Our Community-Driven Volunteers
Celebrating our YMCA Volunteers During 30 Days of Thankfulness
During our 30 Days of Thankfulness, we are reflecting on all the things that make our community what it is. Our Y was founded by volunteers and they are a crucial part of the work we do, keeping us plugged into the community and responsive to the needs of our people. Join us in celebrating the incredible dedication and talent of our volunteers, one of the treasures of our YMCA!
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 13, 1927 in the cafeteria of Santa Monica High School. Under the leadership of Dr. C. H. Lewis, our first President of the Board of Volunteers, the Y embarked upon a mission to establish a place where local residents could share “friendship and faith.”
Over the last 98 years, our YMCA has been led by 55 volunteers, serving as Board President, guiding the work of the YMCA forward to meet the needs of our community. The dedication of these individuals and the rest of our board volunteers built a legacy to be proud of, continuously expanding our programs and facilities to serve more people. We are grateful for the time, treasure, and talent every one of our board volunteers have & continue to invest in our organization.
Nathaniel Trives, 72 Years of Service:
Nathaniel “Nat” Trives has been a cornerstone of the Santa Monica Family YMCA for over 70 years. His journey with the Y began as a young camper at Camp Big Bear, where he later became a counselor, inspiring others with his leadership and passion. As a dedicated board member and past president, Nat played a pivotal role in transforming the YMCA into an 85,000-square-foot facility in the heart of downtown Santa Monica. His leadership and vision were instrumental in the success of multiple capital campaigns, ensuring the Y’s ability to serve the community for generations to come.
Beyond his YMCA contributions, Nat is celebrated as “Mr. Santa Monica,” having served as Mayor, professor, and volunteer leader in countless organizations, including the Rotary Club, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica Police Department and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition. His impact reaches far beyond Santa Monica, leaving a legacy of service and leadership in every role he undertakes. Nat’s living legacy can be felt throughout the entire community, and we are grateful that he continues to serve and guide our organization!
Richard Lawrence, 41 Years of Service:
Richard Lawrence has been an advocate of the Santa Monica Family YMCA since the early 80s, serving in various capacities on the Board, Board of Trustees, and even as the Board President. His career with the Santa Monica Bank empowered him to get involved more deeply in the community, serving as a Rotarian and with the Chamber of Commerce in addition to board service at The Y.
Dick Lawrence, a banker by trade, used his expertise to help position The Y in Santa Monica for expansion, managing the acquisition of additional property that paved the way for the Phase II and Phase III capital renovation projects. Mr. Lawrence’s passion for helping his community has fueled his decades of service at The Y, guiding the organization and supporting it’s initiatives to serve more people every year. Dick Lawrence’s wisdom and expertise are invaluable assets to our Y and we are grateful for his continued support of our organization.
Palisades Fire Relief Volunteers:
On January 7th, the Los Angeles Fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena erupted, claiming homes, irreplaceable belongings, pets, and more. Many of our neighbors were faced with the unimaginable, as rapid evacuation orders pushed them into the unknown, leaving everything behind to find safety.
People all over Los Angeles and Southern California were looking for ways to help, organizing grassroots mutual aid and seeking for places to serve. Without a call for action, people started showing up at the Santa Monica Family YMCA ready to serve in whatever way The Y was going to respond. Volunteers helped us organize and distribute countless supplies, hundreds of hot meals, and support victims of the fires coming into The Y just looking for some peace.
Over 100 volunteers served with us during the fires and in the weeks following the fires, dedicating well over 1,000 hours to support our community. The kindness, tenderness, and determination of these volunteers to serve their neighbors was remarkable. We are so grateful to each of these individuals who gave their time, talent, and endless compassion, supporting our neighbors during the most difficult moments of their lives. The tragedy of these fires feels immeasurable, even 11 months later; but the love for community expressed through the work of these volunteers is also immeasurable. Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to each of the volunteers who partnered with us.
Volunteer Coaches:
Our YMCA runs 4 seasons of youth basketball each year through our Junior Lakers Basketball program. In 2025, over 65 people have served as volunteer coaches and officials, working with kids ages 5 to 15, dedicating over 700 hours to the youth in our community. These coaches help kids develop the fundamentals of the sport, but more importantly, they help youth find their voice, be integrated into a team, and build confidence through play and teamwork. From evaluations to practices, to the big game, our volunteer coaches have given their time, energy, and knowledge to teach our youth, basketball skills and sportsmanship that help them during games and in their everyday lives as well.
Volunteer Instructors:
Our YMCA is fortunate to have 25 volunteers serving as fitness instructors for our members. These volunteers teach a variety of classes, including Yoga, Mat Pilates, Latin Groove & Bollywood Dance, and Tai Chi. While each instructor may has their own unique approach to teaching group exercise classes, they share one thing in common – a passion for teaching others tools health & wellness through movement and community. Our volunteer instructors show up daily, prepared to share their expertise with our members and community, serving over 1,200 throughout the year. Each instructor has built a class of members that are able to gain first hand knowledge and tools to maintain healthy lifestyle. Thank you to our volunteer fitness instructors!
Camp Big Bear Volunteers:
Camp Big Bear, located in the San Bernardino National Forest, was established by our YMCA in 1938. Over the last 87 years of its history, volunteers have been a crucial part of the Camp Big Bear experience. From leading youth on the waterfront to the high ropes course, through arts & crafts and team-building activities, our volunteers build a safe, fun, and engaging environment for our campers so kids can just be kids. This past summer, 65 people dedicated one (or two!) weeks of their summer to working with campers, serving over 4,800 hours cumulatively. We are deeply grateful to all our amazing volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to making summer camp such a success. Your kindness and enthusiasm truly made a difference and created unforgettable memories for everyone involved.
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!
