Our Story

Every New Yorker deserves the opportunity to achieve their full potential—as individuals, as families, and as neighborhoods. New York City’s YMCA is here to help fellow New Yorkers and our neighborhoods stay healthy in body and mind, and gain the skills and opportunities we all need to thrive. Where there’s a Y, there’s a way for all of us to grow stronger, together.

Our story begins more than 170 years ago, part of an international movement to harbor young men who were moving in droves to cities to make their fortunes. (Fun fact: Walt Whitman was an early charter member of the 1st NYC YMCA, in Brooklyn).

Since then, we’ve grown to a network of 24 branches around the five boroughs, and serve a vastly more diverse population of New Yorkers with ever-evolving needs. Today, more than half a million New Yorkers come to the Y for our community-focused health and wellness programs, classes, and facilities. 

The bridge between the Y, then and now, is the Y’s earnest belief that every New Yorker deserves the chance to reach our full potential–as individuals, families and communities. New York City’s YMCA is here to help fellow New Yorkers and our neighborhoods stay healthy in body and mind, and gain the skills and opportunities we all need to truly thrive.