Our Ward community

For nearly eight decades, Mr. Ward, affectionately known as “Sarge,” has been part of the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA, a place that has shaped his life and the lives of countless others on Columbus’s Near East Side. Introduced to the Y by his uncle, Eldon Ward, he first began working out as a child at the original Spring Street location, long before the Y moved to its current home.

Health and movement have always been at the center of Mr. Ward’s story. “That’s why I’m in pretty good physical shape, because I kept working out,” he says with pride. But his connection to the Y runs much deeper than fitness. “Everybody knows everybody. Everybody’s friendly. Everybody works together. It’s like family here.”

That sense of family reflects the legacy of the Ward name. Mr. Ward’s father and uncle owned E.E. Ward Moving & Storage, founded in 1881 by John T. Ward and his son William S. Ward, the oldest continuously operating Black-owned business in the United States. Carrying on that legacy, Mr. Ward has remained dedicated to the Y’s mission, helping improve the facility and supporting programs that provide meals and resources to neighbors in need.

From a young boy lifting weights on Spring Street to a lifelong member still showing up with energy and purpose, Mr. Ward’s journey is a living reflection of the enduring impact of the Ward YMCA and the community it continues to strengthen.

Every Thursday at the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA is game day for Vernon Dublin. A regular medalist in the Special Olympics, Vern shows up ready to play, greeting his teammates Marsalis and Marquan with a smile before taking the court to chase rebounds, shots, and connection.

Vernon lost his hearing at age two and graduated from the Ohio School for the Deaf, but he has never let hearing loss define him. “He’s Superman to me,” says his wife, Keischa. “He swims, he runs, he jumps. He’s never claimed to be disabled.” That determination shines in every game, especially during his first season when he led the Ward YMCA Flyers in points and rebounds.

For Vernon, the Y represents more than basketball. It is about belonging. From his first day, Executive Director Aja Mays welcomed him with warmth and support, helping him navigate communication and feel at home. “It’s not every day a Black man can walk into a building and be greeted with smiles,” Vernon says. “Everyone here has that same kind of heart.”

That spirit of inclusion and friendship has made the Ward YMCA a true sanctuary for Vernon. Whether on the court, in the pool, or simply surrounded by his teammates, he has found a place that celebrates ability, connection, and community. “I want people to remember me,” Vern signs. “Because of the Ward YMCA, I am a better man.”

When Al Bankston first joined the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA in the 1970s, he wasn’t just signing up for a football team. He was stepping into a community that would shape his life for decades to come. Under the guidance of leaders like Mr. James, the YMCA became a place where Al built friendships, joined parades, and found belonging that stretched beyond the walls of the building.

Over the years, Al’s relationship with the Ward YMCA has grown into a family tradition. Today, he and his wife never miss their Tuesday and Thursday visits. She heads to her line dance class while Al works out or catches up with friends. That rhythm of connection, he says, is what makes the Y feel like home.

For Al, the YMCA is about more than programs. It’s about people. From childhood memories of football and swimming to bringing his grandkids to the new playground, the Ward YMCA remains a place where generations come together.

Carrying that legacy forward, Al continues to show up, honoring the past, sharing memories, and helping ensure the YMCA remains a place of community for the Near East Side and all of Columbus.

When Reggie and Karen Ginyard first stepped into the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA in the early 1970s, they weren’t just looking for a place to work out  —  they were searching for a sense of belonging. Reggie, who had moved to the area in 1972 during a time of workplace integration, found that sense of acceptance and community at the YMCA, a feeling that has kept the couple connected for over 50 years.

Over time, both Reggie and Karen became SilverSneakers instructors, leading fitness classes that promote health and joy among older adults. Reggie makes it fun and engaging, while Karen highlights the deep connections formed with participants, many of whom have been with them for over two decades.

Though they’ve taught at multiple YMCAs, the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA has always been their home. The spirit of family and inclusion at the Eldon & Elsie Ward Family YMCA is part of a long legacy, one Reggie says began with Mr. Ward himself, who would bring young men to the Y to give them a safe space and a sense of purpose.

Today, the Ginyards carry that legacy forward  —  welcoming members, building relationships, and strengthening the community. Whether it’s teaching classes or simply showing up for others, their story reflects the YMCA’s mission to build a healthy spirit, mind and body, mind, and spirit across generations.