The Walnut Street Y Mural commemorating Black History will be unveiled at Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2021.
Wilmington, DE. – The YMCA of Delaware announces the completion of several projects designed to support local youth at the Walnut Street YMCA in downtown Wilmington. Thanks to a $167,000 donation from Discover, the Walnut Street YMCA was able to renovate the Walnut Street Y Teen Innovation Center, provide much needed supplies for their Learning Support Center, beautify their building with a mural that celebrates the history of the Walnut Y and African American Culture, and provide free swim lessons through the Waterwise program.
“We are so grateful for our wonderful relationship with Discover and hope to continue it for years to come,” said Jesus De Las Salas, Downtown YMCAs Executive Director. “Thanks to their generous support, we are able to change lives and provide positive experiences for our youth. For many, the Walnut Y has become a safe haven, and now more than ever, our local youth need us.”
Each year, the Walnut Street Y provides a safe, welcoming space for more than 700 local youth. In 2020, they gave out more than 80,000 free meals to the community, built more than 230 future leaders through teen programs and gave more than 200 children the best summer ever in summer camp. Financial assistance is available to ensure everyone has access to Y programs, and the Walnut Street Teen Center is free for local teens.
“Showing our commitment to the community by volunteering with local organizations like the Walnut Street YMCA, that create better and brighter places to live, is a key priority for Discover. Today, we are proud to share the reveal of our most recent collaboration: The Touchstone Mural brought to life by Christian Kanienberg, which will now remain a part of the YMCA’s walls, and a part of the beauty of the city of Wilmington, for many years to come.” -Lisa Hower, Regional Operations Director at Discover.
The Walnut Street YMCA and Discover will celebrate Juneteenth with an Unveiling of the “Touchstones” mural and the Discover Teen Innovation Center on Saturday, June 19th, 2021 at 11 am. The “Touchstones” mural, which covers 80 feet in a hallway at the Walnut Street Y, was created by local artist Christian Kanienberg to honor the history of the Walnut Street Y and African American Culture.