Celebrating 125 Years at the YMCA

By Chelsea Joslyn, Communications Director for the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina

This month, the YMCA will celebrate 125 years strengthening communities across Northwest North Carolina. When the YMCA was first formed in Winston-Salem on October 27, 1888 it was made up of just 129 charter members and a few meeting rooms on the corner of Main and Third Streets in downtown Winston-Salem. It wasn’t until nearly 10 years later the Y moved to the building with a gymnasium, and 10 years after that to a building that included a swimming pool.

One thing that has remained the same is our mission, “Helping people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body.” Today, the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina includes 15 branches, which serve seven counties (Forsyth, Davie, Iredell, Yadkin, Stokes, Alexander and Wilkes), as well as a division for Childcare Services, and YMCA Camp Hanes. The Y engages more than 115,000 people in our communities.

When you join the Y, you join more than a gym – you join a community. Strengthening community is our cause.  Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

We want to celebrate 125 years of impacting lives through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. This October you can join the Y for just $1 joining fee. Current members can refer a friend for $25 off their next month’s dues. Visitwww.ymcanwnc.org to find a location near you.

Thank you for supporting the Y and programs that enable kids to realize their potential, offer ways for families to have fun together, and empower people to be healthier in spirit, mind and body.

Image above is Spruce Street YMCA (Winston-Salem) photographed sometime during 1927-1976.

Sponsored by the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina