Through 20 branches in St. Louis City and County, St. Charles, Jefferson, Warren, Lincoln, Washington and Franklin counties, and more than 400 program sites, the YMCA serves 706,000 participants with programs that build healthy spirits, minds and bodies. YMCA programs are available to all people. In 2005, the YMCA awarded $2.48 million in direct financial assistance and subsidized more than $10.5 million in program costs, ensuring that YMCA membership and programs are truly for all.
YMCA facilities provide community gathering and recreational areas, as well as fitness centers, swimming pools and childcare facilities. Today’s YMCA programs serve youth and teens, families, adults, and communities throughout the Greater St. Louis area:
Youth and Teens
With a special focus on at-risk youth and those growing up in the urban core of our community, the YMCA of Greater St. Louis offers youth programs based on our four core values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Traditional YMCA programs offer the opportunity to learn new skills in swimming and sports, begin healthy habits that will last a lifetime, and develop respect for the environment and self-reliance at YMCA day camps and resident Camp Lakewood. The Y has also responded to the needs of the community by creating programs to help youth resolve conflict without violence, by providing opportunities for safe, supervised afterschool activities and by addressing low academic performance in reading and math.
Teens find a safe place to hang out and opportunities to hone their leadership skills in Teen Leaders Clubs. They learn about the functions of government and how to be responsible citizens in YMCA Youth in Government. And they discover ways to give back to their communities through volunteering and service-learning projects.
Families
True to our motto to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities, the YMCA of Greater St. Louis is a haven for today’s busy families. As the largest provider of child care in the state of Missouri, the YMCA provides safe, quality care for children ages 6 weeks through 5th grade. Working parents get peace of mind and the knowledge that their children are well-cared for in our values-based program. Families also get the opportunity to enjoy each other in our special family events, and find the time to reconnect and re-establish their own values during time away at YMCA Trout Lodge.
Adults
In response to the crisis in the health of many Americans the YMCA takes very seriously our role in improving the health of our communities. By developing programs to help people who are seeking a healthier lifestyle, we impact many aspects of their lives. In addition to fitness classes, adults find social clubs, trips and volunteer opportunities to keep them mentally and spiritually healthy.
Neighborhoods and Communities
A YMCA fills many roles in a neighborhood or community, depending on the needs that exist. Some YMCAs are the center of the community, a meeting place for everyone to connect and collaborate on issues they face. Some YMCAs provide a stabilizing force in a neighborhood on the brink of change. Some provide the only opportunity for children to swim, play sports or take dance or martial arts. In some communities, a YMCA facility doesn’t yet exist, but outreach programs like literacy programs for all ages bring the YMCA values and mission to those in the community.
YMCA Child Care – Growing Strong Kids
Meeting the needs of communities, strengthening families and helping children to grow have always been central to the YMCA's mission and
philosophy. Through YMCA Child Care programs, we do just that.
Click here to learn more.
International
The YMCA of Greater St. Louis began its international undertaking for world peace in 1953 when we joined YMCAs around the U.S. to raise funds to help rebuild YMCAs that had been destroyed during WWII. In 1964, St. Louis YMCA staff visited Bogotá, Colombia to help develop a YMCA camp. Since that time we have continued to provide financial support, board development, program skills and leadership training to YMCAs around the world.
Today, the YMCA of Greater St. Louis has four strategic international partnerships with YMCA’s in Belize, Colombia, Ukraine and Chile/Brazil. Other international relationships extend beyond these four strategic partners as we provide non-financial support, such as, skill development and youth exchanges with specific countries as we grow in our international understanding of global needs.
Providing opportunities for staff, volunteers and youth to grow their International understanding has been our primary objective. Youth exchanges provide opportunities for global friendships, personal development and non-financial service that would not otherwise be experienced.
In 2005, 13 youth were escorted on teen trips to Brazil and Trinidad and participated in service projects and camp programming respectively during visits to YMCAs in those areas. In 2006, trips are planned to Ukraine and Belize
