YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg Celebrates 2025 Impact

During the 2026 Employee Appreciation Week, YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg recognized the dedicated staff who went above and beyond to bring impact to the community in 2025.  

The celebratin brought together Y staff from across the Association to reflect on the collective impact of their efforts. In the past year, the Y served more than 30,000 members and supported thousands of youth and families across southern Pinellas County through its programs and services. 

The event also highlighted exceptional achievements, recognizing individuals who made a significant difference in their roles. 

Impact Award

Frances Villarreal, Welcome Center Shift Lead, Jim & Heather Gills YMCA

Frances is dedicated, professional, welcoming, enthusiastic and a shining role model of what characteristics we would love to see in all YMCA employees. She greets everyone by name, is patient, kind, and bilingual, which is a valuable asset to the Gills Y.

Frances has navigated through the issues of construction, answering members’ questions with honesty and positivity. Even when the Y was uncomfortably hot or cold, she remained happy and smiling.

Her goodwill is contagious and has kept many Y members, employees, volunteers and community members on the bright side of how wonderful things will be when construction is completed. Frances is truly one of the Y’s best ambassadors.   

Unsung Hero Award

Lenora Wells, Development Services Manager

Lenora is the backbone of the development office - the steady, trusted “back of the house” leader who ensures that every dollar entrusted to the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg is processed with integrity, accuracy and care. With more than 20 years of YMCA service between the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg and the First Coast YMCA, Lenora is a consummate YMCA professional. She understands our mission not just as a statement, but as a responsibility.

Lenora processes all contributed revenue and ensures every donor receives timely, accurate acknowledgments and meaningful stewardship. She manages donor records with meticulous attention to detail, works closely with the finance team to ensure proper gift allocation and reporting, and safeguards the systems that allow our fundraising efforts to thrive. Her work may not always be visible, but it is foundational. Without Lenora’s diligence and discipline, our ability to build and sustain donor trust would simply not be possible.

What sets Lenora apart is not just her competence, but her character. She is steady. She is thoughtful. She is collaborative. She is a trusted partner not only within the development office, but across the entire YMCA team. Staff rely on her. Leadership depends on her. And donors benefit from her commitment to excellence.

Lenora embodies what it means to be an Unsung Hero: indispensable, caring, mission-focused, and unwavering in her commitment to doing the right thing - every single time.

Leadership Award

Scott Morin, Executive Director, Jim & Heather Gills YMCA

Scott is an extraordinary leader who not only guides and transforms. He has shown that true leadership is not measured by titles or authority, but by the lives he lifts, the courage he inspires, and the vision he brings to life.   

Scott leads with heart, purpose, and an unwavering belief in what is possible, even when the path forward is unclear. Through his example, Scott reminds his staff that leadership is an act of service that demands resilience, humility, and the boldness to imagine something better. His ability to unite others, ignite passion, and turn challenges into opportunities has created a lasting, positive impact on everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him.   

His legacy is not just the goals achieved, but the confidence he builds, the voices he empowers, and the hope he sparks in others. Scott inspires his staff not only to follow but to rise.