Ys are for peopleof all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. No one is turned away for inability to pay. YMCAs' strength is in the people they bring together. In the average YMCA, a volunteer board sets policy for its executive, who manages the operation with staff and volunteer leaders. Ys meet local community needs through organized activities called programs.
YMCA programs are tools for building the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Longtime leaders in community-based health and fitness and aquatics, Ys teach kids to swim, offer exercise classes for people with disabilities and lead adult aerobics. These 2,372 Ys were run by 61,082 volunteer policymakers serving on Y boards and committees, plus 539,385 volunteer program leaders and uncounted other volunteers, all of whom worked with paid professional staff members. These volunteers and staff members worked not only out of YMCA buildings and resident camps but also out of rented quarters, parks and playgrounds. Some Ys have no building at all. Each is independent.