ALWAYS HERE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
As the leading non-profit committed to strengthening community, the YMCA of the Suncoast is a cause-driven charitable organization that stands for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, serving more than 90,000 men, women and children through eight locations and more than 60 before-and after school sites in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties.
The YMCA continues to flourish because those values are as relevant to today’s world as they were in 1844, when a young drapery clerk named George Williams sought to develop a wholesome place for young people to escape the immorality of the London Streets during the Industrial Revolution.
By 1851, there were 24 Ys in Great Britain, with a combined membership of 2,700. That same year the Y arrived in North America. It was established in Montreal on November 25 and in Boston on December 29. From there, the YMCA grew quickly across the United States and Canada.
Since our founding in Clearwater, the YMCA of the Suncoast has grown from its first facility in 1965 to its newest in Citrus County in May 2016. At the time it opened, the Clearwater YMCA was one of the largest YMCAs in the country. In more than 60 years, our footprint has not just grown, but flourished and made an impact on the communities we serve, especially in youth development. In the ‘80s, we introduced before- and after-school child care to our service areas. Today, we guide more than 60 school-age programs in your elementary and middle schools.
What began as a few treadmills, a pool and a basketball gymnasium has expanded, with Kid Zone play areas, Youth and Teen Centers, wellness centers, family and competition pools, splash pads, and senior health and social programs.
We have added many great features to accommodate every age and interest. However, our greatest feature is our cause-related work. Thanks to our dedicated volunteer-led board of directors, the YMCA of the Suncoast is committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen. We are driven to improve the community’s health and well-being, we advance philanthropy in our communities, and we are enriching the lives of those we serve and supporting our neighbors.
From our humble beginning on March 27, 1957, the YMCA of the Suncoast has been a charitable organization that began with a powerful idea and belief- to strengthen the foundations of community. That was our cause back then, and it’s our cause today.
Our communities may change, but the YMCA Mission has not. We put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Y Stories
The Y teaches people how to swim, encourages children to brave, supports our communities through service and helps people in their pursuit of improving their health and well-being.
Give to the Y
Giving to the Y allows children the opportunity to learn to swim, cancer survivors start new with Livestrong at the YMCA and so much more! Help us continue serving the community by making a donation to the Y today.
Nonprofit
As a top-rated 4 star charity, the Y is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides crucial programs and services to more than 100,000 people every year. Because of our generous donors, we are able to provide more than 500 foster kids and their family members a place to belong, over 7,000 children learn to swim and be safe around water, over 9,000 kids receive educational support, 480,000 healthy meals are provided to school-age youth, and more than $3.95 million invested in the community through financial support ensuring more than 10,300 individuals receive scholarships so everyone has a chance to succeed and belong at the Y.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
The YMCA is made up of all people from every walk of like, working side by side to strengthen our communities. Together we approach our work using empathy and equity to ensure that everyone - members, volunteers and staff - have the opportunity to reach their fullest God-Given potential with dignity. Our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility guide everything we do.
CLICK HERE for a list of 2023 Religious Holidays and Observances.
Our Commitment to the Americans with Disabilities Act
At the YMCA of the Suncoast, we believe that our strength lies in the diversity of our staff, volunteers, members, and participants. We work proactively and collaboratively every day to build organizational and individual capacity toward providing the most inclusive and welcoming experience for every individual we employ, serve, and engage.
In accordance with this mission, the YMCA of the Suncoast is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to providing full and equal access to all members and program participants, including those who may require reasonable modification of the YMCA of the Suncoast’s policies, practices or procedures or any auxiliary aids and services for full enjoyment of the YMCA of the Suncoast’s facilities. In accordance with this policy, YMCA of the Suncoast prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability.
Members and program participants may make requests for reasonable modifications of policies, practices, or procedures or for auxiliary aids and services, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Requests should be made to Concerns@suncoastymca.org.