The Greater Scranton YMCA

1. Tell us a brief history/background of your organization?

The Greater Scranton YMCA's mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit and mind. Strengthening community is our cause. The Greater Scranton YMCA, established in 1858, serves infants through older adults, with year-round programs that include full and half day childcare, before and after school care, summer day camp, summer learning loss prevention and more. The Greater Scranton YMCA nurtures the youth we serve through wellness, socialization and academics. Our Y provides the resources needed for healthy lifestyles. Through programs like LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, Enhance®Fitness, The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program and more, we aim to educate families to make life-long healthy lifestyle choices. Programs like Group Exercise, Water Aerobics, Silver Sneakers and more ensure adults have every opportunity to connect with one another and engage in meaningful activities.

2. Tell us an interesting and fun tidbit about your business. e.g., your company mascot or pet, a fun outing your company held, the unorthodox way your leadership team brainstorms, the unusual ways your team communicates, etc.

Here are three fun facts about the YMCA:

·         Father’s Day began at the YMCA. It was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd, in Spokane, WA, at the YMCA in 1910. Sonora’s father, William Jackson Smart, raised six children on his own.

·         Basketball was invented by a YMCA employee. While working as an instructor at Springfield, Massachusetts’ YMCA International Training College, James Naismith created basketball as a way to energize his students during the winter of 1891.

·         Volleyball was invented at a YMCA. Four years after Naismith, William G. Morgan developed the sport as a less demanding alternative to basketball.

3. How is your organization a leader in your industry?

There is no other nonprofit quite like the Y. That’s because in 10,000 neighborhoods across the nation, we have the presence and partnerships to not just promise, but deliver lasting personal and social change.

4. How is your organization a leader in the community?

The Greater Scranton YMCA works every day to address community needs and ensure all are welcome and no one is turned away for an inability to pay. In our most recently completed fiscal year (ended 6/30/19), the Greater Scranton YMCA awarded $373,440 (approximately 10% of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s budget) in financial assistance to children, adults and families from across Northeastern Pennsylvania who could not afford to participate in membership or programs. Additionally, the Y served: 12,417 members (in 2019), 415 children in summer day camp, 1,681 individuals through aquatics programs, 154 children in early childhood education programs, 781 children in sports and enrichment programs, 30 children in the Y’s 7th Grade Initiative, 40 children in the after school program, 29 children in the Y’s summer learning loss prevention program and 89 adults in chronic disease prevention and management programs.