Dear Y Community,
As the YMCA celebrated its 175th anniversary nationally under the banner “No Place Like This Place,” we were reminded every day why the Y continues to matter so deeply to the 80,000+ people we serve. Throughout our association, we watched inspiring success stories unfold: families receiving childcare scholarship assistance when they needed it most, individuals taking control of their health and well-being, and young people finding their voice, confidence, and strength through our programs. Read more and rediscover why there's no place like the Y.
The Investing in Tomorrow Place
From infancy through young adulthood, the Capital District YMCA provides the programs, support, and opportunities children and families rely on to learn, grow, and thrive.
That journey begins in our Early Learning centers, where infants, toddlers, and preschoolers receive safe, nurturing, high-quality care during the most important stages of development. Through school age school care, vacation clubs, summer camp, youth sports and STEM programs, the Y supports children year-round while helping working families build stability and peace of mind.
The Capital District YMCA is an essential community cornerstone that makes it possible for thousands of parents and caregivers to pursue careers, maintain their health, and find comfort knowing their children are safe, supported, and encouraged every step of the way.
Thanks to generous donors like you, the Capital District YMCA provides more than $200,000 in childcare scholarships and nearly $300,000 in camp scholarships, so that no child or family is turned away due to an inability to pay.
By investing in young people and supporting families, our Y continues to strengthen communities across the Capital Region, setting them up for success for generations to come.
Mission Moment: Lifeguards Change Lives
Lifeguards do far more than watch the water. They help create a safe, welcoming environment where individuals and families can learn, grow, and thrive. Every day, lifeguards play an important role in protecting the health and well-being of our members, from young children taking their first swim lesson to older adults staying active and healthy through aquatic exercise.
It's also one of the most rewarding jobs you'll ever have. Lifeguards develop valuable leadership, communication, and decision-making skills while building meaningful relationships with members, coworkers, and the community.
The Four Walls and Beyond Place
YMCAs are built to meet the unique needs of the communities they serve. Across the country and around the world, no two Ys look exactly alike, yet all are united by the same mission: strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
The Capital District YMCA reflects that mission in powerful and sometimes very different ways.
At one end of the spectrum is Y on the Fly, our mobile YMCA initiative designed to bring the Y directly into neighborhoods and communities. Whether delivering Thanksgiving food baskets to families in need, setting up pop-up recreation like Gaga ball in local parks, or expanding teen after-school opportunities through TeenXcel in partnership with Albany County, Y on the Fly removes barriers and meets people where they are. It is truly a Y on wheels, without walls or boundaries.
At the other end of the spectrum are our residence programs at Mont Pleasant and 845 Commons, where the walls themselves become part of the support system. For low-income Seniors looking for supportive housing, Mont Pleasant provides an enriching community. For men facing homelessness, substance use challenges, or mental health struggles, the Commons provides stability, safety, and the space they need to rebuild.
Together, these programs represent the full reach of the YMCA’s mission: from bringing services directly into the community to providing a place to call home when it is needed most.
Learn About the Residents Who Call the Y Home
At the Capital District YMCA, we believe that health and wellness extends far beyond physical fitness. A safe, stable place to call home is one of the most important foundations for a healthy, fulfilling life. That's why we are committed to providing affordable, supportive housing that helps individuals build stability, maintain independence, and strengthen their connection to the community.
Through 845 Commons and Mont Pleasant Commons, hundreds of residents have found more than just housing. They've found dignity, security, friendship, and opportunities to thrive. From veterans and individuals overcoming significant life challenges to seniors seeking an affordable place to age with independence and purpose, these communities are changing lives every day. In this video, you'll hear directly from residents whose stories demonstrate the powerful impact that safe, affordable housing can have on a person's well-being, future, and sense of belonging.
See Teens Thriving in Supportive Third Spaces with TeenXcel
Safe places for teens to gather, connect, and be themselves are becoming increasingly difficult to find. That's why the Capital District YMCA, in partnership with Albany County, is committed to creating spaces where young people can spend their time productively, build positive relationships, and stay connected to their community.
