A Legacy of Volunteerism
YMCA Celebrates 99 Years of Consistent Service
June 13th, 2026 marks the 99th anniversary of the Santa Monica Family YMCA! Over the last 99 years, our YMCA has had many iterations and innovations, but at the center of it all has been the community. Led by a group of passionate volunteers, the YMCA in Santa Monica was born in the Santa Monica High School Cafeteria on June 13th, 1927, laying the foundation to meet the community’s needs at every turn.
In minutes from an early meeting of the Santa Monica Family YMCA, Secretary A. Moody reported,
“All in all, a feeling of friendship and faith that our city had a new movement underway seemed to prevail.”
In 99 years, our Y has served thousands upon thousands of children, families, individuals, and seniors through an ever-evolving menu of programs and services. From the Hi-Y clubs in local high schools and Toast Masters, programs on the beach and Camp Big Bear, to today’s Makers Space and Junior Lakers Youth Basketball League, the Santa Monica Family YMCA has aligned its programs to align with the community’s needs.
Founded by a group of local, invested volunteers, our YMCA carries the spirit of community-driven leadership and volunteerism to this day. The work of The Y would not be possible without incredible volunteers who dedicate their time, treasure, and talent to ensure our organization is the best it can be. Thank you to all of our generous volunteers!
Looking back, we are proud of this incredible legacy of dedication, hard work, innovation, and above all else, service to the people of Santa Monica and Venice. Community has always been our cause, and we are eager to continue this proud legacy as we look toward a bright future!
The Legacy of Our Volunteers
In 1844, the Young Men’s Christian Association was founded by Sir George Williams, creating a refuge from negative influences fracturing forces in London communities for young men. Even in 1844, the concept of people moving toward a collectively imagined better future – or “Moral Imagination,” as Dr. Ruha Benjamin calls it – could build momentum and change communities in exponential ways. That first YMCA was a volunteer-led organization, just was our YMCA is today, harnessing the power found in people passionate about improving their communities and connected by our common humanity.
175 years after the first YMCA was founded in London, England, and 99 years after our YMCA was established here in Santa Monica Family YMCA, volunteers remain the heartbeat of our organization, leading change and voicing the needs of the community. Volunteering is about so much more than a few hours of service, here and there; it’s about setting aside our own ambitions, problems, and priorities to serve others in Spirit, Mind, and Body. When we step outside of ourselves to serve our broader community, we can shift transactional interactions into transformative moments of connection and community.
The Impact of Our Volunteers
Our volunteers are changemakers! Whether volunteers serve as a youth basketball coach, a counselor at Camp Big Bear, a group exercise instructor, or advocate on behalf of the community, they dedicate time, talent, and treasure to help improve the quality of life for others. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. … You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.”
Dr. King also reminded us, “Life’s persistent and most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” Volunteers at the Santa Monica Family YMCA can confidently answer that, serving thousands of hours each year to support their neighbors. Our YMCA was able to reach more people in the community than ever before, making 2025 a banner year for community connection – none of which would have been possible without the dedication, passion, and drive of our volunteers. We could not be more proud of our volunteers whose impact connects people to their potential, their purpose, and one another – what a beautiful gift that is.
Looking Ahead
Our YMCA is kicking off our 99th year of service with a commitment connect more people, both inside and outside of our walls, and lift up stories from the people in our community to inspire and build deeper community.
This summer, we will launch Togetherhood, an initiative to bring more volunteers and serve with more impact than ever before. We are excited to partner with fellow nonprofits in Santa Monica and Venice to help amplify our impact, provide targeted support to the community, and build our network of volunteers passionate about serving their community.
This blog also marks the beginning of an exciting storytelling project. Kicking off our 99th year of service, our YMCA will be sharing ninety-nine stories of impact this year through our Anchored in Community campaign. Collected from our volunteers, members, program participants, to our community partners, we will be sharing stories that remind us what is possible with community as your anchor, something you can always find at the Y. If you are interested in sharing your YMCA story, please fill out this form!
Thank You to Our Volunteers
Today, and every day, thank you. Thank you for the selfless giving of your time and talents. Thank you for the ownership you take in making the Y what it is. Thank you for speaking up, raising your hand, and putting in the work. But mostly, thank you for using the Y as a place to build community, find belonging, and become the best version of yourself!
