Transcript- Episode 149: Building Belonging: How the YMCA Shapes Community Recovery with Victor Dominguez President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles Episode 149

Victor Dominguez [00:00:00]:

Nonprofit organizations are truly, are truly the heartbeat of community because we are serving communities every single day and are truly in tune of what is happening and the resources that are so desperately needed. And if we're really going to look at creating that overall economic stability, to create that long sense of belonging, the nonprofit organizations have to work together.

 

Christina Barsi [00:00:27]:

The workforce landscape is rapidly changing, and educators and their institutions need to keep up. Preparing students before they enter the workforce to make our communities and businesses stronger is at the core of getting an education. But we need to understand how to change and adjust so that we can begin to project where things are headed before we even get there. So, how do we begin to predict the future?

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:01:03]:

Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and host of this podcast.

 

Christina Barsi [00:01:11]:

And I'm Christina Barsi, producer and co-host of this podcast.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:01:29]:

And we are starting the conversation about the future of work. We'll explore topics like how education can partner with industry, how to be more equitable, and how to attain one of our highest goals: more internships and PCC students in the workforce. We at Pasadena City College want to lead the charge in closing the gap between what our students are learning and what the demands of the workforce will be once they enter. This is a conversation that impacts all of us. You, the employers, the policymakers, the educational institutions, and the community as a whole.

 

Christina Barsi [00:01:34]:

We believe change happens when we work together, and it all starts with having a conversation. I'm Christina Barsi.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:01:52]:

And I'm Salvatrice Cummo. And this is the Future of Work.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:01:54]:

Welcome back to the Future of Work podcast. I am your host, Dr. Salvatrice Cumo. Today, we're joined by Victor Dominguez, the first Latino President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. With over 24 years of service in the organization, Victor has held roles spanning from Executive Director to Chief Mission Advancement Officer. Under his leadership, the LAY has expanded programs like the Foster Youth Initiative, launched the Center for Community Well-being, and led powerful regional responses during times of crisis. We will be talking about how the YMCA redefines its role in Los Angeles as a central force in rebuilding community post crisis, especially through youth development, nonprofit collaboration, and systemic support. Victor, welcome to the show.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:02:45]:

Thank you. Salva Terese. Really appreciate being here. Thank you for having me.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:02:49]:

You know, I want to start our conversation by first thanking you and all of the work that you put into our response here with the Eaton fires. You were the first one to come aboard with us and respond to our crisis and we are incredibly grateful for that work. You were here with us every single day. And so thank you. Thank you for jumping in and helping out.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:03:12]:

Thank you so much, Reece, that the feeling is mutual. You were the first partner we called and the first partner to say yes and to stay committed to this work. I'm so forever grateful to PCC and the care that you have for your students, for your faculty, for your staff, but also for those who have been impacted by the fire.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:03:30]:

Thank you. Thank you. And you know, I like to always start the podcast with how did you get here? And so if you don't mind, let's dive right in, and then we'll circle back to how you've helped us here at PCC and helped our communities. You know, you've been with the YMCA now for over two decades, from what I understand, and I'm always curious about what drew someone to this work. So what drew you to this work initially, and what has kept you committed to the work?

 

Victor Dominguez [00:03:58]:

Great question, and thank you for that. When you say two decades, it's a long time to look back on why I'm here. But as I look back, it brings such joy to my heart because I can remember myself as a second-grade student at Bushnell Way Elementary School in Highland Park, California. Here, just here in Southern California, the teacher asked the question of what do you want to do as a career? Or essentially, the question was, who do you want to be when you grow up? And as she asked me that question, I looked right at her and I said, I want to be you. I want to be a teacher. I want to help kids. And as I gone through my school career, as I got to high school and I looked at a school, a college to attend, the first thing that I looked for was who's best at producing teachers. And that is why I applied at Cal State Fullerton and to train and to study to be an elementary school teacher.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:04:47]:

And during that time, there was another incredible human being who was my supervisor and said, Victor, you are great at student teaching, but I feel that your potential to and your heart could do really good work in working with community-based organizations. And that is in what started my career in working in the nonprofit sector. Been in the Y for 24 years. It has probably been the best decision that I've ever made. With the exception of saying or asking my wife to marry her, as well as the two kids, we decided to ensure that we can have a great family unit. But professionally, the why isn't a career. Professionally, the why has been a calling it's been a calling because as I look and read, and particular as we look at today with the fires, we look at some of just the things that are around us that are happening, that at times are out of our control. But as I look at the hurt, as I look at the opportunities and the potential of every child, it fills my heart, which is why I am still doing what I'm doing today.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:05:45]:

