The mission of the YMCA Family Center is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Our vision is to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

Description:
The YMCA is a health and wellness community organization that offers a wide variety of activities, programs and services for youth and families. Through our programs, we strive to build self-esteem, enhance values, strengthen families, promote healthy lifestyles, appreciate diversity, promote leadership, develop international understanding, respect nature and have fun! Our core programs include: swimming lessons, day camp, child care, youth sports, adult sports, water and land aerobics, teen activities, community outreach programs, senior activities, mentoring, wellness center, volunteer opportunities and family programs. The YMCA is open to everyone, which includes providing scholarships to youth and families, who would not otherwise be financially able to participate in the programs and services that the YMCA offers, which is made possible through the support of United Way funding and the YMCA Partner of Youth scholarship program.

History:
History of YMCA Movement
Volunteer founded and volunteer led, the YMCA was established in London, England, in 1844 by George Williams, a draper’s shop assistant to give young men an alternative to life on the streets. In 1851, Thomas Sullivan, a retired sea captain and lay missionary, started the first YMCA in the United States in Boston. Today, the nation’s more than 2,500 YMCA’s are the largest not-for-profit community service organizations in America, working to meet the health and social service needs of 18.9 million men, women and children in 10,000 communities in the United States. YMCA’s are at work in more than 120 countries around the world, serving more than 45 million people. About 230 US YMCA’s maintain relationships with Y’s in other countries, staying committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities worldwide. Y’s are for people of all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. No one is turned away for inability to pay. YMCA’s strength is in the people they bring together.

Your local YMCA Family Center
On March 26, 1886 The YMCA was opened in Grand Forks, ND. It was organized through the collaboration of six churches within the community, who each appointed a pastor as a lay member to help establish the YMCA. These volunteers determined that the YMCA should “promote the moral welfare, the social, intellectual, and physical benefit of young men”. The first YMCA offered group devotions, singing, prayer, reading rooms and gym. Today, the Grand Forks YMCA Family Center is open to men, women and children of all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. In 1969, Our current facility was built, which now hosts two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, aerobic conditioning center, free weight and nautilus area, child care center, aerobic classes, 3 racquetball courts, running track, indoor playroom and community meeting rooms. We provide a wide variety of programs and services for every member of the family to come together and enjoy.

Contact people:

Debbie Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, (701) 775-2586, (email) Bob McWilliams, Program Director, (701) 775-2586, (email)

Office fax number: (701) 775-9611

Address:

215 North 7th Street Grand Forks, ND 58203 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.gfymca.org

Directions:

Turn off North Washington Street onto University Avenue heading east. We are located on the corner of University Avenue and North 7th Street   Nearest Bus Stop: North 7th Street, 0 minute walk