Celebrating 175 Years of Community
No Place Like This Place
By Eric Mann, President & CEO, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast
Imagine a world without the YMCA. No basketball. No summer camps. No safe spaces where kids feel seen and supported. No welcoming place where neighbors become friends. For 175 years, the Y has been that place—a constant in a changing world. There is truly no place like this place.
In 2026, we celebrate an incredible milestone: 175 years of the YMCA in America. Here on the First Coast, we’re proud to join YMCAs across the country in honoring nearly two centuries of service, innovation, and community impact.
From its beginnings in London during the Industrial Revolution, the YMCA grew into a nationwide movement rooted in connection and belonging. Along the way, the Y introduced basketball and Father’s Day, pioneered ESL classes, and taught generations to swim. But the true legacy of the Y isn’t found in milestones alone—it’s found in people.
It was built by neighbors, volunteers, mentors, and families who believed everyone deserves a place to belong. Every workout, every summer camp, every friendship formed at the Y is part of that story. A story that proves there is no place like the Y.
To bring that history to life, we’ve created an interactive 175-year timeline highlighting defining moments from across the country. Explore how the Y has grown and adapted to serve more than 10,000 communities nationwide. From the first gym class to today’s innovative wellness programs, each moment tells the story of a place where communities grow stronger together.
Here on the First Coast, that mission has been alive since 1908. Today, we serve more than 125,000 people each year, focusing on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. As a nonprofit, we never turn anyone away because of an inability to pay—subsidizing nearly 25% of our members and participants so everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
As we look ahead to 2026, YMCAs across the country will mark this milestone with special events and celebrations honoring the people and moments that shaped our story. We invite you to be part of it. Join us. Volunteer with us. Support us.
Because after 175 years, one thing remains true:
There is no place like this place—and no community like the one we build together.
