Our history runs deep and has impacted generations dating back to the 1800s. The beautiful downtown Mechanics Hall was the original landmark of the first YMCA in Worcester. In 1864, the Y used rented space on the second floor of Mechanics Hall for Bible classes, religious meetings, visiting the sick, and aiding the poor.
Our Story
Today, the Y is one of the region’s most significant charitable institutions. The Y has demonstrated, with great consistency, a distinct ability to address ever-changing community needs. We do not exist merely to provide quality facilities for health and wellness activities. Our six full-service branches serve 35,000 members across 70 cities and towns. We also deliver programs at more than 15 sites in other locations along with our three rural summer day camps. Collaboration with more than 100 other partners extends our impact to nearly 60,000 individuals annually.
The flagship Central Community Branch YMCA found its current home in the heart of Worcester’s “Main South” neighborhood in 1920. As the socio- and economic-demographics of this part of the city have evolved in recent decades, the Central Community Branch YMCA has become a refuge for the residents of the area. The Central Community Branch YMCA is a safe haven, where business men and women from nearby downtown can be found exercising next to high school students, single moms, local residents and active seniors who all bring the richness of diversity to the branch.
The Greendale Family Branch YMCA was established in 1929 through the generous donation of facilities from Norton Company – today Saint-Gobain. The relationship with this worldwide leader in abrasives manufacturing remains strong to this day. In 1978, as the State began work on a new highway that included the taking of the YMCA’s property, Norton Company again intervened and donated nearby land on the shores of Indian Lake.
The Boroughs Family Branch YMCA was established in 2002. Its roots, however, date back to 1983 with limited programming for those living in the communities in the eastern region of our service area. What began as a sprinkling of child care operations and swim lessons in rented hotel pools, has become our most thriving operation, now counting close to 14,000 members.
Originally established in 1887, the Montachusett Community Branch YMCA strengthens the foundations of our community through well-being and fitness, camp, family time, swim, sports and play, and other activities for people of all ages, incomes and abilities. We’re more than just a place to work out. At the Y, we help build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all with the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility at the heart of everything we do. This Fitchburg location merged with the YMCA of Central Massachusetts Association in 2012.
The Leominster Community Branch YMCA is one of the latest additions to the YMCA of Central Massachusetts' family and had its Grand Opening in September of 2015. Centrally located in the heart of downtown, we offer a multitude of wellness options for individuals, including a state of the art fitness facility, group exercise space, youth movement classes, child watch and a variety of other programs. This new YMCA footprint allows us to increase our impact by offering a variety of services that nurtures youth, supports healthy living and promotes social responsibility in the North Central Massachusetts region.
In May of 2018 the YMCA of Central Massachusetts and the Tri-Community YMCA merged to strengthen community. Since 1882, the Tri-Community YMCA organization has built a strong reputation for striving to meet the health, fitness and social challenges of area residents while focusing attention on serving at-risk children and families. Because of the collaborative relationship that existed between the two organizations, a shared vision and potential to provide greater impact in both service areas made sense for the organizations to join together to more effectively address critical community needs.
It is the mission of the Y that membership, child care, and program services will always be accessible to any person regardless of age, income, race or religion. In cases where the cost of membership or programming is out of reach for an individual or a family, the Y offers financial assistance. For the past seven years, the Y has provided more than $1 million in scholarship assistance and program subsidy to participants.
The YMCA of Central Massachusetts, a nonprofit human service organization, is committed to strengthening the foundations of community through Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.
Over of service to the community!
Since 1864, the YMCA of Central Massachusetts has fostered forward-thinking leaders. Volunteers and staff have anchored neighborhoods, reinforced family bonds and helped thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds live healthier lives. Our 150th Anniversary Capital campaign honored this legacy and has expanded the Y’s impact.
