Our Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Service to the First Coast
In 2018, we’re excited to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. Records show the charter for the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast was approved on February 20, 1908.
Notable moments in our history:
1870
Records show the first YMCA in Jacksonville originated in 1870 with J.M. Baker as president. The history of that organization was lost after 1876 and by 1900, there was no longer a Y in Jacksonville.
1908
On February 20, 1908, YUSA approves charter for the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. A seven-story YMCA opens at the corner of Laura and Duval Streets with a membership of 12 men. Designed by famed architect Henry John Klutho, the Y was framed entirely of reinforced concrete and eventually featured an indoor running track suspended over the gymnasium by cantilevered concrete beams.
1909
- Camp Immokalee established in Keystone Heights
1941
- Jacksonville YMCA reopens after its suspension during the Great Depression
1948
- The Davis Street Branch, now the Johnson Family YMCA, opens, serving the Northside community
1955
- Opening of YMCA in Riverside (later to be renamed the Claude J. Yates Family YMCA)
- Construction begins on swimming pool at YMCA in Riverside
1957
- Membership Drive exceeds goal with 1,358 members
- Dedication of Camp Immokalee Dining Hall, a gift from the Meninak Club of Jacksonville
- YMCA Day Camp Opens
1958
- YMCA launches youth aquatics program
- YMCA expands and provides new facilities in Arlington and St. Johns County
1959
- Jacksonville Mayor Haydon Burns received an honorary membership to the YMCA
- YMCA Camp receives $10,000 from Jacksonville Rotary Club to build Camp Immokalee Infirmary
- YMCA, with the Red Cross, begin teaching lifesaving classes
1962
- YMCA is 100 years old in America
1964
- Delta Hi-Y Founds Library as a service project
1965
- Drown-proofing program begins at the YMCA
- YMCA begins new membership campaign that strengthens physical, moral and spiritual values
1966
- YMCA offers first physical fitness tests to assess members exercise needs
1968
- YMCA desegregates facilities (Franklin D. Wilson initiated the movement)
1969
- Opening of new “Executive Health Club” with sauna and steam room at YMCA Riverside YMCA
1971
- YMCA permits women to join as members (Mrs. Sutton, secretary to the President, was the first female member)
1974
- YMCA in Riverside opens a new running track
1987
- First presence in Nassau County with after-school, day camp and youth soccer; operations were run out of City Recreation Department building
1988
- The Clay County YMCA (Dye Clay Family YMCA)opens on Moody Road in Orange Park; later renamed with YMCA President Bob Dye retired after 26 years of service to our association
- YMCA of Florida’s First Coast merged with the existing St. Augustine YMCA making it a part of the Association.
1995
- Williams Family YMCA opens in Mandarin
2000
- Broke ground on the Dye Clay Family YMCA Daystar building
2004
- Barco-Newton Family YMCA opens in Fleming Island
2008
- Brooks Family YMCA opens after 60,000 square foot building donated by Brooks Rehabilitation
2009
- YMCA’s Tiger Academy charter school opens
2016
- Winston Family YMCA opens in Riverside replacing the Yates Family YMCA
2017
- YMCA at Baptist North opens in partnership with Baptist Health at I-295 & Dunn Avenue
Though we’ve grown and evolved, one thing has remained constant: our mission. It is our reason for being and a driving force behind our cause to strengthen community.
Read more about Our Impact in Northeast Florida.
