Our Vibrant Community
Celebrating the People of Santa Monica & Venice Who Make Our Y Great During 30 Days of Thankfulness
As November comes to a close, so does 30 Days of Thankfulness. At The Y over the last month, we had a gratitude wall where members could share the things they are grateful for. The 30 Days of Thankfulness Wall was overflowing down the hall, filled with notes about family, health, friends, and so much more. To share in this sense of gratitude was remarkable. Our final note of gratitude this month is for our vibrant community across Santa Monica, Venice, and surrounding areas. Our deepest appreciation is for the community that built us, sustains us, and continues to guide us.
Our History
The Santa Monica Family YMCA was first incorporated on April 19, 1901. The Santa Monica Family YMCA had its second start at a meeting held June 1927 in the cafeteria of Santa Monica High School. Under the leadership of Dr. C. H. Lewis, our first president, the Y embarked upon a mission to establish a place where local residents could share “friendship and faith,” running a variety of programs including beach playgrounds like the one pictured below.
Through the turbulent times of the Great Depression, the Y offered many youth and adult activities, including high school clubs, basketball leagues, and Indian Guide programs. Our first physical location was at Third and California. The Y continued to grow with additional purchases and the development of Camp Big Bear, opening in 1938. Other notable events were the founding of the Y”s Men”s Breakfast and Evening Clubs, our separation from the YWCA, and the official incorporation of the word “Family” into our name.
In 1946, the Sixth Street property was purchased for our expanding needs. Thanks to a successful capital campaign, the YMCA, in partnership with the YWCA, opened the doors to its new facility on January 15, 1950. During these years, The Y and YWCA cooperated the property, designating days of the week to serving men, and others to serving women, later integrating in the 1960s.
In 1983, the Y opened the Ralph W. Kiewit Fitness Center, the first part of a three-phase plan to enlarge existing facilities. Included in the Kiewit Center were a new fitness area with Nautilus equipment, a multi-purpose room for fitness and aerobic classes, and more space for our growing childcare programs.
1989 saw the grand opening of Phase II, which added the lap and teaching pools, two multi-purpose rooms, fitness center, and outdoor walking track.
In 2002, the Phase III Expansion project was completed to include a new gymnasium, racquetball courts, child watch center, computer lab, Teen and Senior Centers, weight room, and new Child Development Center.
Be. Become. Belong.
Throughout the History of our YMCA, one thing has remained consistent – our commitment to our community. We are guided by our core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, and reflect them in all we do. The way we want to show up for our community? We want to be Welcoming, Genuine, Hopeful, Nurturing, and Determined. Our goal is to ensure The Y is a place everyone can Be, Become, and Belong. We are grateful to be a place where people gather, invest their time, and invest in their community.
What Our Members Mean to Us
Our members mean the world to us. Behind every face that walks through that door is a story. What makes The Y special are the relationships we have the opportunity to build with each person who walks in.
We are lucky to get to be a part of people’s story. Maybe The Y the place you grew up. Maybe The Y is the place you built healthy habits and found your stride. Maybe The Y is the place you reconnected with friends after retirement. Whatever role our YMCA has been a part of in your life, we are grateful to be in community with you.
Community Support
Not only are our members and program participants an integral part of our Y, they also ensure that the YMCA is a place where more and more neighbors can be, become, and belong by contributing to our scholarship fund. Each year, The Y fundraises to provide scholarships to remove any financial barrier to the critical programs and services like childcare, healthy living activities for seniors, and teen programs. These grassroots fundraising efforts help put money right back in the pockets of our neighbors in need.
Year after year, our YMCA provides more scholarships to our neighbors, creating pathways for everyone to be, become, and belong. This work would not be possible without our community, generously supporting the work we do every day. Thank you for your steadfast support, giving more people the gift of community every day.
If you’re interested in helping us continue this work, there’s a few ways you can support The Santa Monica Family YMCA:
- Volunteer with Us! Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, directly serving your neighbors.
- Share the Work of The Y! Help us to continue spreading the word of the work happening at The Y.
- Attend Community Events! We would love to see you at one of our community events. Join us December 10th for Winter Wonderland, a family-friendly event with activities for everyone.
- Share Your Y Story! The best way to share the work of The Y is by telling the story of how it has impacted your life positively. Feel free to share your Y story with us here!
- Make a Donation to the Y to help us continue this important work! Make a gift here.
Join us in celebrating 30 Days of Thankfulness at The Y. Fall is the perfect time to reflect and celebrate all the people, places, and things that enrich our lives. This November, we are sharing our gratitude and collecting stories about what matters most to each of us. We invite you to share a story about what you’re grateful for at this link or when you come into The Y!
However you choose to show your thanks this month, know that together we can build a collective sense of appreciation & connectedness that pours back into our community. At The Y, we have so much to be grateful for; our members and participants, our staff and volunteers, and our community that has supported us since 1927!
