“The Family YMCA’s mission is to build community strength by focusing on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, and to ensure access to all. Board leadership long ago recognized the diverse population of the community, and chose to respect the religious beliefs of their community members, and to be inclusive to all.”

~Excerpt from a history compiled by the Family YMCA in June of 2020

Do you actually know what YMCA stands for?

If you’re struggling to remember, it might help to know that the organization itself began in 1844 when a 23 yo white Christian man named George Williams and 11 of his closest friends decided they wanted someplace to hang out that did NOT involve the bars and red light districts of industrial era London. With that in mind, they formed the Young Men’s Christian Association so they could have a quiet place to meet and chat about their Bible studies.

In 1851, a retired sea captain named Thomas Sullivan decided that Boston needed a place for the same kind of quiet pursuits. He formed the first YMCA in Boston and the organization had a firm foothold in the United States. Ever since the Y bloomed in Boston, it has been a voice for change and inclusivity. Whether it was the first YMCA charter established in Washington DC in order to teach young black boys to read, the charter in 1875 San Francisco to serve the growing Chinese population, or the 1917 charter ~ also in San Franciso ~ to serve the Japanese population, the Y provides the framework for communities to better serve their members.

Here in Los Alamos, the Family YMCA was established in 1955 to offer families a place for recreation. No kidding, the charter here in Los Alamos was the very first “family” YMCA and were actually granted permission to use the title “The Family YMCA”. Since the beginning, the Family YMCA has charged forward with programs for families.

Sports

Sure, kids can learn typical sports like basketball and soccer at the Y. Did you know that they offer Jr. Roller Derby and even Fencing? If you check out their website, you can find links to sign up for everything from Irish Dancing to Shoshin Ryu martial arts. These Y sponsored sports are a fantastic place to try something out in a fun, supportive environment that allows everyone to participate regardless of their status as an Olympic hopeful.

Safe Places to Just BE

The Family YMCA is the powerhouse behind the Teen Centers in both Los Alamos and Espanola. If you’ve got a kiddo aged 12-19, this is where they can hang out with their friends under the watchful and yet very cool eye of staff hand picked for their ability to relate to teenagers. The purpose is to promote the Y’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, & Responsibility. Not such a bad thing for someone to be suggesting to your teenagers.

First Aid

Trying to update your CPR or First Aid cards? The Y is home to many of the Red Cross’s Certification courses for First AID/CPR/AED. And don’t forget to get your potential babysitters enrolled in the Y’s American Red Cross Babysitting Course. This is the place to learn basic child care and safety skills as well as first aid and critical emergency skills that every parent would love to have in their babysitter.

Financial Assistance

The Family YMCA is an organization dedicated to better serving the community. This means if your family is struggling to make ends meet and you need a safe after school care program, the Y can help. Go to the website and download the application or pick one up the next time you stop by. The Family YMCA is a family organization dedicated to providing community services. They don’t believe anyone should be turned away because of financial hardships. In this day and age of uncertainty and stress, it’s so important to support our Los Alamos Local organizations trying to make our community a better, safer place.

Whether you want to work out, pick from dozens of different available fitness classes, or have access to a climbing wall, don’t forget to check out the Family YMCA. This is just one more important piece of the tapestry that is Los Alamos. From family sports in 1955 to the families of 2021, people still need a place to grow. And if you’re ready to talk about living in Los Alamos, call ME! I’m your Los Alamos Local Real Estate expert!