Community Needs Assessment

Published On: September 8, 2025Categories: Uncategorized

We are listening.

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. The Y has listened and responded to communities’ most pressing critical social needs since our founding in 1844.

Periodically, we conduct a Community Needs Assessment to ensure that our YMCA, along with our community partners, understand what critical social needs exist here at home in the greater Arlington-Mansfield service area.  Our goal is to take what we learn through this process and create a plan to improve the lives of everyone we possibly can.

To be successful, we need your help!  We don’t hire outside consultants.  Our YMCA Community Needs Assessment is unique in that we enlist the help of hundreds of local volunteers to help lead and participate in the process.  We rely on those individuals that understand and care about our community – and we hope this includes you!

There are several ways to participate!

Complete the Survey

Register for an Interview, Focus Group or Town Hall

Volunteer

Complete the Online Survey

Share your perspective in a quick survey—just a few minutes can make a big difference.

Participate in an Interview

Have a deeper conversation with a volunteer interviewer about needs you see in our area.

Join a Focus Group

Discuss ideas with neighbors and stakeholders in a small, facilitated group.

Attend a Town Hall

Hear updates, share feedback, and help prioritize next steps together.

Volunteer and Lead

No special skills – join the Y’s CNA team to listen, gather input, and drive real change.

CNA Timeline

Now – October 31, 2025: Data Gathering Phase
– Continue encouraging community members to complete surveys, participate in interviews, attend focus groups, and join town halls.
– Volunteers and staff help facilitate these efforts across the greater Arlington-Mansfield area.
– Goal: Collect as broad and diverse a set of voices as possible.

November 2025: Synthesize & Share Results
– Volunteers and staff will review the collected input, look for recurring themes, and identify the most pressing needs.
– A community report will be prepared, summarizing findings in clear categories (health, youth, family, etc.).
– Results will be shared publicly in November—through your website, community meetings, and partner networks.

Post-November 2025: Action Planning
– Using the results, the YMCA will convene staff, volunteers, and partners to co-create a plan.

The plan will:
– Address the top priorities surfaced by the community.
– Include specific strategies and partnerships.
– Focus on improving health, strengthening families, and supporting youth.

Looking Ahead
– December 2025: Roll out the official strategic and partnership plan informed by the CNA.
– 2026 and beyond: Begin implementing programs, initiatives, and collaborations aligned with the community’s expressed needs.

Town Halls

  • Mansfield YMCA, October 6th, 6-7pm
  • North YMCA, October 8th, 10-11am
  • South YMCA, October 15, 5:30-6:30pm
  • Central YMCA, October 16, 6-7pm
  • Kennedale YMCA, October 20, 6:30-7:30pm