Through Y on the Fly and TeenXcel, we're meeting teens where they are and providing opportunities to learn, grow, and belong. In this video, you'll hear how these programs are helping young people stay engaged, off the streets, and connected to caring adults who are invested in their success.
Tomorrow's Leaders
The Black and Latino Achievers program empowers students in grades 7–12 to reach their full potential through academic support, mentorship, and leadership development. Focused on uplifting youth from Black and Latino communities, the program offers opportunities for college and career exploration, professional enrichment, and civic engagement.
In 2024, the Achievers program proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of impact. It also brought back the beloved Salute Awards—a vibrant celebration of Black and Latino achievement and the power of intergenerational mentorship, once paused due to the pandemic.
Sankofa: Generations Connected
The 2024 Salute Awards embraced the theme “Sankofa: Generations Connected,” inspired by the Sankofa bird of Ghana, depicted flying forward with its head turned backward, often carrying an egg to symbolize the future. This imagery emphasizes the importance of learning from the past to guide the current generation, underscoring the program’s strong focus on mentorship.
Nearly 300 people gathered to celebrate the Black and Latino Achievers program and its graduating class, 100% of whom completed high school, a notable contrast to national averages for Black and Latino students.
During the event, Teen Achiever of the Year Sarah Brown delivered a moving speech: "With every [Achievers] meeting I understood one crucial thing: to accomplish our goals, we need the support of the village. One of our Achievers wants to attend an HBCU to play Lacrosse, […] another wants to study sports medicine, […] another immigration law. They will need the support of the village. [...] We, as Black and Latino Achievers, are the future - we are your future.”
Diverse in Culture, United in Movement
Kids race across the field, laughing as the soccer ball rolls out of bounds. The pint-sized players share a love of soccer (or football as most of the world knows it), even if some of them don’t share a common language. However, the smiles and laughter are universal.
The Youth Soccer program is a highlight in a list of refugee assistance programs run by the Capital District YMCA. From ESL classes, to an Indian-Pakistani music collaboration, to a halal-safe food delivery service, the Y is building community among people of many cultures and backgrounds, truly embracing the Y’s unifying mantra: “For All.”
Social Responsibility Means Making Connections
At the Capital District YMCA, social responsibility is more than a value—it’s a commitment to strengthening community and fostering global citizenship. Whether we’re teaching lifesaving water safety skills, offering teens a safe and supportive space on Saturday nights through Teen Nite, or extending our service beyond borders on a volunteer trip to Vietnam, the Y empowers individuals to give back, grow, and build a better world for all.
Water Safety is Life Saving
While the YMCA serves people of all ages and backgrounds, many know us best for our youth programming. From summer camp to swim lessons, the Y has long been a trusted resource for families with children, and our Safety Around Water program is no exception.
Each year, the Guilderland and Glenville branches collectively welcome more than 200 elementary school students for a one-day course in water safety. Rotating through hands-on, instructor-led stations, kids learn lifesaving techniques like “Jump, Push, Turn, Grab” and “Swim, Float, Swim,” along with basic first aid. They also practice safe water rescues, play lifeguard-themed games, and get an introduction to hands-only CPR.
The training is age-appropriate, hands-on, and designed to be both fun and memorable. Whether or not a child has prior swimming experience, they leave with skills that can help save lives.
As Kim Kowalski, Aquatics Director for the Capital District YMCA, explains: “This age group really retains what they learn—and they have a blast doing it.”
Meeting Teens Where They Are
Nearly 25 years ago, the Capital District YMCA launched Teen Nite in North Albany—a violence prevention program offering teens in underserved neighborhoods a safe space for recreation, support, and community. Since then, the program has served multiple generations, providing mentorship and stability that help keep youth on a positive path.
Many former participants, now attorneys, activists, and professionals, credit the program with helping them avoid common pitfalls and achieve their goals.
Now in its 25th year, this impactful program is expanding. With the launch of the CDYMCA’s new Y on the Fly mobile van, sponsored by the Highmark Blue Fund, Teen Nite will soon reach even more youth, broadening the program’s reach in Albany and soon expanding service to Schenectady and Troy as well.
The Y Mission Goes Global
Once again, a team of Capital District YMCA volunteers traveled to Vietnam for a community service project none of them will soon forget.
