Deepening Our Commitment to Strengthening Our Community
Dear Friends and Supporters,
At the YMCA of Central Ohio, our vision is bold and unwavering: strong communities where all people reach their full potential. This guiding belief shapes everything we do — from how we respond to urgent needs, to the way we build meaningful connections and create opportunities for every person who walks through our doors.
For 170 years, the YMCA has been a steady, trusted presence in Central Ohio, adapting to meet the needs of each new generation. Our community centers are the heartbeat of the neighborhoods we serve. They are places of belonging, connection and transformation — where neighbors support one another, and individuals find guidance on their journey toward improved health and well-being. That heartbeat has never wavered, and it continues to grow stronger with every life we touch.
In 2024, we deepened our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to the programs and services they need to thrive. As youth development experts, we empower young people to grow in confidence, character and leadership.
Across every area of our work, we maximize accessibility so that families, seniors and marginalized populations can engage in the resources they need to live healthy, connected lives.
We believe:
- All families deserve access to high-quality, affordable child care.
- Whole-person health is built from the inside out — spirit, mind and body.
- Safe, stable, affordable housing is essential to long-term security and well-being.
Because of our reach and deep roots, the YMCA of Central Ohio is uniquely positioned to address the most pressing issues facing our region: housing instability and homelessness, access to affordable and high-quality child care, safe spaces and programs for youth and teens and community health and well-being.
As we look to the future, we remain anchored in access, innovation and partnership. With your continued support, we will keep building stronger, thriving communities, where everyone has the opportunity to belong and where the YMCA continues to be the heartbeat of it all.
With gratitude and hope,
Tony Collins,
President & CEO
Catherine Strauss,
Chair, Board of Trustees
Community Starts Here
We’re more than a gym! We are a cornerstone of the community, serving five generations every day and working alongside our neighbors to meet critical needs throughout Central Ohio.
The YMCA is the original social enterprise, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that generates revenue through donations, programs and services to fund initiatives that build strong communities. Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility are the three pillars that guide the YMCA’s intentional steps to empower young people, improve individual and community health and inspire action and change in our communities.
We believe strong communities are rooted in equity and belonging. We provide a safe and inclusive place for all individuals to achieve new goals, build relationships and find belonging. We are community!
Vision
Strong communities where all people reach their full potential
Mission
To serve the whole community through programs expressing Judeo-Christian principles that build a healthy spirit, mind and body
Values
Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility
Our Reach
For 170 years, the YMCA has become a mainstay and pivotal force in Central Ohio, stepping forward to address the ever-changing needs of the growing communities we serve. Meeting individuals in their time of need and helping them is the core of the YMCA’s mission.
With unwavering determination, the YMCA of Central Ohio drives transformational social change by strengthening communities. We have a regional scope with a local presence, serving as the heartbeat of 13 communities across five counties. Everything the YMCA of Central Ohio does aims to ensure health, well-being and opportunity for all. With our broad reach and diverse social services, the YMCA is uniquely positioned to connect individuals with resources to meet our communities’ most critical needs.
13
Community Centers
1
Overnight Camp
85
Licensed Child Care Programs
1
New American Welcome Center
Health & Well-being
160,933
Individuals
Improved their health and well-being
2.21M+
Visits to YMCA Community Centers
Fostered healthier lifestyles and habits
Access & Belonging
$1.3M+
in Financial Assistance
Created opportunities of access to transformational services
489,697
Snacks & Meals
Provided to support nutrition for over 2,000 children and families
Youth Development
44,337
Children & Youth
Engaged in programs that build social-emotional intelligence, critical thinking and leadership skills
5,000+
Working Families
Accessed affordable, high-quality child care, gaining peace of mind while participating in the workforce.
Housing & Outreach
11,974
Individuals, Families & Seniors
Received safe, stable shelter and life-changing housing and outreach services
1
Emergency Shelter
Provided stability for neighbors experiencing homelessness
4 Rapid Re-Housing Programs and 215 Permanent Supportive Housing Units
Offered housing stability and hope for neighbors facing difficult times
National Leader in Youth Development
Where Kids Become Successful Learners & Families Thrive
At the YMCA of Central Ohio, we believe strong families are the foundation for strong communities. That’s why we’re committed to walking alongside families through every stage of their journey and nurturing the potential of every child, from infants to teens and all the years in between.
The YMCA is an expert in Youth Development programming and the largest child care provider across the region. The breadth and depth of the YMCA’s Youth Development programs span across school district partners, community centers and in-home social services.
Academic Success
We know access to resources during the early years of a child’s life is fundamental to their education and well-being. Through the YMCA’s youth development programs, children and families can build healthy habits early on, staying active together and establishing the building blocks of healthy futures.
Our Youth Development programs build the foundational blocks for lifelong learning, health, positivity and critical thinking. Whether it’s early learners discovering the world in our child care centers, kids gaining confidence and skills in swim lessons or teens finding belonging in our Teen Leaders programs, the YMCA creates safe, welcoming spaces where every child can grow, learn and thrive inside and outside of the classroom.
90.5% of children in YMCA early learning programs are scoring kindergarten-ready when they enter school
Serving Current & Future Workforce
From parent-child activities that strengthen bonds to wraparound support for working caregivers, the YMCA is a trusted partner in family life. On average, we serve more than 5,000 working families annually so parents and caregivers can have peace of mind while participating in the workforce.
Limited access to youth programs exists throughout areas in our region that are under-resourced or for families experiencing hardship in some way. The YMCA believes that comprehensive, quality early learning and school-age child care are instrumental in breaking the cycle of poverty and preparing the future workforce. We meet families where they are — offering financial assistance to ensure all families have access to our high-quality, top-rated programs.
With the support of our partner and investor, Battelle, STEM education is embedded into many of these programs, bridging achievement gaps in schools and building career pathways in underserved communities. Programs like Early Intervention and Stable Families help families who need extra learning support, addressing challenges and providing critical resources early on to pave a new path to educational attainment. Because every child deserves the chance to flourish, no matter their circumstances.
Cultivating Belonging: Shamiyah’s Y-Club Experience
When Shamiyah first walked into Y-Club at Parkmoor Elementary, she was quiet, sticking close to familiar friends and her Y-Club teacher. The new environment and unfamiliar faces felt overwhelming. But over time, something shifted.
“My co-teacher and I focused on building a trusting bond with Shamiyah,” said Miss Shalonda, the Y-Club’s director. “We gently encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone and connect with the other kids.”
Shamiyah's Y-Club Journey
Using emotion-based games and small group activities, the Y-Club team creates a safe, welcoming space where kids like Shamiyah can express themselves and learn they’re not alone. Months later, she’s thriving. She now greets others with confidence, laughs with her friends and welcomes new participants so they also feel right at home.
“As a parent, I just felt like it was a very safe environment for my daughter,” said Shamiyah’s mom, Lynchelle. “It meant a lot to know she was right there in the school, I didn’t have to worry about anyone transporting her.”
Lynchelle, a former child care professional herself, saw how Y-Club helped her daughter open up in ways she hadn’t before. “She’s always been the quiet kid,” she said. “But in Y-Club, she became more active. It gave her the space to really grow and be her own little person.”
This transformation didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of intentional care and expertise the YMCA brings to every child it serves. We are youth development experts, trained to recognize what each child needs and support them as they grow into their best selves.
For Shamiyah, Y-Club has become a place where she feels confident and connected beyond the school day. And for her mom, it’s more than convenient child care; Y-Club is a space of belonging where her daughter is seen, supported and safe.
“I think Y-Club should be in all elementary schools,” Lynchelle says. “The teachers are very helpful, and they create a safe, warming environment for the children.”
44,377 Children
Thrived in a nurturing environment during Before And After School Child Care, Summer Camp Programs, Teen Leadership Opportunities and Kindergarten Readiness Programs
Serving Five Generations
From Fitness to Friendship — For Every Ability, Every Journey
At the YMCA of Central Ohio, we believe that well-being is a lifelong journey, and that it’s never too early or too late to invest in your health. Through our community centers, we create a space for all people to be active, improve their health and stay engaged with their community, no matter their age or stage of life.
Across our YMCAs, five generations gather every day with different goals but a shared sense of purpose, united by the desire to grow stronger, live healthier and stay connected. Our programs and spaces are designed to welcome and support people of all ages — from infants just beginning their journey to active older adults who are continuing theirs with vitality and purpose.
You will find a grandparent in a water fitness class next to a teenager training for their first sport. A new parent easing back into exercise while their child learns to swim. Whatever brings you through our doors, you belong.
Across five generations, our impact spans:
- Infants and toddlers taking their first swim lessons, learning safety and confidence alongside caregivers.
- Youth and teens discovering who they are through sports, summer camps, academic support and mentorship.
- Young adults building healthy habits, gaining strength and staying connected.
- Parents and working adults finding community, balance and wellness through programs that meet their needs and schedules.
- Seniors staying active, preventing and maintaining chronic diseases and improving their quality of life.
160,933
Individuals
Improved their health and well-being through membership at YMCA Community Centers, visiting our centers over 2.21 million times.
No matter the neighborhood or need, our commitment to accessibility ensures all ages across Central Ohio can find community, support and strength at the Y. With locations throughout the region and options for in-person, virtual and adaptive programs, the Y’s reach extends to wherever our neighbors need us most. Through partnerships with healthcare providers and key programs like SilverSneakers®, we make it possible for more individuals to access the resources they need to live well — for life.
