IMPACT IN THE GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY

The YMCA is uniquely suited to meet our community’s health and well-being needs, every day.

The Y is making a difference in the lives of many in our community.

We are uniquely suited to meet community needs with initiatives aimed at empowering youth, building healthier families and fostering inclusive communities. We are focused on the continued and ongoing effort of creating not just physical space, but developmental and emotional well-being opportunities for people who truly need it most.

ABOUT YOUR YMCA

Preschool aged buy sits on the first step into a pool

Community Programs

Since 1886 the YMCA of Greater Houston has been committed to strengthening the bonds that tie us together in community and being responsive to critical community needs. Every time that there is a deeper or greater need, the Y shows up to ensure that people don’t go without assistance.

With programs and services focused on empowering young people, improving health and well-being and inspiring action in and across communities, we ensure a brighter future for all.

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Our Focus on Community Impact

The Y is a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility. A strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors.

We are community-centered, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gap in community needs. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive and work tirelessly to mobilize the local community every day to effect lasting, meaningful change.

ABOUT HOUSTON YMCA

A child in baseball player outfit and a young adult walking on a field.

Adaptive Programs

Adaptive programs at the Y provide children and adults with disabilities the chance to play sports and participate in learning opportunities in a safe, fun atmosphere.

ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMS

Safety Around Water

The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches children of all ages and from all backgrounds that water can be fun! Classes teach skills for being safe around water and give children confidence with the ultimate goal of saving their life.

DROWNING ELIMINATION

A group of teens in matching maroon shirts walks on the sidewalk outside

Y Teen L.I.F.E.

Y Teen L.I.F.E. (Leadership, Inspiration, Fellowship, Education) provides opportunities for youth to realize who they are and what they are capable of achieving, while making friends and memories along the journey.

TEEN PROGRAMS

Community Services

At the Y, we have redesigned programs to help strengthen our community. Through community resource guides, food distribution, community-based opportunity centers and more, we are able to help bridge the gaps within our area.

International Services

YMCA International Services provides client-centered services to refugees, survivors of human trafficking, asylees, and other newcomers from around the world. Services include financial assistance, immigration legal services, post-release services, case management, employment education and more.

Refugee Aid

Community-Based Opportunity Centers

The YMCA Outreach Initiative team currently operates Opportunity Centers across Houston. The Outreach Initiative team approaches opportunities to work with families in the communities we serve with holistic and collaborative intention.

Find Local Services

Food Distribution

The YMCA partners with the Houston Food Bank, Montgomery County Food Bank, Brighter Bites (need to add Second Servings) and other community partners across greater Houston to provide critical food and supplies to thousands of families at distribution sites throughout the city.

VIETNAM SERVICE PROJECT

The Y is one of the largest community-strengthening organizations in the world, inspiring positive change across the globe. As part of our global initiatives, the YMCA of Greater Houston has organized service learning projects in Vietnam in partnership with other YMCAs, volunteers and staff for over 20 years. The project creates cultural understanding, expands the Y’s global impact, advances our commitment to youth development and strengthens communities globally. In 2024, a group of staff and volunteers learned about Vietnamese culture, the Y programs offered in Vietnam and building relationships. To learn more about this project or the YMCA of Greater Houston’s other global partnerships, click the button below.

GET INVOLVED

Safety Around Water

The YMCA’s Safety Around Water program helps to ensure that children learn essential water safety skills.

Through learning how to perform a sequenced set of skills over a period of lessons, the risk of drowning is reduced, giving children confidence in and around water. Sessions are offered throughout the year at apartment complexes, school districts, and more.

For more information about our safety around water program, please contact Dillon Butler at Dillon.Butler@ymcahouston.org.

Advocacy

At the Y, everything we do is in service of making us—as individuals, and as communities—better. When you advocate with the Y, you take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change for your family friends and community.

