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Watch the YMCA VIDEO!
Together, the nation's more than 2,400 YMCAs are the largest not-for-profit community service organizations in America, working to meet the health and social service needs of 17.9 million men, women and children in 10,000 communities in the USA. Ys are for people of all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. YMCAs' strength is in the people they bring together.
The 9 branch locations of the YMCA of the Suncoast serve more than 100,000 members and program participants in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties.
The YMCA is the largest provider of school-age child care in Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties, serving more than 5,000 children daily in over 50 locations with before and after school care, holiday camps and summer camps.
The Association's Keeping the Promise Annual Giving campaign raises money each year to provide financial assistance for programs and services to those who could not otherwise afford to participate.
YMCA programs are tools for building the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Longtime leaders in community-based health and fitness and aquatics, Ys teach kids to swim, offer exercise classes for people with disabilities and lead adult aerobics. They also offer hundreds of other programs in response to community needs, including camping, child care (the Y movement is the nation's largest not-for-profit provider), teen clubs, environmental programs, substance abuse prevention, youth sports, family nights, mentoring, job training, international exchange and many more.
Firsts and foremosts : YMCAs have played a significant role in the history of America. YMCAs invented basketball, volleyball and racquetball, and pioneered camping, physical fitness and swimming lessons. YMCAs helped found the USO, Boy Scouts of America and Camp Fire Girls. YMCA volunteers provided support and services to millions of soldiers in many major wars, including the Civil War, World War I and World War II. YMCAs are celebrating more than 160 years in America.
The History of The YMCA
The YMCA was founded in London, England, in 1844 by George Williams and some friends who lived and worked as clerks in a drapery, a forerunner of dry-goods and department stores. Their goal was to help young men like themselves find God. The first members were evangelical Protestants who prayed and studied the Bible as an alternative to vice.
The first U.S. YMCA was started in Boston in 1851, the work of Thomas Sullivan, a retired sea captain and lay missionary. From Boston, YMCAs spread rapidly across America, many of which started opening their doors to boys and men of all ages. Some YMCAs were started to serve specific groups such as railroad and factory workers, as well as African Americans, Native Americans and recent immigrants. After World War II, women and girls were admitted to full membership and participation. Today, half of all YMCA members are female, and half are under age 18.
International YMCA
In 2007, we have moved closer to our Y-to-Y partnership with the Dominican Republic. Recently, due to the devastation that Tropical Storm Noel had on the Dominican Republic, all of our YMCA branches and childcare sites have collected food and clothing to send to our partner YMCA. Once received in the DR, the boxes are opened by their YMCA Teen Leaders, sorted and distributed to the various barrios in the area where the YMCA serves families and kids.
As a way to educate young people on the cultural connection of our YMCA’s and our worldwide mission, we have involved our Teen Advisory Board in our Dominican Republic partnership. As a result, our teens have begun to communicate with the Dominican Republic Teen Leaders. These teens are working towards a goal to travel there in the summer of 2008, to participate in service learning projects with the YMCA and the communities that they serve. Our TAB is seeking funding possibilities and will be holding fundraisers at their local branches to help support this trip.
In an effort to celebrate our International movement and the rich cultures that the YMCA serves locally and globally, we will be holding at many branches and childcare sites, a YMCA International Day, on Wednesday, the 30th of January. During this day, the branches and childcare sites will have various activities offered: all food, activities, art projects and family events will revolve around an international theme. Some branches will spotlight sports from other countries and have a Parent’s Night Out with an international theme.
Stop by and check it out or ask your local YMCA for their schedule of activities.
As we move into 2008, we work to better educate and involve our members in our international initiatives. Many branches have established International Clubs, so that members with an interest can get involved on the branch level and learn about the work that we do in other countries, join international committees, and help to create opportunities for greater international connections. We invite all interested adults, teens, and families to join us. Each of your YMCA’s has an International Representative. Ask who that is and get involved in going global!
YMCA of the Suncoast Services
* Youth Sports Leagues:
Basketball, gymnastics, tee-ball, swim teams, karate, flag football, soccer
* Swim Lessons:
For all ages and abilities
* Child Care:
Before and after school care, summer day camp
* Learning Academy:
coaching program for students K-adult in reading, math, study skills, and more
* Wellness Centers:
Treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing machines, aerobics, stairclimbers, circuit weights, free weights, basketball, racquetball, tennis
* Evaluations:
Under the guidance of a Wellness Trainer we help members establish a workout routine as well as wellness goals.
* Wellness Classes:
Healthy back, stress management, Tai Chi, yoga, nutrition and weight management, cholesterol screening
* Adventure Guides:
Parent/child relationship program that encourage father/son, father/daughter, mother/son, mother/daughter bonding
* Team-Building Retreats:
Using hands-on ropes courses.
Did you know?
Did you know that the first YMCA founded in the United States was in Boston, Mass. on Dec. 29, 1851?
Did you know that basketball was invented by the YMCA in 1892?
Did you know that the YMCA was the first to teach swimming lessons and install the world's first indoor swimming pool?
Did you know that President George H.W. Bush was the founding chariman of the YMCA of Midland, Texas in 1953?
Did you know that the YMCA is the largest provider of school age child care in the United States?
Because all communities have different needs, all YMCAs are different. A YMCA in your community may offer child care or teen leadership clubs. A Y in the next town may have swimming lessons or drawing classes. Every Y makes its own decisions on what programs to offer and how to operate.
