About Your YMCA of Northern Michigan
Together, the nation's more than 2,400 YMCA's are the largest not-for-profit community service organizations in America, working to meet the health and social service needs of 17.9 million men, women and children in 10,000 communities in the USA. Y’s are for people of all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. No one is turned away for inability to pay. YMCA's strength is in the people they bring together.
Because all communities have different needs, all YMCA's are different.
A YMCA in your community may offer childcare or teen leadership clubs. A Y in the next town may have swimming lessons or drawing classes. Every Y makes its own decisions on what programs to offer and how to operate.
YMCA's stretch beyond the United States. YMCA's are at work in more than 120 countries around the world, serving more than 30 million people. About 230 U.S. YMCA's maintain relationships with Y's in other countries. So the YMCA really does build strong kids, strong families and strong communities – worldwide.
YMCA of Northern Michigan is striving to be a leading non-profit organization, serving Emmet & Charlevoix counties.
Our Mission:
To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.
Our Values:
We are a values-based, mission-driven organization focusing on character development and inclusion with an emphasis on caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
The YMCA of Northern Michigan was established in the fall of 2003 after a successful YMCA Founders Campaign.
Since that time we have created a true presence in Emmet County. Other organizations that have been involved or collaborated with the YMCA of NM: Emmet County Parks & Recreation, Camp Petosega, Petoskey Public Schools, Harbor Springs Public Schools, Boyne City Public Schools, Center City Gym, American Red Cross, C.O.A.T.S, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
History of the YMCA of Northern Michigan
April 2001 - Several families contact the YMCA of USA about establishing a Y in Petoskey
December 2001 - Community founders group agrees to work with the State YMCA of Michigan to establish a YMCA
2002 - 2003 - Working with community volunteers a Founders Campaign is conducted - goal to raise $300,000. Successfully completed April 2003
November 2002 - A community advisory board is established to work with YMCA staff formation of YMCA
May 2003 - YMCA Board of Directors is formed
August 2003 - Full time YMCA Program Director hired; afterschool program started at Central Elementary School
October 2003 - Y involves high school students in the development of the Y-Center
December 2003 - Y-Center opens in IOOF building on Howard Street
June 2005 - New day camp program started in collaboration with Emmet County Parks and Recreation
January 2006 - Youth sports program offered in Harbor Springs
2004 - 2010 New programs are started, collaborations established with local organizations, over 3,000 youth and teens use Y-Center or are enrolled in Y programs each year