About Us

The Urban Services YMCA has deep roots in the East and West Oakland communities. It was formed in 2004 by organizing three inner-city YMCAs-Eastlake, M. Robinson Baker and the YMCA Teen Center--under a single umbrella.

Urban Services YMCA exists to serve the youth and families of Oakland’s most urban and impoverished schools and communities.  Urban Services YMCA provides programs and services to educate, engage, and empower people of all ages in order to nurture the potential of every child, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide support to our schools and communities.  

We achieve this using the YMCA’s three areas of focus: youth development and education, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Eastlake YMCA’s 15,000-square foot facility includes a full gymnasium, classrooms and outdoor play area. It is one of the largest providers of programs in the economically disadvantaged East Oakland neighborhood.

When the M. Robinson Baker YMCA opened in 1947, it was called the Northwest Oakland YMCA. When its building was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake; the community rallied to its aid. MRB reopened in 1996. The 15,000-square foot MRB facility provides place-based services to the community with a gymnasium, outdoor gardening area, classrooms and computer lab.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Kathleen Gushoney, Executive Director

LEADERSHIP STAFF

Jason Wallace - M. Robinson Baker YMCA Branch Operations Director

Jovan Long - Business Operations and Facilities Manager

Erika M. Walker - Evening Reporting Center Director

Michael Calhoun - School Site and Day Camp Director

 

Liz Penny - Eastalke YMCA Branch Operations Director