Henry Ford Allegiance Health Contributes $1 Million to Jackson YMCA Capital Campaign

Major gift in Healthy Heart Month, largest in HFAH history, includes Wellness Center naming rights

The Jackson YMCA and Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) announced the health system has pledged $1 million to the Y’s campaign to build a new facility and create a healthy living campus in the heart of Jackson. The contribution, the largest gift in the organization’s history, quickly follows the Consumers Energy Foundation’s announcement last month of a matching capital campaign grant of up to $3 million; the HFAH contribution includes naming rights to the Wellness Center in the new facility.

“Henry Ford Allegiance Health has long been dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the community, and we are pleased to partner with the Jackson YMCA,” said Henry Ford Allegiance Health President and CEO Paula Autry. “We are proud to answer the challenge grant with a significant investment in the new Y facility and our community, particularly during Healthy Heart Month. Physical activity is a key component of overall well-being, and the Wellness Center is an ideal fit for our organization.”

The Jackson YMCA is well over halfway through a $25 million fundraising effort to replace its 58-year-old downtown building with a new state-of-the-art facility. The $1 million pledge from HFAH, along with the $3 million matching grant, brings the total pledged contributions to $18.1 million.

“We believe positive, lasting change can only come about when we work with others, and we share Henry Ford Allegiance Health’s dedication to improving the health of Jackson,” said Jackson YMCA CEO Shawna Tello. “This incredibly generous gift affirms our vision to build a new Y and create a healthy living campus in the heart of our community.”

The Jackson YMCA is now in Phase II of a three-phase capital campaign. The current phase focuses on identifying collaborative partners whose expertise will expand the scope of the Y’s vision for a healthy living campus. This phase is expected to wrap up by the third quarter of 2020. The final phase, focused on identifying programming and space needs of collaborating agencies, is expected to conclude by the end of the year; following the successful conclusion of Phase III, construction would begin in 2021.

About the Jackson YMCA

Since 1896 the Jackson YMCA has worked to provide opportunities for individuals of all walks of life. The Y serves men and women of all ages, religions and economic backgrounds through programs focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Jackson YMCA moved into its current facility in 1962 and has undergone numerous renovations since that time.

About Henry Ford Allegiance Health

Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH) is a 475-bed health system in Jackson, Michigan. HFAH complements traditional acute care services with primary and community-based to support patients across the health continuum at every stage of life. With its Level II Trauma Center, Henry Ford Allegiance Health provides comprehensive care for severely injured patients. As a teaching hospital, Henry Ford Allegiance Health continually looks to the future with its Center for Health Innovation & Education and Graduate Medical Education program. Through its Health Improvement Organization (HIO), HFAH is also a national leader in forming community partnerships that innovatively address wellness and prevention needs across the region.

About Henry Ford Health System

Henry Ford Health System (Henry Ford Health) is a six-hospital system headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Henry Ford Health is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive, integrated health systems, recognized for clinical excellence and innovation. It provides health insurance and health care delivery, including acute, specialty, primary and preventive care services backed by excellence in research and education. Henry Ford Health is a 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient.

Media Contacts

Jackson YMCA – Bonnie Gretzner, 517-782-0537
Henry Ford Allegiance Health – Vicky Lorencen, 517-205-4945