BECOME AN ADVOCATE

Impact Stories

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I would like to say thank you to all the after school staff and leadership at my son’s YMCA after school program. Josh loves his time at the Y after his school day. He says he feels like the counselors are family and I’m always comfortable that when I am at work, he has a safe and supportive place to not only be cared for, but actually thrive. As a working mother, I needed affordable, quality child care, but I got so much more than that.
I would like to say thank you to all the after school staff and leadership at my son’s YMCA after school program. Josh loves his time at the Y after his school day. He says he feels like the counselors are family and I’m always comfortable that when I am at work, he has a safe and supportive place to not only be cared for, but actually thrive. As a working mother, I needed affordable, quality child care, but I got so much more than that.
I would like to say thank you to all the after school staff and leadership at my son’s YMCA after school program. Josh loves his time at the Y after his school day. He says he feels like the counselors are family and I’m always comfortable that when I am at work, he has a safe and supportive place to not only be cared for, but actually thrive. As a working mother, I needed affordable, quality child care, but I got so much more than that.
In 2019, after observing his younger sibling’s Safety Around Water session, this young man was intrigued but hesitant to participate. With encouragement from the instructor, he joined the session and learned life-saving skills.
In 2019, after observing his younger sibling’s Safety Around Water session, this young man was intrigued but hesitant to participate. With encouragement from the instructor, he joined the session and learned life-saving skills.
In 2019, after observing his younger sibling’s Safety Around Water session, this young man was intrigued but hesitant to participate. With encouragement from the instructor, he joined the session and learned life-saving skills.
Scientists say that when you exercise, your body releases endorphins that trigger positive feelings and make you happy. I can testify that, that statement is true based on our experience here at the Y. Thanks to the Y, my son Mason can learn how to play different sports while he is still young and deciding which one is his favorite. The sports that he plays are helping build him into the young man he is becoming.
Scientists say that when you exercise, your body releases endorphins that trigger positive feelings and make you happy. I can testify that, that statement is true based on our experience here at the Y. Thanks to the Y, my son Mason can learn how to play different sports while he is still young and deciding which one is his favorite. The sports that he plays are helping build him into the young man he is becoming.
Scientists say that when you exercise, your body releases endorphins that trigger positive feelings and make you happy. I can testify that, that statement is true based on our experience here at the Y. Thanks to the Y, my son Mason can learn how to play different sports while he is still young and deciding which one is his favorite. The sports that he plays are helping build him into the young man he is becoming.

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I would like to say thank you to all the after school staff and leadership at my son’s YMCA after school program. Josh loves his time at the Y after his school day. He says he feels like the counselors are family and I’m always comfortable that when I am at work, he has a safe and supportive place to not only be cared for, but actually thrive. As a working mother, I needed affordable, quality child care, but I got so much more than that.
In 2019, after observing his younger sibling’s Safety Around Water session, this young man was intrigued but hesitant to participate. With encouragement from the instructor, he joined the session and learned life-saving skills.
Scientists say that when you exercise, your body releases endorphins that trigger positive feelings and make you happy. I can testify that, that statement is true based on our experience here at the Y. Thanks to the Y, my son Mason can learn how to play different sports while he is still young and deciding which one is his favorite. The sports that he plays are helping build him into the young man he is becoming.

HOUSTON

YMCA OF GREATER HOUSTON

HOUSTON

IMPACT IN THE GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY

The Y is making a difference in the lives of many in our community.

Community Programs

Our Focus on Community Impact

Adaptive Programs

Safety Around Water

Y Teen L.I.F.E.

Community Services

VIETNAM SERVICE PROJECT

Safety Around Water

Advocacy

Impact Stories

In 2019, after observing his younger sibling’s Safety Around Water session, this young man was intrigued but hesitant to participate. With encouragement from the instructor, he joined the session and learned life-saving skills.

In 2019, after observing his younger sibling’s Safety Around Water session, this young man was intrigued but hesitant to participate. With encouragement from the instructor, he joined the session and learned life-saving skills.

In 2019, after observing his younger sibling’s Safety Around Water session, this young man was intrigued but hesitant to participate. With encouragement from the instructor, he joined the session and learned life-saving skills.

In 2019, after observing his younger sibling’s Safety Around Water session, this young man was intrigued but hesitant to participate. With encouragement from the instructor, he joined the session and learned life-saving skills.

STAY CURIOUS