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We’re taking a closer look at the YMCA of Coastal Carolina through Hatton Gravely, chief development officer
By Ashley Daniels
“I think that the number one thing for folks to know is just how much we’re growing to be able to impact people’s lives and to move into new communities that need our services,” says Hatton Gravely, chief development officer at the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. “It’s crazy when you look at the growth numbers.”
In fact, Gravely took her position at the YMCA, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, two years ago, when the newest location opened in Pawleys Island. The two other area YMCAs are located in Myrtle Beach and Georgetown, with one soon to open in Williamsburg County.
Beyond the typical amenities offered at the YMCA (pool, fitness center, gymnasiums, ballfields), the nonprofit also offers a number of programs, summer camps, and afterschool camps at area elementary schools.
“We’ve gone through a whole strategic planning process, and in the next five years, we are going to be expanding our community health work and support of the mental health in our community,” says Gravely. “We also have safety around water programs to teach kids and adults to swim and teen programs to get them college-ready.”
The YMCA of Coastal Carolina also recently secured funding from the state of South Carolina to launch YMCA programs on the Horry Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) campus in Conway and at HGTC on the Market Common campus. A director was also hired to oversee those programs and look into building in those areas.
In her role as chief development officer, Gravely’s day-to-day duties revolve around developing relationships and partnerships in the community with the YMCA through fundraising, marketing, and communication for the organization.
“So, my day can range from being in the office working on projects to mostly being out in the community either at events or meeting with people to expand our mission and our projects,” she says. “I’m not in the office all that much.”
The mom of two also has her own kids enrolled in YMCA programs, with her daughter playing soccer (and her husband, Will, coaching a team) and her son participating in Youth and Government, a national program that involves 2,000 kids in South Carolina that will travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to take over the State House and participate in a model legislature. Gravely is a chaperone.
This time of year, the YMCA launches its Hope and Possibilities financial assistance program that raises money for memberships and programs for people who cannot afford them.
“Anyone can participate in any of the programs or be a member of the YMCA, and if they can’t afford the fees, there’s a sliding scale, and they get a different rate so they can participate just like everyone else,” says Gravely. “All funds that are raised go directly to families in this community and support programs that we can offer.”
She says that something folks may not be aware of is the amount of swim lessons the YMCA teaches each year. For the past 10-plus years in Georgetown County, they have instructed every single second grader on the safety around water program.
“It’s not just swim lessons. It’s actually teaching them what to do if somebody’s struggling in the water, boat safety, and rip current training. Many of them do not know how to swim and are terrified of water,” says Gravely. “This past year, we taught all of the Myrtle Beach Primary second-grade students. We’re looking at teaching more kids and partnering with the schools to bring more kids through that program.”
Another YMCA offering that has been impactful is their weekly Parkinson’s Disease program, which is available at all three Y locations. The class is specifically designed to help those enrolled with motor skills and to become a tight-knit community within a community.
“I love the YMCA because of the impact it makes on people and the way it can transform this community and make a significant difference in people’s lives,” says Gravely. “The thing that drives me the most is how we have so much potential. YMCA is such a large organization that we have so many resources and so many tried-and-true programs across the country. The community of YMCAs loves to share, so if there’s a Nashville program, the YMCA staff is more than willing to share all of their marketing documents and materials with us. We’re working with a lot of different YMCAs to learn what they’re doing, but we’re still our own independent 501(c)(3) and have a board of directors, so all the money raised stays in the community.”
If you would like to donate to YMCA of Coastal Carolina or learn more about their many programs, visit Coastalcarolinaymca.org.