 History
YMCA History
The
parent organization of The Family YMCA is over 150 years old.
- The Young
Men’s Christian
Association (YMCA) was founded in 1844 by George Williams of England
who sought to offer Christian social and fitness alternatives to the
vices he perceived during the Industrial Revolution.
- Thomas Sullivan, a sea
captain, brought the movement to the United States in 1851.
- The YMCA has played a
significant
role in history: basketball, volleyball, racquetball, group camping and
group swimming were invented by YMCA directors.
- YMCAs helped found the
USO, Boy
Scouts of America and Camp Fire girls.
- Today, the YMCA is
inclusive
of all individuals regardless of gender and religious beliefs.
- The national
organization
consists of more than 2,617 chapters in the United States, each charged
with defining its own mission.
- In 2003, YMCAs had
total revenue of
$4.6 billion from the following sources:
- 30% program
fees
- 33% membership dues
- 15% charitable
contributions
- 5% resident camping
and quarters fees
- 12% government
contracts and
foundation grants
- 5% miscellaneous
- In 2005, YMCAs revenue was $5.06 billion
- YMCAs are collectively the largest not-for-profit community service organization in the U.S.
- YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, abilities and incomes--everyone is welcome.
- YMCAs
are at the heart of community life in America: 42 million families and
72 million household are located within three miles of a YMCA
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- YMCAs have
international scope.
- YMCAs are
established in more than
120 countries, serving over 120 million people with programs.
- Approximately 230
local United States
YMCAs maintain more than 370 relationships with YMCAs in other
countries.
Local History Facts
The
Family YMCA is a charitable, social, health and well-being
institution that started in Los Alamos in 1955.
- Due
to the relative
isolation
of the community, people felt there was a need for a place where
families could do things together. Subsequently, through an Act of
Congress, the Los Alamos chapter became the first "Family" YMCA.
Subsequently, our complete and proper business name, registered at the
national level, is The Family YMCA. We are proud to have that unique
name.
- We are led by a
volunteer
board of directors and an executive director.
- Our mission is to
build
strong kids, strong families and strong communities in spirit, mind and
body.
- Our driving vision is
to
provide the best facilities and programs that will support total
community wellness.
- Our core values of
caring,
honesty, respect and responsibility are stressed in all programming and
interactions.
- Our main facility is
housed in an
18,000 square foot building.
- We serve 2,300
facility
members and 3,200 program members.
- Our annual budget is
$1.4
million dollars.
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Los Alamos Historical Time line
1954
- First organizing committee met and a temporary board of
directors was named.
1955
- An organizing board was established.
- The YMCA accreditation application was sent.
- AEC provided use of T-18 building to the YMCA at the price
of $1.00 per year (with utilities included) as long as the YMCA would
maintain and repair the building as needed.
- Created by an “Act of Congress” the Los Alamos
YMCA became the first YMCA in the nation to be chartered as a
“Family” YMCA
- 10/1/55 was Ray Catan’s first day on the job as YMCA
Executive Director.
- 10/30/55 was the first official YMCA board meeting in which
Jesse Rose was elected as YMCA Board President.
1956
- The YMCA was moved from T-18 to the Gamma Building at 15th
Street and Central Avenue.
1963
- The YMCA was moved to a dorm building at 15th Street and
Iris Street under an AEC lease.
1964
- Planning for the first capital campaign was begun. By the
beginning of the campaign the YMCA had three phases of development in
mind:
- Phase I: $180,000- For a Youth & Community Site
- Phase II: $ 300,000- For an Adult Health Club
- Phase III: $450,000- For a Swimming Pool Facility
1965
- Phase I was scaled down and produced approximately $88,000.
- The concept of the Swimming Pool was passed to Los Alamos
County in hopes that the construction occur on YMCA property.
1966
- The YMCA offices were moved again to the Miles Building,
rent free, for the duration of the construction of the new facility.
- Four acres of land were purchased at 15th and Iris streets
from AEC for $5600.
1967
- The new all-purpose YMCA facility was dedicated and opened.
The total cost of the project was $51,358.
1968
- 6/11/68 was opening day for the new health club facility.
- New handball and squash courts were opened along with the
new lobby
area.
1969
- The YMCA officially went from being 10% self staining in
1961, to 100% self sustaining.
1972
- Swimming classes were held at Bob Waterman’s
Condominiums pool across the street from the YMCA at 15th St. and Iris
St.
- The YMCA became a United Way organization as recipients.
- A temporary building was placed on YMCA property to house
the Los Alamos Family Council.
1975
- The YMCA declined offers to lease or buy the playing field
at the
east end of the post office.
1979
- The YMCA began keeping $650,000, 10 7/8% from a 30 year
loan, to build a swimming pool.
1980
- The YMCA continued to try and finance $1,015,000 for a new
building
and a swimming pool.
1982
- The main YMCA opened a satellite branch in White Rock.
1983
- The swimming pool project was dropped and remodeling
projects began to be discussed.
1987-88
- The YMCA was completely renovated and expanded. New locker
rooms, a whirlpool, a new racquetball court, and an aerobics room were
all
added to the facility.
1988
- The first YMCA membership cards issued. They were laminated
and include the members name and a bar code.
- The YMCA replaced the “old” vans with new ones.
1989
- April: At the request of LAPS, a trade agreement was made
between them and the YMCA to provide aerobics classes for school
employees in exchange for usage of space for Before/After School
programming.
- October: A request by the schools was made to extend usage
of the YMCA to the entire facility, not just for aerobics classes.
1990
- The First Annual YMCA Family Fun Run was held during Red
Ribbon Week.
- The First Annual YMCA Bench Press Contest was held.
1991
- The first shipment of “bench steps” was
received for the first and ever popular Step Aerobics class.
- A new trade agreement was made with LAPS that granted them
access to the entire facility.
- The YMCA before/after school programs became recognized
licensed care providers by the State of New Mexico.
1992
- The Family YMCA's story was featured in the national magazine, Discovery YMCA.
1993-94
- Plans began being proposed for a new YMCA facility or to
update with renovations on the existing facility. One of the proposed
ideas was that of a “climbing wall.”
1995
- The first photo I.D.’s were issued to members.
- The finalization processes of the “climbing
wall” plans were being made.
- The YMCA launches a capital campaign with an aggressive
goal of $500,000 to build a gymnasium addition on site.
1996
- In May, a 3,000 sq. ft. annex was rented from the
Netuschil’s in Central Park Square to expand programming and free
up space. The move provided an expanded cardio and weight room at the
main facility.
1997
- The Climbing Wall has a grand opening in August.
1999
- A special use permit is turned down for the Y gymnasium
construction to be east of the building. The gym is moved north of the
main facility causing cost to increase.
2000
- The first Red and Black Ball was held to help raise funds
for the gymnasium.
2001
- The YMCA stops leasing the Annex space in May, in
preparation for a move to the new gym.
2002
- The gymnasium is completed in October.
2005
- A 28-passenger activity bus is purchased for expanded
programming with the help of annual campaign funds and a generous gift
from the Washington Group.
2007
- The Family YMCA operates a summer camp at James Rodriguez elementary school in Española.
- Y discusses operating a teen Student Center for the city of Española in the fall.
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