But most importantly, why I can still see myself for another couple of decades being there to support families. Hopefully, when this is all said and done, there'll be less stories of whether it be chronic disease or whether it be learning gaps or whatever it may be. I just hope that one day in the LA Y in particular, as we set our vision to show that everyone has a positive Y experience. I just hope that everyone has a positive experience, period.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:06:10]:

What a beautiful story. That's quite the journey. And the fact that you knew so young that this is what you wanted to be of service. And the theme is just being of service to the community. And you've, you know, you've taken that to heart. And speaking of being of service to the community, I shared earlier, you know, how impactful the Y was with us in responding to this devastating fires not too long ago. You know, I know what it looked like at ground level. Our audience may not.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:06:36]:

And so I wanted to ask if you could walk us through what did that look like at ground level when the Y comes in and assists with such a devastating crisis that we had, such as the Eaton fires. And how does that change, really, the lens and the perspective, how people see.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:06:52]:

The YMCA for many people that were not on the ground to see the devastation and to see the need, but to visualize it on television. Television said one story in regards to the devastation, being on the ground and being able to have conversations and to see the hopelessness, to see the resources that were so desperately needed, to see the confusion, but also to see individuals that gave of themselves, gave their time, their resources, or the opportunity to give a hug to those who were confused, to those who did not know what tomorrow is going to look like or where they were going to live or for their kids, when's that next meal? And being on the ground really demonstrated and illustrated so much why the importance of institutions like PCC and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, how we can be conveners of bringing people together from different backgrounds, from different segments of life to be of service to others, not just in the moment of devastation, but just in the moments of realities that we face every single day. And so Salvatrice, as I reflect back the why, that is who we are. That is who we are today and every day moving forward. We're an organization that is focused on the overall well being of our community. That is why within the new vision of our organization being the center for Community well Being, it is important that we are place based. It is important that we are community-centered. But it's critically important that we are people-focused so that we ensure that everyone in Los Angeles has a sense of belonging.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:08:37]:

I'm glad you mentioned that because that is a shift from perhaps maybe the traditional lens or mindset of our community when they think about the YMCA as a facility, as a central hub of a facility. But rather, you said it beautifully, just the center for Community Wellbeing and how the YMCA showed up for the community as an example in response to the fires. You know, that shift in mindset on how the community views the YMCA. Really curious kind of thinking through what that transformation might look like for communities moving forward in this vision of the Center for Well-Being.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:09:14]:

The YMCA Metropolitan Los Angeles. Today, we are the oldest and largest youth and family-serving nonprofit in the county of Los Angeles. About a half a million people in our 28 operating centers and our 210 program sites. But here's the challenge to that. In our service area of LA County, there's 10.1 million people who reside here, and we are impacting 500,000 individuals. There are so much opportunities that if we do not meet the community where they're at, the community then is not going to change their perception of the YMCA Metropolitan Los Angeles of being that traditional gym and swimming. We are a swimming gym in this sense; we have an incredible impact in our gymnasiums. We literally save lives in our swimming pool.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:09:59]:

But the why is so much more. The work we do with faith-based organizations, the work we do in community centers, in senior centers and teen centers, the work we do on the street with homeless population, the work we do with foster care, the work we do in regards to newcomer immigration population. There's so much incredible work that the only difference from then and now is that we're sharing it, we're telling our story, and we want to ensure that everyone in Los Angeles understand that the why is there for them.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:10:33]:

Thank you for sharing all of those examples of how YMCA is embracing the community and expanding beyond the Jim and Swim vision and original intent of the organization. And you have so many examples and so many initiatives. One that stands out the most to me is the initiative around foster youth can you share with the audience programs such as that? What does it reveal about the role of nonprofits and how it really kind of shapes more than just the future of the specific youth?

