Our Legacy of Service

For over a century, the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA has stood as a pillar of strength and opportunity on Columbus’ Near East Side. As one of the first YMCAs in the nation to serve a historically Black community, the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA has built a legacy rooted in perseverance, equity and belonging. From STEM education for youth and safe spaces for teens to inclusive wellness programs for older adults, the Y continues to provide transformative programs that meet the needs of a neighborhood where over half of residents live below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line.

2026 Ward Legacy Honoree: State Senator Hearcel F. Craig

State Senator Hearcel F. Craig is Columbus born and raised, an East High School graduate and U.S. Army veteran who has given nearly two decades to this city through Columbus City Council, the Ohio House, and now the Ohio Senate, where he currently represents Ohio's 15th Senate District and holds the position of Assistant Minority Leader.

Senator Craig has brought real investment home to the Near East Side, including $1.65 million for the East Side Dental Clinic and $1 million to renovate the Ohio State African American and African Studies Community Extension Center. In addition, he led the effort that made Juneteenth a paid state holiday in Ohio and secured historic state site designation for Poindexter Village, protecting a piece of this neighborhood's story for generations to come.

Senator Craig is a longtime champion of public recreation centers and the young people who fill them, an Associate Minister at First Church of God, a Prince Hall Mason, and a life member of the NAACP.

State Senator Hearcel F. Craig

A Celebration With Purpose

Safe. Seen. Connected. marks the 19th Annual Ward Legacy Celebration — a tribute to the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA's rich history and a call to invest in the future. Your support ensures the Y remains a vital place of belonging for all ages. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lolita Haverlock (Phone: 614-389-4298, Email: lolita.haverlock@ymcacolumbus.org).

19th Annual Legacy Celebration

Safe. Seen. Connected.