Founded by people who were compelled to make a change in their community, the YMCA began as a volunteer run organization. During October of 1858, in Salem, a group of men gathered at the Crombie Street Church to discuss creating an organization that would benefit the young men of their city.
"Our want of such an organization at the present time was deeply felt by all," reads the original meeting minutes. "We could not but feel that by uniting ourselves together in labor with hearty cooperation, that our efforts would be blessed."
They were the founders of the Salem YMCA and its first volunteers. They gave their time freely to build the organization that has become the YMCA of the North Shore.
Today, volunteers are the heart and soul of the YMCA. From policy volunteers who lead our efforts to achieve our mission, to a youth sports coach who teaches the principles our organization stands for, these individuals have dedicated their time, talents and financial resources to make our community a better place to live.
Over the last 150 years, the leadership of this historic organization has built new facilities, created teen centers and founded summer camps. They knew of the YMCA tradition of providing affordable housing and have embarked on making it a reality once more. They see the need for quality, affordable child care and continue to expand program locations to fulfill this need across the North Shore.
The YMCA of the North Shore association would not exist today if it was not for the foresight of volunteers. The local YMCAs acted as separate institutions until 1993 when the Beverly Regional YMCA merged with the Cape Ann YMCA. This strengthened both locations and they continued to grow.
In 1996, the Greater Beverly YMCA, as it was now called, began a capital campaign to raise funds to build the Ipswich Family YMCA. In 1999, the building was completed. That same year, the Salem YMCA and Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA joined Greater Beverly and became the YMCA of the North Shore. In 2006, the Haverhill YMCA joined the association as well.
Not only did these volunteers successfully bring the Ys together, they also brought our communities together. They fundraised not only for the brick and mortar, but to be able to succeed in the mission to "serve all." The YMCA doesn't turn anyone away, regardless of their ability to pay. Last year, the YMCA provided the community with over $1.25 million in memberships, programs, child care and summer camp. None of this would be possible without the volunteers' advocacy for the YMCA.
The last 150 years have seen challenges and triumphs for the organization. Today, the YMCA of the North Shore encompasses 25 cities and towns, over 28,000 members and countless program participants. The Y's impact is far reaching because of tireless efforts of our 1,500 volunteers. They shape not only the organization, but our communities as well.
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Stephanie Lyons works for the YMCA of the North Shore, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. In honor of the milestone, The Salem News will run a monthly story on the history of the Y and its accomplishments. For more information on the YMCA of the North Shore, call 978-922-0990 or visit www.northshoreymca.org.