 

Victor Dominguez [00:11:05]:

There are 20,000-plus kids in the foster care system in Los Angeles County. In an average year, a foster child could move three times. And so when we look at consistency, when we look at opportunities for kids to have that sense of belonging, to have a home, to have a place they know that is stable and that they can attend and go there when they need a resource or may have a question, that's the reason why we, the YMCA Metropolitan Los Angeles having 28 operations, 210 program sites, all of that is great, but if we do not leverage that for good to meet a need in regards to foster care, kids here in Los Angeles so desperately need in regards to that consistency. So when a child now starts in Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles and they move to the South Bay or they then move to the Anaha Valley, the one consistency that will be there is their local Y. And that the promise we have made that a child between the ages of 12 to 26 that is currently in the foster care system will have free YMCA membership, free YMCA programs, no questions asked. And the whole purpose behind this is to ensure that integration happens, to ensure the fact that a kid can learn to swim, they can learn about civic engagement, they can learn about leadership, they can have resources such as mental health, food, and other essential items that may be needed. But the power behind this, to get to your question in regards to the role of nonprofits, this initiative will also be very intentional in partnerships. I often say that nonprofit organizations are truly, are truly the heartbeat of community because we are serving communities every single day and are truly in tune of what is happening and the resources that are so desperately needed.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:12:56]:

And if we're really going to look at creating that overall economic stability to create that long sense of belonging for the 20,000 individuals that are currently in our foster care systems, the nonprofit organizations have to work together. So I am opening up all of our doors. And so any nonprofit in this space or a nonprofit that can bring a youth program or service into our YMCA buildings are now open and we have currently 40 plus confirmed partners, our main partners being right now DCFS. I held a press conference with Director Brandon Nichols to make this commitment as well as Superintendent of LAUSD Alberto Carvalho. The three of us, with the 40 other partners, are committed to working together.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:13:44]:

What a beautiful example, and thank you for answering it in that way. It's about collective impact. It's about how the collective responds. And this is a beautiful example of how partners come together for a mutual outcome by leveraging each other's resources and assets and talent. Those types of initiatives are successful, you know, and I'll get into a little bit later on how you measure success outside of numbers. But you know, this is the Future of Work conference. And the YMCA is very invested clearly, in people and in community. So thinking about those two things, the future of work and how the YMCA invests in people and community, how is the YMCA outside of what you just shared with the Foster Youth Initiative, assisting and nurturing young people in building confidence and resilience and true pathways into success of whatever that pathway might be, whether it's through their career development, whether it's through personal development.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:14:46]:

Tell me a little bit more about that.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:14:48]:

Today, being the oldest and largest youth and family serving organization, the Y is uniquely positioned to be in front of many youth. Whether that be a day camp experience, whether that be sleepaway camps, we have the ability to create memories to last a lifetime. Today, the YMCA Metropolitan Los Angeles is the largest childcare and after-school provider. We also have unique initiatives, such as, as I just discussed, the Foster Youth Initiative or the Summer Get Teen Initiative, where every teenager in the county of LA has complete free access to all of our whys. Our camps today engage thousands of young people for free because they were impacted by the fires. As I mentioned, what we are currently offering to those who have been impacted by the fires, we also have the opportunity for young people to be civically engaged, to have that community pride through our youth and government program. And so there's so much Salvatrice that the Y doesn't provide. We have the facilities, we have the scalability, we have the people, we have the trust in our brand with all communities throughout Los Angeles County.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:15:57]:

So that's all there to be able to leverage to ensure that all kids in the county of Los Angeles has that positive experience, but most importantly, that sense of belonging.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:16:07]:

Thank you. Those are all incredible examples of the YMCA and its programs. And the YMCA has shown proven track records that yes, there's a cultivating around the youth and nurturing the youth, but also our adult community as well. We are all one community. Again, thinking about the future of work, what does the future of work look like when you think about it through the lens of community? And how does the Y fit into that grand vision?

