Strong Communities Where All People Reach Their Full Potential
Dear Friends & Supporters,
The YMCA of Central Ohio envisions a future of strong communities where all people reach their full potential. This is our north star, our cause and why we exist. As we respond to community needs, we continue to create opportunities for access to guide and connect individuals to critical resources. The YMCA aims to ensure health, well-being and opportunity for all. We know when individuals fulfill their basic needs, they can achieve higher needs, leading them to reach their full potential.
What we believe will determine our future.
We believe...
- All families should have access to affordable, high-quality child care.
- Whole-person health is built from the inside out.
- Safe, stable, and affordable housing is necessary for achieving security and other basic needs.
Because of our reach and breadth of services offered, the YMCA is uniquely positioned to connect individuals with programs and resources that address our region’s most critical issues: Housing, Emergency Shelter, Child Care, Youth and Teen Engagement and Community Health and Well-Being.
The YMCA of Central Ohio remains committed to partnerships and solutions that ensure we remain nimble and inclusive to the communities we serve. Together, we can continue to transform lives.
In Service,
Tony Collins, President & CEO
Mark Slayman, Chair, Board of Trustees
[Download 2023 Annual report PDF]
MISSION
We serve the whole community through programs expressing Judeo-Christian principles that build a healthy spirit, mind and body.
VISION
We envision a future with strong communities where all people reach their full potential.
VALUES
We do our work while honoring our core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.
Diversity & Inclusion
The YMCA of Central Ohio is committed to strengthening communities to affect lasting, meaningful change. The success of our mission requires engagement of our entire community, and is only attainable when diversity and inclusion are core to our planning, programming, staffing, communications, organizational structure and partnerships.
Community Starts Here
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.
Youth Development
Empowering All Youth to Reach Their Full Potential
30,000 kids served through youth development programs in 2023
The YMCA's Early Learning Center has profoundly impacted Taja Hammond and her family. The center provided an environment where Taja's youngest daughter, Charlie, could thrive. Taja praises the YMCA for instilling a passion for learning in Charlie, ensuring she’ll be well-prepared for kindergarten and beyond.
As the largest provider of Youth Development programming in Ohio, we work hard every day to connect families to the educational resources their children need to thrive.
Healthy Living
Improving Individual and Community Well-being
106,000 individuals improved their health through membership in YMCA Community Centers.
In 2019, a brain aneurysm drastically altered Amy Smith’s life, leaving her unable to walk, talk or read. After leaving the hospital, Amy continued her recovery at the Hilliard/Ray Patch Family YMCA. Each session in the pool or on the yoga mat helped her regain strength and independence.
The YMCA of Central Ohio is proud to provide a sanctuary for Amy and an empowering environment for all individuals, serving to strengthen spirit, mind and body. At the Y, membership means more than going to the gym. It's a powerful and lasting connection to your community.
Social Responsibility
Inspiring Action and Change in Our Communities
1,024 families were served in our Stable Families program.
Jessica transformed her life with the help of connections she made through the YMCA of Central Ohio.
From utilizing childcare to complete her college education as a single mother, to finding housing stability and financial assistance, she now enjoys financial independence in her new career.
Connecting individuals and families to the resources they need most is a vital piece of the work the YMCA does to strengthen our communities.