Billy Collins, who is retiring at the end of the month after 20 years as head of the St. Paul YWCA, was honored this week by the St. Paul City Council.
The council declared April 15 to be “Billy Collins Day.”
Council Member Dai Thao sponsored the resolution and said: “Billy Collins is a humble leader and community champion, he has given so much to our city, and has set the bar high to benefit the people.”
The Y was a $2 million operation when Collins took over; it’s now up to $6 million for programs for at-risk youth, homeless families, low-income job seekers, and fitness. In 2013, it served 5,700 people.
Collins told the council: “I’m really humbled by this [award] and glad to accept this award on behalf of the community and all the people I have partnered with.”