 

Victor Dominguez [00:16:35]:

As I think of the why and I think of our future and I think of where our communities are today and where they're going, the why has to be a part of the entire fabric of our community. As mentioned, we're in 210 program sites have impact in nearly every neighborhood throughout the county of Los Angeles. We have to play a role in how we are advancing and supporting our local governments, our local school districts, our local community-based organizations, work in partnership with our faith-based organizations as well as community groups. We also, as I look into the future, can also support the community and where we're going because we are on the ground, because we're in tune to many of our constituencies throughout the county of LA. I also feel that together we can be a solution or part of a solution to some of the significant issues that are trending in our community. Whether that be homelessness, whether that be hunger, whether that be learning gaps, whether that be work around civic engagement. I think the why has a significant role. We can't be one of the most trusted brands with such scale if we're not going to leverage that to do good.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:17:46]:

So as the community goes, the why will be there right alongside of it. But I hope when we put the two of us together, there are some healthy solutions long term that are coming away from the why. Truly being a partner to all segments of community.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:18:04]:

I love how you responded that because what caught my attention the most is when you said the YMCA is the fabric of the community and that speaks volumes. I think that the YMCA has had a history and a brand that demonstrates that, but also has been leaders in many different spaces within our community that is assisting and partnering and solving complex issues within our community and being committed to it as well. Like some of these complexities and in our future of work, using that as one of the examples or in response to a crisis or in education, government, the why has been point center in a of those conversations and solution based programming. And so I thank you, thank you for sharing that because sometimes again it goes back to what we talked about earlier. The YMCA is a community of well being. Part of that well being is the YMCA kind of positioning themselves in these spaces of complexities because, because of all the reasons of who YMCA is and what they've been able to do for our community, what they continue to do for our community. And I really appreciate you saying it in that way and through that lens. I think it's our listener to understand that as well.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:19:19]:

I mean you play a huge role in education as well, you know, as a practitioner in the space, and you know, when we think about a lot of these programs and our positions within These programs, we like to measure success. Right. And so I'm also thinking about how does a YMCA measure success? Right. Not just from a strictly numeric metric standpoint, but changing lives. How are we measuring that as an organization?

 

Victor Dominguez [00:19:47]:

Great. I love this question. And this question is probably in regards to a new strategy we just implemented around how we're going to measure our long-term impact over the next seven years is probably one of our most ambitious goals that we have set out. And the Y being the center for Community Well-being. And I think at the end of the day, it's about answering two questions. It's about answering question number one. If the YMCA no longer existed in the community, what would the community look like? Question number two would be if the why was relevant in meeting community needs, what could the community look like? And the way that we're going to do that? Within the Center for Community Wellbeing framework, we have three areas of impact. We created a youth development model which is engaging a child from birth to the age of 26.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:20:29]:

And as I mentioned, we created a number of programs, services, and experiences which we're calling the Continuum to well-being, which is critical. The second area of impact is healthy living. Ensuring that everyone in Los Angeles has a pathway to belonging that addresses whether it be chronic illness, whether it be isolation, whether it be mental health. There's going to be many programs, services and experiences that we're also going to evaluate through this concept of the pathway to belonging to address many of our health outcomes. The third area is what we're focused on is area of impact is social impact, ensuring that the why is relevant, but at the table, addressing our community's most pressing needs. And I mentioned a few of those. Whether that be homelessness, whether that be our immigration integration work, whether that be hunger.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:21:25]:

It is critical and important through our work in social service and social impact that the why is at the table and we are part of solutions. And then, when we look at how we're going to accomplish all this, what is going to be our approach to this? As I mentioned, we have places, we have facilities that are resource centers. They will happen there. They will also happen out in community, which is that community centered piece. And then they will happen with being people focused. And that's with our team, that's with volunteers, and that is with community members. But as we do all that, we also need to be focused on what we're trying to measure. So I just contracted out for the next seven years with two incredible researchers out of UCLA that are going to be with us for the next seven years.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:22:12]:

And for the very first time, we just hired a new director of data evaluation and research, and they have been tasked to work with my 2,500 individuals that are currently on payroll, our 600 policy volunteers and our 15,000 program volunteers today is to look at five social determinants of health outcome. We're going to measure belonging at the local program level. So it could be a program in Van Nuys. We're going to measure then the Mid Valley YMCA, which as an operation that serves the Van Nuys Pacoima area. And then when I bring all of it together in regards to the 27 other operations, we're then going to then measure belonging in regards to a collective of wise. The second area in which we're going to measure our impact is around civic engagement. That's through being able to ensure that every Angeleno, everyone in the county of Los Angeles, understands and is a participant to this concept and idea of spirit of volunteerism, the spirit of service, and everyone is truly embedded within community life of what's happening. The third area in regards to the social determinants of health in which we're going to impact is around education equity.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:23:29]:

