For former YMCA executive director Yasmin McKinney, Thursday was the end of one chapter of her life. Thursday was also the beginning of a new one.

Beginning July 11, McKinney will leave Selma to begin her new position as district executive director for childcare services for the Family Y of Augusta, Ga. McKinney will oversee 31 sites including two childcare facilities in both Augusta and parts of South Carolina, which she said will be a challenge.

“I’ve been with the YMCA for 20 years and Georgia will be my eighth state,” McKinney said. “All of my jobs have been assigned by God and were in areas of great need. I’ve taken a huge position that Selma has prepared me for.”

While in Augusta, McKinney will implement new ideas to the program.

“I want to build new programs within the inner city and highlight some of the programs they already have,” McKinney said.

Selma, McKinney said, has impacted her life greatly. She said she will miss serving the community.

“I will miss the people here who supported me wholeheartedly,” McKinney said. “All the board members, ministers, the mayor, the Sanderses, etc. I will miss the children, most of all. I wish I could’ve done more.”

McKinney said Selma will remain dear to her heart.

“I have no regrets about having come to Selma,” McKinney said. “I will always be a resource to the Selma-Dallas County YMCA and the Selma community.”