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YMCA Alaska, Anchorage, Mat-Su, Fitness, Community Center, Youth Development, Healthy Living, Social Responsibility

YMCA OF ALASKA

OUR Y

FOR COMMUNITY

Welcome to the YMCA of Alaska. We’re an inclusive, nonprofit organization of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. We’re glad you’re here!

Every day, the Y strengthens communities for kids, adults, seniors and families with programs that protect, teach, connect, heal nourish and encourage. It’s how we help communities and the “us” who live in them find the power of their full potential.

Our Mission

The Mission of the YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Our Vision

We envision our nonprofit organization – in partnership with others – as an intergenerational community hub with programs, services, and resources available to all persons, regardless of status or ability to pay, that will enable them to improve their quality of life.

Our Impact

The Y is an all-inclusive organization dedicated to making an impact through life-changing services and programs that make our community stronger than yesterday by giving promise for a better future and providing a safe place where everyone belongs.

OUR CORE VALUES

Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility

OUR HISTORY

YEAR

MILESTONE

1950’s The Anchorage Community YMCA became incorporated as a non-profit in 1967.  Prior to its incorporation, the Community YMCA had been operating community programs as a branch of the Armed Services YMCA in the community since the mid 1950’s. The Anchorage Community YMCA began offering programs in the community in 1956 as an extension of the Armed Services YMCA.  Ian Anderson was the first Director who was a staff team of two and over a hundred volunteers who operated the following programs: Hi-Y, Tri-Y, summer resident camp at Kings Lake and summer fun clubs, 10-week arts & craft clubs, music class and the beginning of the Y Men’s Club
1967 By 1967 Anchorage Community YMCA programs had outgrown the Armed Services YMCA and became its own incorporated organization.  The YMCA operated out of a building located downtown Anchorage (was the Covenant House) until the early 1970’s.  The YMCA moved its office to a storefront located on Tudor Road when there was not much there
1974 In 1974, Jim and Joan Flood donated a piece of property (Jay Flood Memorial Park) to the YMCA on which to construct a new facility.  The fund drive began and the current facility on Lake Otis was opened in 1978
2014 In 2014, the addition began. Adding on an additional 5,000 sq. ft. including a 2nd floor state of the art fitness center.
2018 In 2018, the YMCA of Alaska opened it’s second location, Southside YMCA at Dimond. Taking over the space occupied prior by the Dimond Athletic Club in the Dimond Center.