Community Outreach

Building stronger communities has been a focus of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis since our founding in 1853. We are continually changing and adapting to meet the changing needs of those we serve.

Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are the heart and soul of all YMCAs. Volunteers coach our youth sports teams, work at our service centers, tutor kids, assist with special events and help guide our branches as members of our Boards of Advisors. To share your time and talents, contact the executive director of any branch of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis.

Youth and Teen Leadership

Youth leadership development is a focus of the YMCA. Youth gain leadership skills through YMCA programs like:

• Climbing Above Conflict
  A collaboration with the St. Louis Public Schools, this program teaches non-violent conflict –resolution skills to 4th and 5th graders.
• YMCA Youth in Government
  In this program, teens learn about state government through running mock campaigns and taking over state government for a weekend
• Teen Leaders and Junior Leaders
  Members of these clubs provide service to their community and YMCA branch.

For more information about Youth and Teen Leadership opportunities, visit ThatsY.org

Literacy
The YMCA promotes lifelong learning and reading through three literacy programs

• BBB
  An early intervention program which teaches families with children ages birth to 6 years about the importance of early reading and provides books to support at-home reading.
• YRead
  Provides one-on-one tutoring twice weekly for children between the ages of 7 and 14 who are below grade level in reading.
• Literacy Council
  Through a goal-setting process, tutors adults who are seeking to improve their reading or English language skills.

For more information on our literacy programs, click here, or visit our Literacy message board on ThatsY.org

Services for people with disabilities
The YMCA of Greater St. Louis serves people of all abilities. Through our Inclusion Services Department, we provide reasonable accommodations to enable all people to participate in our programs and classes.

• Adult Habilitation (click here for more info)
• Integrated Fitness program
  Provides services to people with developmental disabilities in an integrated setting, may include aerobics, aquatics, lap swimming, working with weights and a variety of other activities. Trained staff are available to provide assistance.

If you have a disability and need services or have questions please call our Inclusion Services department at (314)962-5979 for more information.

The Arts

• YMCA Boys Choir
  Based at the Monsanto Family YMCA, the Boys Choir helps young men find their voices through performance skills, discipline, practice and teamwork.
• Y-REP Community Theatre
  Four to five productions a year of musicals, dramas, mysteries, and comedies are produced at the Chesterfield Community Theatre located inside the West County Family YMCA. Actors from the community are chosen through open auditions for each production. Past productions include Godspell, Wit, Oliver, Sisters Rosensweig, and many other popular plays.
  Writer’s Voice – Based at the West County Family YMCA, this program presents Well-known authors, poets, playwrights, and lectures throughout the year. The Pen to Hope Prison Program instructed by Jane Ibur works with inmates at the St. Louis Correctional facility in creative writing and journaling.
• Youth Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra
  The West County Family YMCA Youth Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra is open by audition to ages 9-21. The groups perform three concerts a year.

Washington University Campus YMCA Community Service Programs
The Campus Y provides student-led programming throughout the academic year addressing a variety of issues, interests, and community needs including education and children, mentoring youth, advocacy and community outreach.

Financial Assistance
No one is turned away from the YMCA because of an inability to pay. Financial assistance is available at all branches and in all programs thanks to the generous support of those who give to our Annual Partner Campaign. Applications for assistance are available at all branches.

Check with your local branch to find out how the YMCA is making a difference in YOUR community