Celebrating Our Legacy this Founder’s Day

On June 6, the YMCA celebrates 181 years of doing good. This global organization, founded in 1844 by George Williams in London, began with a simple but powerful idea to help people build healthier, happier lives.

Today, the YMCA is one of the world’s largest volunteer organizations known for helping people of every background reach their potential. The Y serves more than 22 million people annually and offers resources at more than 2,700 locations across all 50 states.

Our story began in 1934 as part of a national movement with a simple, powerful idea: everyone deserves a safe place to grow stronger in spirit, mind and body. From our early days of youth programs and housing for young men to today’s holistic approach to wellness, child development, and community building, our mission has remained constant – to strengthen the foundations of community.

For more than 90 years, the YMCA has been a cornerstone of the Orange County community, evolving and growing alongside the people who call it home. Last year alone:

• 31,905 children built confidence and friendships at the Y through our Child & Youth Development programs. These programs provide safe, enriching environments before and after school, in preschool classrooms and at summer day camps.
• 72,137 members across 108 locations found belonging at the Y. From young families to active older adults, our facilities and programs provided a place for people to come together, share experiences and build lasting relationships.
• 34,383 members pursued their health goals through five fitness-equipped locations featuring state-of-the-art equipment, pools and outdoor fitness spaces. Whether it is through the encouragement of a personal trainer or the camaraderie of a group exercise class, the Y helps build confidence, resilience and a commitment to lifelong wellness.
• 6,892 children discovered their potential through our youth sports programs. Every day, children at the Y learn to dribble on the basketball court, kick their first soccer goal or master the basics of swimming – gaining skills that go far beyond the game.

Our impact on the community is evident in the connections people make here, as well as in the opportunities people find at the Y to serve, support, and grow together. As we look to the future, we are excited to build upon the work of those who came before us, the Founders who believed in the power of belonging and the importance of caring for people at every stage of life.

The YMCA of Orange County is not just part of the community’s past, it’s an essential part of its future. As we build upon the work of the Founders, our next chapter promises to reflect everything we’ve learned across generations: that community matters and that health is more than just fitness. Together, we will redefine what it means to belong.

Happy Founder’s Day!