Greater Scranton YMCA
Organizational History
The Greater Scranton YMCA was founded in 1858 and relocated to Dunmore from Downtown Scranton in the early 1970s. At this time, membership and programs were offered to women and girls and the facility became a full-fledged family organization. When the local YWCA ceased its operations in Scranton in the 1980s, the Greater Scranton YMCA offered to incorporate its remaining members into its roster.
At the Y, our most important goal is to keep our facility available to the kids and families who need it most, as giving kids a safe and nurturing place to go benefits everyone and makes the community we love a better place to live. As a charity, we work every day to address community needs and ensure that all are welcome and that no one is turned away for an inability to pay.
The Greater Scranton YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and for all. Here, strengthening our community is our cause!
The Y is the organization that:
met the practical and spiritual needs of young men flocking to London during the Industrial Revolution.
has served the military and military families in every U.S. conflict since the Civil War.
inspired the formation of the U.S.O., Peace Corps, and Father’s Day.
met immigrants coming off the boats at Ellis Island to offer services and support in making a new life.
began the first night of school and English as a Second Language course.
invented group swimming lessons, basketball, volleyball, and racquetball, and gave them to the community.
provided quality and affordable child care when women began joining the workforce in droves.
began values education at a time of social unrest.
Tell us an interesting fact about your organization.
Basketball, volleyball, racquetball, and group swimming lessons were all invented at the Y!
How is your organization a leader in the community?
The Greater Scranton YMCA has remained relevant for more than 160 years. We promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility for all. The Greater Scranton YMCA has stood as a landmark and anchor in the greater Scranton region since its inception. The Y continuously provides individuals and families with access to essential programs and services for those who may otherwise be unable to take advantage of all the Y offers. As always, no matter how our community changes, the Y will adapt in meeting those changes.
The Greater Scranton YMCA will always serve all members of the community regardless of their ability to pay. As a charity, the Y works every day to ensure that all are welcome. We provide quality, affordable childcare, and after-school and summer camp programs and open all of our programs to working families. Here, older adults have every opportunity to connect with one another.
Organizational Highlights
The Greater Scranton YMCA recently completed major renovations to its facility in Dunmore! Projects included the creation of a commercial kitchen and teaching kitchen and the overall renovation of our existing Welcome Center. These projects will allow us to better serve our members and community, as well as serve more healthy meals to children, adults, and families from our community who are in need.