History of the Tampa YMCA
The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA was founded based on the core character values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.
The YMCA continues to flourish because those values are as relevant to today’s world as they were in 1844, when a young drapery clerk named George Williams sought to develop a wholesome place for young people to escape the immorality of the London Streets during the Industrial Revolution.
By 1851, there were 24 Ys in Great Britain, with a combined membership of 2,700. That same year the Y arrived in North America. It was established in Montreal on November 25 and in Boston on December 29. From there, the YMCA grew quickly across the United States and Canada.
In 1889, the first YMCA facility was built in Tampa–a 50,000-square-foot building on the corner of North Florida Avenue and Zack Street. The building cost $100,000 and was funded entirely through contributions from individuals. This YMCA brought Tampa its first gymnasium and indoor swimming pool. It also had residential headquarters to provide housing for young men when they came to the city.
Over the decades, that first location has grown to multiple family facilities, wellness centers, golf facilities an outdoor adventure camp and numerous program sites across Hillsborough and eastern Pasco counties. Each location provides the wholesome, life-enriching activities young George Williams envisioned so long ago. YMCAs all across America became an integral part of our culture’s fabric, sparking a spirit of creativity that has given us basketball and volleyball, both invented at the YMCA; the idea of night school which has enabled so many to further their education; and the concepts for healthy organizations including the Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls.
Today, the YMCA, the largest and oldest service organization in America, serves over 17 million members in 120 countries. In Tampa Bay alone, we reach hundreds of thousands of individuals each year through membership, programs and outreach activities in our community. Through strategic vision, we have laid the foundation to take the Tampa YMCA into the future so we can continue to serve the Tampa Bay community for years to come.
Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is a Nonprofit Organization
The Tampa Y is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization that plays an important role in our community. The YMCA's mission is to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Our focus areas include Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.
The Tampa YMCA believes lasting personal and social change is best accomplished when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. Community support from individuals and local partnerships helps our Y address critical community needs through program scholarships and free offerings.
Our Summer Camp, LIVESTRONG, Diabetes Prevention, Teen Achievers and Safety Around Water programs are examples of our commitment to positively impact the lives of our community members.
Donations to the Tampa YMCA, including our locations and programs, enables individuals to learn how to swim and be safe around the water, prevent and cope with chronic diseases, and to build self-confidence and social skills.
The Tampa YMCA, along with all those we serve, are full of gratitude for all our partners that help us make a difference in the lives of thousands of kids, adults, seniors, families, cancer survivors in our community. Tampa Y's impact is possible because of our community's generosity.
Our Commitment to Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Y is made up of people of all ages and from every walk of life working side by side to strengthen communities. Together we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect and responsibility—they guide everything we do.