Zambrano spends first year at Western Family YMCA learning what his community needs

By Claudia Estrada 

NEWARK – In the 12 months since he became Community Executive Director at the Western Family YMCA, Francisco Zambrano has focused on growth, strategic initiatives, and community engagement.

“Eighty percent of my time this year has been dedicated to getting to know my community,” Zambrano said. “When I talk about community, I mean all stakeholders, members, staff, supporters, and donors. My goal has been to become more visible, to learn about our programs, and to measure how impactful they are for the community.” 

The remaining 20% of Zambrano’s efforts have focused on building new relationships with organizations, on “how to foster collaboration and expand our impact here.” he said.  

Zambrano is particularly proud of his partnership with the University of Delaware and its Health Communities Program. This collaboration has created opportunities for researchers and students to engage with the local community. 

 “What I like about this partnership is how it aligns with our mission to foster inclusivity and inspire service to others,” he said. 

Another initiative has been the partnership with Academia Antonio Alonso, a charter school serving the Hispanic population. The YMCA now provides the school’s second graders with access to water safety programs, addressing the issue of youth learning to swim around Delaware’s 381 miles of coastline. 

“This partnership ensures that these children gain essential water safety skills,” Zambrano explained.  

RELATED: Western Family Y Unveils Major Renovations

The YMCA provides swimming programs for 860 youths, including children from the Delaware School for the Deaf.

Zambrano acknowledges the challenges of securing resources to serve more people. 

“Families living paycheck to paycheck often don’t qualify for financial assistance programs, which makes inclusivity difficult. Finding ways to support these families has been a major focus,” he said. 

The YMCA’s summer camp program welcomed more than 400 campers, with more than 50% receiving financial assistance, and ensured that nearly 4,600 individuals and families could access programs regardless of financial circumstances.

“We are committed to sustainability and inclusion. No one can be thrown away because of their financial situation,” he said. 

Zambrano’s YMCA education began in Peru

Growing up in Peru, Zambrano participated in YMCA training programs and began serving on the YMCA’s Peru Advisory Board. During his time there, he visited different countries in South America, Asia, and Europe, and gained his experience from different perspectives of the communities around the world.  

“When I started working for the Latin American community as a director of family support services, it gave me a better understanding of what was going on in Delaware,” he said. “Now, I can better tailor YMCA programs to serve seniors, domestic violence survivors, and immigrant families.”

YMCA of Delaware Chief Operating Officer Linda Risk praised Zambrano, and his experience that supports the YMCA’s mission. 

“Francisco Zambrano’s leadership at the Western Family YMCA has been transformative. Drawing from his extensive international YMCA experience, Francisco has skillfully aligned our programs and services to meet the unique needs of the local community, with a special focus on Spanish-speaking families,” Risk said. 

Dover YMCA gets a new Community Executive

Just as Delaware Live scheduled its interview to discuss Zambrano’s experience in his first year, the Dover YMCA hired John Rice to be its new Community Executive. 

Originally from South Jersey, Rice came to Delaware originally from South Jersey and has spent more than a decade with YMCAs in Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and, most recently, in Flint, Michigan, where he served as executive director. 

“Overall, I’m loving the area in Dover—the community here, the staff culture, and the leadership in the association,” Rice said. “I’ve felt extremely welcomed since I started. It’s been easy to make connections with staff, community members, and leadership alike.”

Rice highlighted the importance of building on the YMCA’s core initiatives. 

“My focus is on amplifying the association’s strategies to unite the community, inspire service to others, improve family health and well-being, and ensure youth are on a pathway to success,” he explained.

Rice acknowledged the challenges the YMCA faces, particularly in raising awareness of what the YMCA has to offer to families within the Dover community. 

“We want to do a better job of telling our stories and communicating our impact,” he said. “The Y does amazing things every day, but many people just don’t know.”

“As we welcome John Rice to the Dover YMCA, we are confident in his ability to build on the Y’s legacy in Kent County. With extensive expertise in program innovation, staff development, and community engagement, John’s commitment to our mission of empowering individuals and strengthening communities will undoubtedly create a lasting impact in Dover,” Risk said. 

When asked to offer advice to Rice, Zambrano highlighted the importance of community.

“Get to know your community and your team. Building those relationships will open all the doors you need to succeed,” he advised. 

The YMCA of Delaware supports more than 24,000 adults and youth through memberships and programs, with over $1.2 million in scholarships.