Bulletin for August 4, 2026

Gordon R. Wadge serves as the President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater New Orleans (YGNO), the 5th oldest Y association in the country, founded on November 16, 1852. He began his Y leadership role in 2013 and serves with a great staff team of 400 full time and part time team members. YGNO currently operates five community center branch locations across the metro area as well as the community’s most established adult literacy program in partnership with the New Orleans Public Library and the Jefferson Parish Public Library. With aquatics operations throughout the region, a child safety outreach program in the Latino community, and a multitude of youth development programs, YGNO serves over 44,000 people each year.
Prior to joining the YMCA, Gordon had an extensive career over three decades with Catholic Charities New Orleans. In his role as President & CEO of Catholic Charities, he had responsibility for one of the largest health and human service organizations in the Gulf South, with 750 full time staff, 18,500 volunteers and part time staff, operating 47 diverse programs in eight civil parishes with food programs covering all 64 Louisiana Parishes.

Gordon informed the GNOEA that the “Y” is a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, for healthy living, and for social responsibility. Their mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.​​

Gordon presented the plan for the new aquatic center that is planned to be built on the Westbank at the Hope Haven Campus. All historic buildings will be preserved; the Aquatics Center is planned as new construction on vacant land. It is envisioned as a 72,675 square foot regional level competition, swim lesson, and recreation aquatics facility with three indoor pools. The aquatic ccenter will provide year-round swim lessons for underserved youth, expanding therapeutic aquatic programming for seniors and rehabilitation patients, creating jobs and workforce opportunities for local youth, supporting local swim teams with affordable lane access, hosting regional competitions driving tourism and generating positive economic impact, kickstarting the revitalization of the historic Hope Haven campus, increasing access to healthy recreation on the West Bank.