It is critical and important that all kids have the opportunity to learn. All kids have the resources that is needed to have them become a successful student, but also their caretakers, whether it be a parent, a grandparent, an older sibling, a resource parent, whoever that may be. We are all responsible in ensuring that a child has the opportunity for a successful education. The fourth area we're going to measure is around health equity. It's also critical that everyone, whether it be a senior adult, a child doesn't have to feel helpless or hopeless, but has the opportunity to live a healthy life and have the resources that are available in order to do that. And then the fifth area is around economic stability. You know, Salvatrice, if we are successful, we will truly create economic opportunity, create economic stability in every community, every neighborhood in Los Angeles county, not just for individuals, but for communities. And I think that when it's said and done in seven years, I am hopeful that we will be one of the first organizations, nonprofits, to truly measure the impact of who they are and where they're going and to be able to answer those two questions.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:24:52]:

The question of if the why no longer existed in the community, what would the community look like? But most importantly, over the next seven years, to be able to ask the question, because we were relevant, because we met community where community was, this is what Community looks like. And I am hopeful and confident that we will be able to answer those questions in seven years.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:25:12]:

I know so. I know so for sure. No doubt about it. I really enjoyed listening to those five. So, make sure I got this straight. So the five measurements are belonging civic engagement in the spirit of service, education, equity, health equity, and economic stability.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:25:28]:

And I sometimes get lost in my words because I get so passionate about this work. So, thank you for ensuring that your audience knows those five outcomes. And we invite your audience to be a participant in this. The why cannot do this alone. We need everyone. And this isn't about the why. This is about our community, the community that we all so much love. And I am confident that if we work together and we're unified, I think LA will continue to be such the beautiful place that we all so love.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:25:55]:

Absolutely. I have no doubt. I have no doubts at all. And it's no wonder why you've had such an amazing career rooted in service. And you could feel the passion in your words, as you said, oh, I have a lot of work, you know, you know, I'm constantly talking about this because you have passion, you have feeling, you have heart and soul behind the service. And that's what stands out. Not only you as an individual, but as representing, you know, Metropolitan LA of YMCA. So, thank you.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:26:25]:

I really thank you for that. And given that right, like given your career has been rooted in service from jump, and we could feel it, we could see it, we could hear it. What is one piece of wisdom that you would want our listeners to carry with them, especially those that are working to rebuild in their communities?

 

Victor Dominguez [00:26:44]:

For me, and I think it's not only for your listeners. I think it's also for me as a person that's trying to do good work every day, but also to also find opportunities of hope is to know and understand the importance of being. Wow, that's critical. I think the concept of do good, I think if we do good, that fills us up mentally, spiritually. And I think the other piece, however someone wants to define it, but finding it within themselves to lead that change within themselves or for community or for a cause. I think for me, I ask myself that every single day. How do I be well, how do I do good and how do I lead change?

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:27:26]:

Thank you. I wrote those down for myself. How do we be well, how do we do good and how do we lead change? I love that. And that's applicable to any area of our careers, any. Our students who are listening, our practitioners that are listening, our legislative officials that are listening. Those are all questions that we should be asking ourselves every single day in the work that we do. And we spend so much time in these environments, and it provides purpose. We're leading with purpose, I think, is what I captured from you.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:27:56]:

And I really, really appreciate that because again, it's applicable to anyone in any profession and those who are listening. Victor, this has been an incredible conversation. I genuinely appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Know that PCC is here to be of service with you in anything and everything that the YMCA has going on. So please, I mean, you're very well connected to our community, clearly, but know that even from the perspective and lens of the Division of Economic and Workforce Development here at Pasadena City College, we're committed to serve as well. So if we could be of service to you and to your initiatives and your programs, count us in.

 

Victor Dominguez [00:28:34]:

Thank you, Salvatrice. Appreciate your time, and thank you for all the good work that you do. And thank you to PCC.

 

Salvatrice Cummo [00:28:39]:

You bet. Thank you so much. Thank you for listening to the Future of Work podcast. Make sure you subscribe on your favorite listening platform so you can easily get new episodes. And every Tuesday, you can reach out to us by clicking on the website link below in the Show Notes to collaborate, partner, or just chat about all things Future of Work. We'd love to connect with you. All of us here at the Future of Work and Pasadena City College wish you safety and wellness.