YMCA OF YORK COUNTY
WELCOME
160
th
Anniversary Celebration
YMCA MISSION
It is the mission of the YMCA of York County to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. We exist to develop and practice the principles
of faith, hope, love, honesty, respect and responsibility.
The Y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure everyone,
regardless of gender, income, faith, sexual orientation or cultural background, has the opportunity to live life to its fullest.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
1844… George Williams calls first YMCA meeting in London, England
1851… First YMCA in U.S. opens in Boston 1855… YMCA founded in York, Pennsylvania
• First meetings held in the Weiser Building on Centre (now Continental) Square • Lecture series inaugurated
The Eisenhart Building, an early meeting location for the York YMCA George Williams
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1860-1869… Denominational Y's formed at York churches Unification meeting held at United Brethren Church, Newberry and Philadelphia St. (across from the location of the present
Downtown YMCA)
1869… Unified YMCA of York formed
1884… First Permanent YMCA opens in 100 block of W. Market Street
• Ladies Auxiliary formed
• Night School classes developed
The York YMCA’s first permanent home in the 100 block of West Market Street.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1894… Athletic grounds acquired at Richland Avenue and Codorus
Creek (now Odeon Field and site of two of the new Little League Baseball fields). First YMCA Field Games held on site.
1898… Swimming pool added to building 1901… Concert Choir developed
1906… Camp developed at Muddy Creek Forks
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1910… Camp York moved to Conewago Creek, near Strinestown 1914… Camp Caravan opens near
Havre de Grace, Maryland 1917… America enters World War I
1918… Neighboring building purchased and Y expands 1918… World War I ends
YMCA women workers in France during World War I.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1921… Junior Leaders Corps formed
1923… $592,619 raised for a new building
1924… Property at Newberry and Philadelphia Streets purchased
• Camp Minqua founded near Otter Creek
Autumn at Minqua Circa 1957 By Nathalie Engolahl Commissioned by YMCA Board of Directors
1925… Camp Minqua moves to along Susquehanna River
1926… New building (constructed at a cost of $856,000) dedicated 1953… Camp Ful-O-Fun Day Camp opens
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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Right: Volleyball at summer camp.
Left: Camp Ful-O-Fun was a joint venture of the YMCA, YWCA and the York Jewish Community Center.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1963… Building expanded; all-purpose room and natatorium added marble on steps is
from old YMCA 1964… Name changed to
YMCA of York and York County
1974… First woman elected to the Board Sister Francis Louise
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1977… Bob Hoffman purchases neighboring Western National Bank and donated the building to the YMCA
Right: Bob Hoffman and Norman Walters in the center, with volunteers, look over plans for the expansion of the York YMCA.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1985… Bob Hoffman Branch opens in Dover • Jan Herrold elected first woman
Chair of YMCA Board of Directors • YMCA decides to remain in
Downtown York
Jan Herrold
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1991… Southern Branch receives charter 1995… Southern Branch facility opens
7th Grade Initiative
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1997… Y Community Development Corporation formed formed for community outreach programs
Community Development and Y Housing
• Served 2,632 different homeless men since 1998 in the YMCA • Under YCDC
• Historic Fairmount Project-15 buildings into 38 apartment units
• 3 homes for home ownership on North Beaver Street
• Created 31 affordable housing units and 6 commercial spaces on W. Market and W. King Streets
Opportunities For All
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Community Development - continued
• Received the Strong Communities Award from National YMCA • Revitalized the 500-700 blocks of W. Princess
• 9 Market Rate apartments and
1 home ownership on N. Newberry Street.
• George Street Commons-28 townhomes and store • Neighborhood safety improvements of nearly $500K
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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1997… First Turkey Trot 5-K run held
1998… Downtown Y Residence renovated
• Swimming pool added at Southern Branch
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2001… YMCA assumes management of Farquhar Park Pool
2002… Eastern Branch receives charter
2003… Work begins on rehabilitating buildings on West Market Street
2004… Renovations begin on 38 apartments in Historic Fairmount area of North Beaver Street
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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2005… YMCA of York and York County celebrates 150th anniversary
• YMCA joins with York City and Rotary Club of York to bring Little League baseball to York City youngsters.
York City Little League Ground Breaking
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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2006… Adopted Mississippi Gulf Coast Y after Hurricane Katrina
• Drug and Alcohol counseling added to Y Men’s Residence case management.
• Designated Activate America Y to combat youth obesity.
2007… Membership For All, income based membership instituted
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2008… 1,800 runners participated in the Turkey Trot • Opened Graham Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool
2009… Daddy Daughter Dance begins at Dover Y
• Backyard swim program begins in Eastern and serves 60 youth. • York Childcare Center reaccredited in NAEYC
Right: Local Turkey Trot participants
Left: Graham Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool
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2010…1 of 20 Y’s in US to be named ACHIEVE to create a healthier York 2011… 7th Grade Initiative begins –
free Y memberships for all 7th graders
• Latino Services initiated in partnership with United Way.
• Southern awarded Community Partnership Award for work with adults with
intellectual disabilities
Craig Wolf teaching cycling class to 7th Grade Initiative participants
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2012… Association named a LIVESTRONG YMCA to work with cancer survivors.
• York Y named one of 15 Y’s to REACH to work on neighborhood health issues.
• Partnership with Children’s Home of York to house Eastern Branch
• Y named one of 15 Global Centers of Excellence
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2013… Only Y in region accredited as Diabetes Prevention Y
• Stability to Vitality Debt Reduction Campaign raises $2M goal.
• George Street Commons completed by YCDC, 28 townhomes and corner store.
Right: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Invitation
Left: Ribbon Cutting at George Street Commons on October 7, 2013.
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
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2014… Shared Services with Hanover YMCA!
Board approved STRENGTHENING IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY - Strategic Road Map – 2015 & beyond
2015… REAWAKENING project at the York Branch underway
160th Anniversary Celebration
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
