YMCA Sydney

We build strong people, strong families, strong communities

Making healthy lifestyles accessible to all people Providing rewarding volunteering opportunities Giving families the opportunity to be together Creating places for people to connect and belong Developing young people into young leaders Reconnecting children separated in Foster care

General

About the YMCA

Who We Are

The YMCA is a vibrant, self-funding, not-for-profit charity delivering contemporary programs focussed on family, healthy living, developing young people and those less fortunate, and connecting individuals, families and communities. The Y's ability to positively impact people's lives, strengthen communities and respond proactively to many of today's biggest social challenges is significant, with its diverse programs and services generating more than four million visits every year across 100 locations in 35 communities in NSW.

Vision: The YMCA believes Every community deserves a Y because every community deserves the benefits of good health, every individual deserves to feel like they belong and every family deserves to have quality time to spend together.

Values: Honesty: integrity, trustworthiness and fairness.
Respect: acceptance, empathy, self-respect and tolerance.
Caring: compassion, forgiveness, generosity and kindness.
Responsibility: commitment, courage and service.

Family Focus on family: The Y is dedicated to bringing families together, providing a 'third place' away from the pressures of work and home where they can connect and be active together. Through initiatives such as Family Memberships, the whole family can spend quality time together without financial burden.

Healthy Living Focus on healthy living: The Y has a direct impact on the health of individuals, families and communities through diverse programs spanning aquatics, fitness and sport, gymnastics and camping. There are programs designed for the young and old as well as people living with disabilities and Indigenous communities.

Developing Young People Focus on developing young people: The Y is passionate about developing Australia's future leaders and invests heavily in programs and services, such as Youth Parliament, which assist young people in reaching their potential. The Y is also the largest provider of Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) in NSW.

Those Less Fortunate Focus on those less fortunate: The Y believes that participation in any of its programs and services should not be restricted to the financially privileged. Through its Fee Assistance initiative, no person willing but unable to pay will be denied access. As a charity, the Y also runs many benevolent programs which are designed to have a positive impact on disadvantaged groups within the community.

Click here to download A snapshot of the Y

Programs and services:

The Y is the largest provider in NSW of Aquatic and Leisure Management, Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) and Gymnastics, and is the partner of choice for Local Government in more than 35 communities across NSW. Read more about our eight program areas:

The Y difference:

The Y is much more than a provider of community programs. It is an organisation committed to strengthening communities through developing young people, creating stronger families and helping those less fortunate. Embedded into everything the Y does is a commitment to community strengthening. Read more about the Y's community strengthening initiatives in action:

Community strengthening:

Benevolent programs:

As a charity, the YMCA also supports a number of benevolent programs to assist those in necessitous circumstances. Programs have been developed to target those with disabilities, the mentally ill, disadvantaged youth and families, and Indigenous Australians. Read more about these programs:

Click here to watch Chloe's story

Click here to watch the YMCA Rebuilding Families video