Third Thursday October 2025
Many People Underestimate The YMCA
The scariest thing this month isn’t the Halloween season—it’s how many people underestimate the true impact of the YMCA movement.
At the Capital District YMCA, we’re so much more than a gym and a pool. We’re a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, racial equity, and social responsibility.
This year, we reinvested $2.6 million back into our region—fueling programs and services that reach far beyond fitness.
We’re helping children grow in confidence through youth sports, childcare, preschool, summer camp, and leadership programs. We’re proud to be a regional leader in youth development, shaping the next generation of changemakers through initiatives like Black and Latino Achievers, which helps teens build academic and career readiness skills while preparing them for bright futures.
We’re helping families thrive—providing nearly $1 million in scholarships and financial assistance so every child and adult can access Y programs, regardless of their ability to pay. Through programs like LiveStrong® at the YMCA, we walk alongside cancer survivors as they rebuild their strength, community, and hope.
And we’re helping our neighbors in need—feeding more than 1,500 families through Basket Brigade, making sure over 800 children start the school year ready to learn with backpacks full of school supplies, and hosting community wellness events that bring people together in support of healthier living for all.
We're also getting ready to open our brand new Parkinson's Center YMCA, which will provide specialized programs and supportive resources to help individuals with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders to improve their strength, mobility, and overall wellness... at no cost.
Honestly, that's just scratching the surface.
From where I am standing, the Y remains one of the most impactful nonprofits in the Capital District—meeting critical needs, strengthening families, and creating opportunities for everyone to belong and thrive.
Thank you for being part of this movement.
President & CEO
Capital District YMCA