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The Y. For a Better Us

Everyone knows the Y as a place to camp, swim, or exercise, but we’re so much more. The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We’re a spirit, a movement, and a cause. We’re working side-by-side with our neighbors to address critical community needs for kids to develop into smart, resilient adults, for people to improve their health and build a sense of community, and for our most vulnerable young people to get the care and support they need

About Us

Founded in 1877, the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing has long been a part of the Lansing community. From the very start, listening and responding to our community’s most critical social needs has been a part of the Y’s core values. We’ve grown from a small association holding meetings where it could to a strong organization of roughly 10,000 members across three branches.

Discover more about the YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing’s history

Our Mission 

The YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The Y is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected, and secure children, adults, families, and communities. Every day our impact is felt when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child, and when a community comes together for the common good.

Our Cause

At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. We are a powerful association 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 believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our children, our health, and our neighbors. That is why strengthening community is the Y’s cause. Every day we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

Diversity Statement

The YMCA of Metropolitan Lansing is an organization of people (members, participants, volunteers, and staff) joined together by a shared commitment to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, work, and thrive. The YMCA will nurture and support an environment that reflects and respects our differences and embraces the richness of our community.

Our Focus Areas

Youth Development

Nurturing the potential of every child and teen. We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That’s why, through the Y, thousands of youth in Lansing are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement.

Healthy Living

Improving the nation’s health and well-beingIn communities across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and well-being. With a mission centered on balance, the Y brings families closer together, encourages good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. As a result, thousands of youth, adults and families in Greater Lansing are receiving the support, guidance and resources needed to achieve better health and well-being for their spirit, mind and body.

Social Responsibility

Giving back and providing support to our neighbor. The Y has been listening and responding to our communities’ most critical social needs for more than 140 years. Whether developing skills or emotional well-being through education and training, welcoming and connecting diverse demographic populations through community services, or building healthier communities through collaborations with community leaders, the Y fosters the care and respect all people need and deserve. Through the Y, thousands of volunteers and donors, leaders and partners across Greater Lansing are empowering thousands of people in our community to be healthy, confident, connected and secure.