The YMCA of Northwest Florida has been a leader in youth development, adult wellness and community support in the Florida Panhandle for 140 years. Our strength lies in our ability to unite people of all faiths, races, ages, abilities and incomes. Through our programs, our community’s children and families grow strong in spirit, mind and body. At the Y, every body belongs!
mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
values
Caring: Show a sincere concern for others
Honesty: Be truthful in what you say and do
Respect: Follow the golden rule
Responsibility: Be accountable for your promises and actions
cause
At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. We believe that positive, lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health, and our neighbors. That's why we focus our work in three areas:
Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen
Healthy Living: Improving the nation's health and well-being
Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors
our history
The Y is the unparalleled cause for strengthening community because we are the community. Together with you, your family and your neighbors, our movement strengthens America’s towns and cities through promoting three things: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. As an organization, we’ve done it for nearly 160 years, and we’re determined to keep doing it.
When a dozen young working men founded the YMCA of London in 1844, their focus was on bringing young men like themselves to God through Jesus Christ. They worked to bring their peers into a safe place where they could reject the vices of the street and develop in spirit. The Y has changed greatly since those early days and now hasa presence in 10,000 neighborhoods across the nation. Through our programs, the Y helps people of all ages and from all walks of life to learn, grow and thrive.
Basketball, volleyball, racquetball and Father’s Day all started at the Y. We pioneered the USO, the Peace Corps and things like pre-school, camping and group swimming lessons. Our programs, services and initiatives get kids off the street, help send disadvantaged teens to college, provide shelter for the homeless and care for the elderly, prepare people for employment, welcome and embrace newcomers, and help foster a nationwide service ethic. Deeply rooted in our local community, our movement is made up of people of all ages, faiths and abilities, all working side-by-side to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, income or background, has the opportunity to live life to its fullest. We value caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, and everything we do stems from this.
Shared values hold families and communities together. And character development must be a responsibility shared by the whole community. If we work together to live out our values every day, and pass them on to our children, we can go a long way toward solving some of our society’s most pressing problems. Please join us in accepting this challenge to make our community and our world a better place – a place where everyone can succeed.