Recognized as the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year

When the Cross Timbers Family YMCA was named 2025 Nonprofit of the Year at the 20th annual Unity in Communities Luncheon on July 28, the honor celebrated far more than one organization’s success. It recognized a local institution whose impact and influence reach across generations, supporting children, families, and neighbors who need a place to turn.

Hosted by the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce, the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Highland Village Business Association, the annual luncheon spotlights organizations that help strengthen the communities they serve. For Cross Timbers YMCA Executive Director Jason Walters, the accolade belongs to the people who make the Y’s work possible each day.

“Honestly, it’s great just to be recognized for our effort and hard work,” Walters said. “It truly is a team effort.”

Located at 2021 Cross Timbers Road, the Cross Timbers Family YMCA provides amenities many Flower Mound residents have come to love. Its facility includes a gymnasium and basketball court, outdoor pool, fitness center with strength and cardio equipment, cycle studio, group-exercise space, family locker rooms and Childwatch services. Yet Walters hopes the community sees the organization’s role in broader terms.

“I want people to know that we are more than a swim and gym,” he said. “The Y is a community resource. We treat everyone like family, and we don’t turn anyone away because of an inability to pay.”

This philosophy remains central to the YMCA’s mission. Members can find not only fitness resources but also social connections. Family-centered opportunities, such as Adventure Guides, where parents and children share outdoor activities, campouts and community adventures, also play an important part in this role. The Y’s offerings reflect the varied needs of the people who walk through its doors, from a child learning water safety to an older adult maintaining an active lifestyle.

As Walters puts it, the YMCA is there to “serve the young to the wise.”

Serving Beyond Its Walls

The Y’s community commitment also extends beyond recreation and wellness. One example is its Food Blessing Program, coordinated with the Tarrant Area Food Bank. Volunteers organize and bag food before distributing “blessing bags” to local residents through a designated drive-thru location.

Cross Timbers Family YMCA also works in partnership with organizations that address family needs from different angles. Walters pointed to Love For Kids, Inc., including Vice President of Public Relations Fred Whitfield, as well as Christian Community Action (CCA) as important local partners.

These two local nonprofits are an integral part of the YMCA’s broader mission. Love For Kids supports low-income families and children through resources, support, and volunteer-driven outreach. Christian Community Action serves neighbors experiencing poverty through programs intended to provide immediate help, long-term support, and a path toward stability. These partnerships connect residents with assistance most suited to their circumstances.

“We serve as a community resource for other nonprofits,” Walters said.

This collaborative spirit is especially meaningful in Flower Mound, where nonprofit work often succeeds through relationships forged by local businesses, schools, and other nonprofit organizations. By serving as a community center, Cross Timbers YMCA helps turn those relationships into tangible support for local residents.

Creating Memories That Last a Lifetime

For Walters, some of the most meaningful YMCA stories come from summer camp. He began his YMCA journey as a day-camp counselor, an experience that still shapes how he sees the organization’s impact. He recalls the energy of camp, the growth children experience, and the lasting difference summer camp can make in a young person’s life.

Those memories reinforce the value of community involvement. For residents considering volunteering, Walters’ message was simple: “Don’t hesitate. It is so rewarding. And what you will receive in return will warm your heart.”

Cross Timbers YMCA’s Nonprofit of the Year award represents a well-deserved moment of recognition, reflecting the everyday work and support it provides to the community. It is reflected in a volunteer packing food, a child gaining confidence at camp, and a family finding a welcoming place to belong. 

For Flower Mound, the Cross Timbers Family YMCA remains more than a place to work out or swim. It is where the community gathers — one family, one partnership, and one opportunity at a time.