Founded on the premise of community and social responsibility, the YMCA celebrates 179 years of building a healthy spirit, mind, and body. On the bleak streets of 1800’s London, George Williams (then only 22), saw a discouraging sight—a stark lack of job opportunities for young men and a townful of bad influences. In a fervent attempt to build something better, he and 11 friends founded the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in 1844. It provided both an outlet and an escape from the rough streets; it became a space for gathering and community. This concept spread across England and eventually hopped the pond to the U.S. in 1851. Boston became the first American YMCA and Idaho followed suit not long after in 1891, just one year after officially becoming a state.
In a sense, the YMCA very much grew up with Idaho. Changing and expanding over the years, adapting to the needs of the community, which was the founding principle of George Williams.
As of 2023, there are more than 12,000 YMCAs across the world in 120 countries, serving more than 60 million people. It is also one of the largest employers in the Gem State, with over 1,000 employees in a variety of different locations, from traditional YMCAs to Healthy Living, Aquatic, and Child Development Centers. They also run a Y Camp at Horsethief Reservoir, which has been serving the public since 1905, operating on the values of developing a sense of self-worth, flourishing as a community member, creating a sense of leadership, and appreciating the ‘beauty, diversity, and interdependence of all forms of life and resources.’
Community Engagement Director, Carrie Magnuson, has been with the YMCA for over 20 years. Much like the YMCA has grown with Idaho, Carrie has grown with the YMCA and has watched it do the same for so many others. They pride themselves on never turning anyone away and being a “warm, safe space for everyone,” Carrie shared with a smile.
“The goal is to get people in the door,” Carrie continued. “The YMCA is community-driven, so we listen to the needs and build programming and spaces around that.”
Their latest community-found need is a new, larger space. Currently in its fundraising phase, the new downtown Y location will encompass physical activity, housing, medical needs, childcare, and so much more. Their new complex will be more than 25,000 square feet larger than the current 75,000 square foot facility and offer a variety of new programs which will be able to accommodate even more people. At the current Downtown Y, they help more than 15,000 people (from children to seniors and everything in between) lead a ‘happier, healthier life.’
“I’ve watched people I trained years ago flourish within their own careers here at the Y,” said Carrie. “It’s really a fulfilling experience.”
If you’re like myself and not wildly familiar with the YMCA and all of the amazing things it provides the community, then you’ll be similarly surprised to know they offer so much more than just a recreational facility. And while that facility is fully encompassing with yoga, Pilates, an indoor climbing studio, aquatic center, full-court basketball gym, and more, the YMCA also offers childcare and preschool, youth in government programs, fun runs, adaptive dance classes, homeschool PE, judo, neurologically-focused ‘movement for memory’ classes, and a seemingly endless list of wonderful resources for anyone, anywhere, at any stage of life.
They are also passionate about community partnerships. For example, the Tomlinson South Meridian YMCA is built in conjunction with the school, city parks and recreation, and the local library. The result: a beautiful recreation facility within the school, surrounded by a park, with a pool and a library. The new downtown Boise facility is being built in conjunction with new housing, healthcare, and finance partners.
David Duro, President and CEO of the Treasure Valley Family Y, says, “We are proud of the deep commitment to service our Y has provided for over a century as our history is rich with life-changing stories of hope, resilience, and strength. And we’re just getting started. Our big plans for the new Downtown Boise Y will provide an opportunity to meet the needs of our community through innovative partnerships and a transformative service-hub approach to community health. We have a bright future ahead.”
“We want to create the Y Experience for everyone,” shared Senior Marketing and Communications Director, KC Covert. And they more than succeed. No matter what the ‘Y Experience’ means for you—whether it’s simply a safe space to exercise or a post to enjoy a cup of coffee and your community of neighbors and friends—the YMCA has truly lived up to their mission ‘to empower young people and communities worldwide to build a just, sustainable, equitable and inclusive world, where every person can thrive in body, mind and spirit.’