About Us
The YMCA is a mission driven, values-based organization providing quality, affordable services for all. The children, families and older adults accessing services come from all socioeconomic backgrounds. We offer scholarships and reduced fees for families that need financial support to access services. Last year we provided $2.2 million in scholarships and reduced fees to 6,000 individuals. We’re more than a health and wellness organization, we’re a community. The YMCA addresses major health and human service needs in our community at every life stage through the following service areas.
- Early childhood development
- Before and after school enrichment
- Teen development
- Health and wellness
- Youth sports
- Year-round resident camping
And, our Y Arts Center offers pottery, ceramics, crafts and photography classes for individuals of all ages. Also, the Family Resource Center links resources within communities to strengthen families, enhance the capabilities of parents and foster the optimal development of children.
The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette provides services to 74,000 people each year. Our volunteer led organization is supported by 3,400 volunteers. YMCA Fact Sheet
YMCA Video
For more information about the YMCA, please View our video.
Contact Information
Contact Us
Management
Board of Trustees
2006 Form 990 (Available Upon Request)
Our Approach
Our approach is preventative, by focusing on positive behaviors we help kids avoid risky behaviors and people of all ages make healthy decisions. Our services benefit youth as they mature and strengthen society with more productive citizens who use fewer services supported by tax dollars (housing, food, justice system, etc.). The YMCA family wellness centers promote healthy lifestyles and decrease the costs of expensive health care.
YMCA Outcomes
The YMCA creates developmentally rich program environments by focusing on developmental assets, which are the building blocks young people need to become healthy, caring and competent adults. The more assets children have, the more likely they are to act in positive ways, bounce back from difficult situations and avoid risky behaviors. Here are some examples of our results.
- 98% of the youth participating in our year-round resident camping believe that YMCA activities helped them learn how to be a better learner
- 97% of the teens participating in a teen program believe that involvement in the YMCA helps them make better decisions
- 96% of the teens participating in our teen programs now feel after being a part of the YMCA they can make a positive difference
- 93% of YMCA preschool children met or exceeded social and emotional developmental benchmarks versus their peers at 70%
- 85% of YMCA preschool children meet or exceed social and emotional developmental benchmarks versus their peers at 70%
- 72% of YMCA children participating in arts and literacy programs improved their academic performance
Our Numbers
The following information for 2007 shows how the YMCA continues to impact lives in the Portland and Vancouver regional area.
$2,200,000 in scholarships, reduced fees and free services were provided to 6,000 children, individuals and families participating in Y programs.
74,000 youth, adult and active older adults participated in Y programs.
More than 1,245,000 visits annually to our health and wellness facilities, child care centers and school age enrichment programs.
3,400 volunteers helped provide quality programs at the YMCA
9,300 youngsters participated in youth sports.
More than 2,000 youth experienced the great outdoors at YMCA Camp Collins. 438 campers received financial assistance.
2,600 children were served each day in more than 55 Child Development Centers and school age programs. The YMCA is the largest nonprofit provider of child care in the Portland and Vancouver regional area.
5,700 teens engaged in YMCA activities that help them take personal responsibility.
