West Garfield Park YMCA Celebrates Beam Signing at Sankofa Village Wellness Center and Welcomes New Executive Director Andre Goode
CHICAGO, July 16, 2025 — The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago proudly joined local community leaders, partners, and residents on June 10, 2025, at the Sankofa Village Wellness Center Beam Signing Ceremony, a major milestone in the development of the West Garfield Park YMCA, located in the Sankofa Village Wellness Center. This symbolic event marks a significant step forward in the construction of the transformative wellness center which will serve as a hub for health, healing, and opportunity in the West Side community, promoting holistic wellbeing for all.
“More than just a building, Sankofa represents a powerful collaborative working together to address the root causes of health disparities,” said Ed Heiser, Vice President of Community Impact & Operations, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “This initiative is a bold step toward closing the 13-year life expectancy gap between Garfield Park residents and their neighbors just five miles away in the Loop.”
The beam signing ceremony, held on-site at the future home of the West Garfield Park YMCA, brought together Garfield Park residents, architects, developers, and community champions, including State Senator Lakesia Collins, Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt, and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Senator Collins has been a steadfast advocate for the project, securing critical capital construction funding through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Her efforts have resulted in two earmarks supporting the Y’s contributions to the Village.
The Sankofa Wellness Village represents a collective commitment to revitalize the Garfield Park neighborhood. The West Garfield Y, housed in the Sankofa Village Wellness Center, will serve as the center of Village, bringing fitness and wellbeing services and offerings, youth programming, and economic development resources — all under one roof.
"We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with our partners, and we’re grateful to Leopardo, Ujamaa, and the trades for the work they’ve put into building a beautiful facility,” said Denise Turner, Senior Director of Community Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “We’re looking forward to welcoming the community to the West Garfield Park Y in 2026.”
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is also excited to announce the appointment of Andre Goode as the Executive Director of the West Garfield Park Y. A seasoned leader with over three years of experience with the YMCA of Metro Chicago, Goode brings his expertise from serving as the Y’s Vice President of Community Transformation and Kelly Hall YMCA’s Executive Director. Goode will work closely with community stakeholders and partners at the Sankofa Wellness Village and play a key role in transforming how we serve the West Side of Chicago.
“I am excited to be a part of the Sankofa Wellness Village collaborative and look forward to offering programming and services that reflect the rich storied culture of West Garfield Park,” said Goode.
The West Garfield Park Y is honored to be a founding partner in this historic initiative and looks forward to continuing its mission of strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
For more information about the West Garfield Park Y, visit westgarfieldparkymca.org. Learn more about the Sankofa Wellness Village and beam signing ceremony at sankofawellnessvillage.org.
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About the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is a regional leader in accessible, inclusive programming for more than 300,000 individuals each year, strengthening community by connecting all people to their purpose, potential, and each other. The YMCA of Metro Chicago is evolving to become a 21st-century social enterprise, reaching our communities through 20 community hubs — including five overnight camps — and more than 100 extension sites throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. Learn more about the Y's locations and programming at ymcachicago.org.
About The Sankofa Wellness Village
The Sankofa Wellness Village is a community-driven initiative led by residents, faith based and health care institutions, nonprofits and other partners in West Garfield Park. It consists of interconnected capital and social investments along the Madison Pulaski commercial corridor that will create opportunities for West Garfield Park residents of all ages to have access to health, wellness and recreation services, along with finance, entrepreneur support, business development, and access to healthy food and the arts. This walkable “village” will connect the Madison-Pulaski corridor with other new public and private investments — such as Garfield Park Community Plaza and Outdoor Roller Rink, and the New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church Campus. The four main components of the Sankofa Wellness Village include: The Sankofa Village Wellness Center, The MAAFA Center for Arts and Activism (the MAC), the “K” Entrepreneurship Development Hub and the Community Grocer Initiative.
MEDIA CONTACT
Molly Silverman
Chief Growth and Engagement Officer
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
773-612-7028
[email protected]