Learn About the Y
Mission
To put the Christian principles of love, respect, honesty, responsibility and service into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Vision
Strong Communities Inspired through Family, Fitness, Faith and Fun.
Christian Mission Advancement
Our Christian Principles are defined as love, respect, honesty, responsibility and service. These principles set us apart in all that we do. More than a health provider or a place for children to play, the Y’s mission is to engage the entire person—spirit, mind and body. Today, intentional dialogue around these principles serves to equip members, participants, parents, volunteers and staff to lead healthy and meaningful lives.
History
The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette hosted its first meeting in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church, downtown Portland, in 1868. With a mission to “promote Christian sympathy and fellowship, and to encourage and give direction to united Christian labor.” Early social and cultural activities included educational classes, lectures, mission meetings, musical entertainment and theatrical events. The Portland YMCA continued to grow and programs soon extended to sports and aquatics as health and physical education gained popularity. Technical classes in automotive, plumbing, electrical crafts, and horticulture were also held at the Portland YMCA beginning in the early 1900’s. By 1920, their educational classes served to become a technical school called the Oregon Institute of Technology.
YMCA Camp Meehan was established at Spirit Lake on Mt. St. Helen’s in 1909, only to burn when the mountain erupted in 1980. YMCA Camp Collins was built shortly after Camp Meehan, in 1926. YMCA Camp Collins celebrated its 90 birthday in 2016.
By the 1920s, the YMCA offered a range of physical education classes and an entire floor devoted to the “young men’s division.” During the Great Depression, the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette increased it programming for social activities due to all the young men with “too much time on their hands.”
During WWII, the downtown YMCA Chapel hosted daily wedding ceremonies.
In 1955 the John R. Leach YMCA in SE Portland opened. In 2000, the Center converted to a Child Development Center and an Arts Education Center in 2000—to continue serving the people in SE Portland.
Our Health and Wellness facilities expanded in the 1990s to Sherwood, OR and Vancouver, WA serving thousands of kids and families.
In 2017, 68,234 participants were involved in YMCA programs, which were provided by 1,963 volunteers. Last year, more 13,789 kids participated in our youth sports leagues, 1,948 children were served in our early childhood programs and more than 5,000 kids attended Camp Collins. In addition, members and participants at our Y health, wellness and sports facilities visited those locations more than 575,000 times and 2,397 kids participated in our school enrichment programs.
In 2018, as we celebrate 150 years of service, we will continue to grow and to reach new communities.
Our Organization
The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette is an association of people who are passionately committed to our purpose and mission. Our culture, based on our Christian heritage, is welcoming and accessible to all. To fulfill our mission we recruit, develop and maintain a diverse workforce in an environment of mutual support, encouragement, accountability, compassion and forgiveness. We commit to:
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Establishing long-term relationships
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Strive for excellence in all that we do
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Lead by example and serve others
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Develop people to their fullest potential
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Incorporate YMCA Christian principles into our work
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Thoroughly enjoy what we do
