through her innovated programming and outreach initiatives.

Our CEO, Maria McCracken, will be serving on the board of directors for the VA Alliance of YMCAs. The Alliance is comprised of 27 independent Ys, serving 100 communities throughout the Commonwealth. The Alliance brings Virginia Ys together to improve the effectiveness and capacity of YMCAs to better serve their members and communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia through key initiatives and programs at a statewide level. Members of the Alliance work with local, state, and national organizations and leaders to support the Y movement and our cause.