Who We Are & What We Do

The Akron Area YMCA provides opportunities for families to strengthen their spirit, mind and body through hundreds of programs, services and volunteer opportunities. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes and abilities and are the nation’s largest community service organization and charity of choice. Our Partners With Youth Annual Giving Campaign makes scholarship and financial assistance available to ensure no one is turned away from the Akron Area YMCA.

The Akron Area YMCA serves the community with seven full-time Early Care and Education Centers, more than 30 before and after school sites, 5 membership branches and two program branches. We also provide Northeast Ohio with premiere camping year-round at Camp Y-Noah and operate Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs.

“We do what we do because we want individual men, women, boys and girls to have access to this great rich thing we call the YMCA Experience. All that we do is focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”

Since 1931, the Akron Area YMCA continues to build… Strong Kids:

• Instilling a sense of belonging in 1,200 kids at 9 Summer Day Camp centers
• Encourages teens to develop leadership skills through Teen Leadership programs
• Supporting 160 students daily in the Phoenix Alternative Education Program
• Coaching 600 young athletes in competitive swimming and gymnastics teams

“I’m so excited! The YMCA is so very, very awesome. It’s fun and I love it.”

Strong Families:

• Supervising 1,500 children in Child Watch while parents benefit from YMCA programs
• Serving 1,000 kids daily in Before and After School Programs at 30 sites
• Organizing 3,700 parent and child teams during weekend campouts
• Offering Arthritis Swim Classes to 300 senior citizens

“It's hard for my husband to leave us for active duty at Fort Hood. Managing four little ones on my own is a real challenge. Going to the YMCA was the first time I was able to get out of the house with all four of my children. The YMCA recognizes my kids and supports me everyday. It's become a familiar thing and something we can count on.”

Strong Communities:

• Hosting Healthy Kids Day for over 250 kids, teens, adults and families
• Supporting health and wellness of the community through America On the Move events
• Involving over 2,000 volunteers in community programs
• Collaborating with over 100 organizations and agencies

“The YMCA provides a connection for us to give back to the community. Sometimes our church is perceived as being a handout. The Y provides a great partnership for our teens and us to lend a hand to serve. Families look for a place to belong. It is a joy for us.”