For more than 135 years, Ys in Alabama have been community connectors with a mission to serve all. The beauty of the Y is that programs and services in local communities reflect the ever-changing needs of the Alabamians we serve.

Ys serve all segments of society, but we have a special focus on families. Besides a traditional family, today’s families include grandparents raising their grandchildren, a single working parent with children, or multiple generations in one home. Many children in Y programs are vulnerable and at risk: they need this support for their development in all areas of life. The Y meets those needs.

Beyond support to the children we serve, our year-round offerings of childcare programs are a huge benefit for workforce development across the state. Imagine the decisions that parents would have to make if before- and after-school and other out-of-school times like summers and holidays were not covered by enriching, supervised Y programs.

YMCAs also include specific support for senior adults, many of whom face social isolation at home.