One Family: Five Generations of Impact
For Lillian, the YMCA is more than a community center — it’s where multiple generations in her family find purpose, connection and belonging.
Lillian has been part of the YMCA community since before 2019 – first as a member, then working at Child Watch and now as a swim instructor.
Originally from New York and formerly in the Peace Corps, Lillian moved to Columbus with her three children, recently encouraging her mom to become a Y member as well. “Now she’s looking forward to finding her own community here,” Lillian said.
Lillian's Family
Lillian teaches swim lessons at the Hilltop YMCA, working with everyone from six-month-olds in parent-child classes to adults in their 70s. “It’s amazing to teach such a wide range of people,” she said.
“One day, I’m helping four-year-olds learn butterfly, and the next, I’m showing adults how to hum to keep water out of their noses. It’s such a joyful mix.”
Her three kids are just as connected to the Y. Josephine, 11, swims on the Poseidons swim team, but jumps into every new sport she can. Jennifer, 7, has tried basketball, swimming and dance. And for Levi, 8, who has autism, the YMCA has been life-changing.
“He used to shy away from people and hide,” Lillian said. “But now he talks to others and keeps coming back. The Y has helped him grow so much.” Levi’s especially excited to join the chess club at the Reynoldsburg Community Center YMCA.
She added, “The YMCA is one of the only places that truly welcomes every generation. It’s not just for kids or just for seniors; it’s for all of us.” That means Lillian’s mother can build community, her son can thrive, her daughters can try countless sports and Lillian gets to be part of something bigger.
From swim parties and chess clubs to group fitness and lifelong friendships, the Y provides more than programs, serving five generations every day and offering a place of belonging for all people, of all ages.
44,803 Older Adults
Stayed active, built community and improved their quality of life at YMCA Community Centers across Central Ohio
Housing Stability
Creating Access. Building Stability. Restoring Hope.
At the YMCA of Central Ohio, we believe everyone should have the essential resources required to meet their daily needs and the support to build what comes next. That’s why we provide access to opportunities for all through critical programs that transform lives, walking alongside our community’s most vulnerable neighbors with compassion, consistency and care.
The YMCA is committed to meeting our marginalized neighbors’ most pressing challenges, starting with the most basic of human needs: food security, health services, shelter and housing and other resources essential to daily stability. These vital programs and services extend beyond our community centers and provide a lifeline to those who need us most.
Emergency Shelter Services
4,194
Unhoused Individuals
(Including 932 children)
Found a safe space and a warm bed in our emergency shelters on their path to stable housing
Rapid Re-housing Services
1,585
Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Received case management, financial assistance and support to exit shelters and return to stable housing
Permanent Supportive Housing
215
Households
Received affordable housing and supportive services, stabilizing the most vulnerable experiencing
chronic homelessness and a disability
Utilizing a Housing First approach, the YMCA addresses housing insecurity through essential programs that provide shelter, stability and long-term support.
Emergency Shelter
The Van Buren Center Emergency Shelter offers immediate, low-barrier access to individuals and families facing homelessness. With a flexible capacity to serve 600-800 people nightly depending on the current need, it is one of the largest shelters in the region.
Rapid Re-housing
Case managers prioritize getting permanent housing as quickly as possible and focus on housing stability and community connections. Support continues after housing is secured to ensure long-term stability.
Permanent Supportive Housing
Combining affordable housing with critical support services, this national best practice helps the most vulnerable experiencing chronic homelessness and a mental and/or physical disability achieve stability and independence.
Through the YMCA’s housing and shelter programs, we serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness, navigating crises or facing gaps in support. We meet people at their most difficult moments and help them take the next step, providing not just shelter but dignity, stability and the opportunity to rebuild.
This includes delivering wraparound services that address the full picture: access to food, transportation, employment support, mental health support and case management. By bridging gaps in services and walking alongside each individual, we help people take steps toward greater self-sufficiency and spark long-lasting change. With the support of our community and partners, the YMCA is not only a place to meet your needs, but a place to belong, to be seen and to start again.
Maximizing Accessibility To Housing: James’ Story
When James moved into the YMCA’s Permanent Supportive Housing program in December 2022, he was starting over. After a battle with cancer that left him weighing 88 pounds, he found more than a roof over his head; he found home.
“The guys here helped me when I was down,” James said. “They’d ask me every day, ‘You need something from the store?’ They made sure I ate, got out of bed, kept my clothes washed. That meant a lot.”
James's Story
James lived at the Y’s temporary housing site, a converted hotel off Route 161, before moving into the newly constructed McKinley Manor in January 2024. In fact, he was one of its first residents. New hardwood floors and natural light awaited him — perfect for his green thumb — along with plenty of wall space for his OSU flags, Steelers gear and framed quotes: “Leave the drama at your house; peace, love and respect live here.”
That commitment to community led him to join the Resident Advisory Board, a group of residents who meet monthly with YMCA staff to improve life and foster connection at McKinley Manor. After securing a grill, James proposed and personally funded a community cookout to coincide with his 66th birthday. “We’re gonna bless the food, sit down, enjoy ourselves. I want it to feel like family,” he said. “My son’s coming to give free haircuts. I’m paying him, but it’s free to them.”
James focuses on paying compassion forward. “You never know what someone’s going through. If we can help, that’s a blessing,” he said. Together, he and Miss Jessica, his lead case manager, are working toward his next goal: securing a house where he can host all his grandkids.
Still, no matter what, James knows he has a home at McKinley. That’s why the YMCA works to maximize accessibility to housing and shelter, because all people deserve a safe, stable home. “This place, this community, it saved my life. And I’m grateful every single morning I wake up.”
Spirit Day
Celebrating youth with fun, friendship and uplifting activities rooted in community spirit, made possible by our sponsor Battelle.
Healthy Kids Day
Families gathered at YMCA Community Centers across Central Ohio for a day of wellness, play and healthy living.
Naturalization Ceremony at North YMCA
Honoring new U.S. citizens with a heartfelt celebration of belonging, thanks to support from our partner American Electric Power Foundation.
Eldon and Elsie Ward Family YMCA playground ribbon cutting
Thanks to the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation for creating fun and future memories.
Stem and Mentorship at Hilltop YMCA from OSU Rocket Club
YMCA Teen Club participants enjoyed a hands-on experience.
Outdoor Inclusive Adventures
A joyful day outdoors celebrating all abilities through inclusive and engaging activities, in partnership with Franklin County Metro Parks.
Workforce Development
Honored to be highlighted in Columbus Business First for empowering workforce growth and opportunity.
Van Buren Center Emergency Shelter Holiday Celebration
Over 1,000 toys were donated to kids with the help of our volunteers.
COHHIO Affordable Housing Roundtable
The YMCA joined Congressman Mike Carey and other community partners for a solution-focused discussion.
Youth Development Partners Breakfast
Recognizing partners who make lasting impact possible in youth programs and beyond.
Volunteer Spotlight
Jim Durham: The Heartbeat of North YMCA
For nearly 50 years, Jim Durham has been the soul of the North YMCA, transforming lives through joyful service. What began as childhood dedication alongside his father as a Scout became a lifetime commitment: showing up at 6 a.m. to energize boot campers, welcoming new members and program participants, playing Santa for generations of families and quietly raising over $1 million through his unique “friendraising” approach.
Jim’s secret? He doesn’t ask for donations; he shares stories. Whether rallying his Blue Jackets ticket group or rounding up member dues, he turns casual conversations into community investment.
Jim's Story
Sure, his impact is measurable — 20 years of service on the board, significant personal giving and more than 20,000 volunteer hours, but his legacy goes farther: the teen parents who found hope at Breakfast with Santa, the boot campers who became board volunteers and the funding of entire parking lot, all because Jim makes people see the vision of building strong communities where all people reach their full potential.
Jim’s not just raising money; he knows the people he’s helping by name, even lending a hand at the front desk. Jim and his wife Nona have the fundraising superpower of connection. As North YMCA Advisory Board Chair, Debbie Brooks said, “Jim loves the North Y and kids, so fundraising comes easy to him, maybe because he is a kid at heart!” From Spider-Man costumes at Trunk-or-Treat to mentoring new leaders, Jim proves that philanthropy isn’t about transactions but transformation.
In his words, “If people know the need, they’ll meet it.” For five decades, Jim has been that bridge; showing how one passionate storyteller can uplift an entire community..
"Jim loves the North Y and kids, so fundraising comes easy to him, maybe because he is a kid at heart!"
Debbie Brooks, North YMCA Advisory Board Chair
FY2024 Financial Reporting
Generating resources to strengthen communities where all people reach their full potential, the YMCA of Central Ohio is a responsible steward of public and private dollars. We secure multiple funding sources, including public resources with government entities and private partnerships with companies, individuals and families, to deliver our programs and sustain our impact.
An investment in the YMCA is an investment in the community. This includes membership, programs, child care, donations and volunteer service. Your involvement and support of the YMCA leads to a greater footprint of impact and transformation. Thank you to our dedicated staff, donors, members and volunteers for another year of tremendous impact across Central Ohio. Because of you, people experience connected communities.
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