She called for a closer partnership with and increased support from the business sector in Miami Dade for all of the Y’s programs benefiting local underprivileged kids, young adults and seniors. “When it comes to collaborations and partners, I want to encourage you to think outside the box. I believe everybody here tonight could truly be a partner with the ‘Y’,” Woods said. “We have big plans to do more and serve more people in this community, but we really need collaborative work.”
Milner’s Brett Aks closed the presentation thanking guests and sharing the reasons why the entire Milner team is committed to the YMCA:
“Over the last 10 years, the Milner organization has lost three children to drowning. It’s been a big impact to us. We are mission-driven to [promote] water safety with regards to prevention,” Aks told the crowd, adding that he, too, had been a Y kid and had benefited greatly from its mentoring and youth programs.