On June 6 the YMCA marks more than 170 years as more than a place, it is a movement that offers programs and services designed to foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Here are five past notable events and achievements that demonstrate the Y’s commitment to the communities it serves:
 
1. American Institutions: Celebrations such as Father’s Day, and organizations like the Peace Corps, all have their roots at the YMCA.
 
2. Camping Under the Stars: The oldest known summer camp, Camp Dudley, first opened in 1855 and countless numbers of boys and girls have since learned the skills and wonders of camping through the Y, developing critical skills and making memories along the way.
 
3. Inventing New Ways to Play: From James Naismith's invention of basketball to instructors creating racquetball and what would eventually become volleyball, the Y has a rich tradition in activities that are played by millions of people around the globe. One Y staffer, Robert J. Roberts, is even credited with inventing the term “body building.”
 
4. Nobel Laureate: YMCA leader John R. Mott was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for the Y's groundbreaking role in raising global awareness and support and for the organization’s humanitarian efforts.
 
5. Furthering Education: The Y is credited with spearheading the first public libraries, night school for adult education and English as a Second Language courses.
 
How the Y is relevant in 2017
 
Today, the Y serves more than 22 million people annually and offers resources at over 2,700 locations across all 50 states. Here are three ways “community” continues as the Y’s number one cause:
Nurturing the Potential of Our Kids: When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Nationwide, the Y helps over nine million youth to close gaps in hunger, health, learning, water safety and safe spaces while providing a place to stay healthy, build friendships, and achieve more – all while having fun! Each program demonstrates the Y’s unwavering commitment to ensuring children are on track for a successful education, especially those in underserved communities.
 
The Family YMCA of Greater Augusta has countless programs available to help nurture your child’s potential, from youth sports to summer camp and our PrimeTime after-school care program. The possibilities are endless for your child to grow and thrive into a confident young person with these programs!
 
Improving the Nation’s Health: More than a place to work out, the Y offers programs that help individuals and families improve their health and enact changes that strengthen their community and society as a whole. From working with people who are trying to find ways to improve health, but don’t know how, to preventing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and helping people recover from serious illnesses like cancer, the Y is one of the few organizations in the country with the size and influence that can effectively reach millions of people.
 
Here in the C.S.R.A., our annual Team Lean wellness challenge saw over 1,000 people choosing to start this year leaner and stronger. Over 10,000 pounds have been lost in the C.S.R.A. since the start of Team Lean in 2008.
 
Support For All Our Neighbors: As one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, the Y's social services and volunteer programs help more than 10,000 communities nationwide. From helping newcomers and immigrants adjust to new communities to member-led community service projects through the Togetherhood program, every effort helps to make a difference.
 
We believe all are welcome at the YMCA, which is why no one is turned away for the inability to pay. Earlier this year during our Annual Campaign, the YMCA of Greater Augusta raised a record $1.2 million for our Financial Assistance Program, allowing for low-income individuals and families access to the life-changing programs available at the YMCA.