A Place to BELONG

BY LIESEL SCHMIDT

Since it was created in 1844 in London, England, the YMCA has been an organization offering a healthy, safe haven from unhealthy social conditions and later providing support in the areas of spiritual, mental, social and physical improvement. As the organization grew and evolved, the “young men” served by YMCAs around the world changed to include women and children, as well, and pools, gyms, and auditoriums were incorporated into the buildings along with dormitory spaces. In essence, YMCAs became a place to stay as well as a place to address the needs of the mind, body, and spirit.

As the 1900s dawned, the next century brought more changes—but still the Y’s focus on creating a safe space has never wavered. As one of those safe spaces since it was established in 1999, the Bounds Family YMCA’s three main areas of focus have been youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. “Our mission has always been and continues to be to provide the life-saving skill of swimming lessons as well as a safe place to go after school and during the summer, a place to learn the fundamentals of sports, grow in healthy living and so much more,” says Member Services Director Mariann Leach. “Together, we are becoming a better us! Communities with a YMCA are stronger because they always have the support from the YMCA, and we try to meet many community needs.”

The Bounds Family YMCA offers a wide variety of workout equipment in their gym as well as swimming pools, basketball courts, racquetball, and various group exercise classes such as yoga, Pilates, cardio training, and water aerobics in addition to childcare.

“When you join the Y, you become a part of something that is much more than a gym,” says Leach. “You will always be greeted with a smiling face and a well-wishing on your way out. The health benefits of the Y are just a small portion of what we provide. You will also have full access to our facility as well as our two other locations comprising YMCA of South Alabama and nationwide YMCA privileges across the US.”

Named for the Bounds family whose donations, joined by the generosity of others, made the Daphne-based YMCA possible, the Bounds Family YMCA is a nonprofit whose funding is raised through membership as well as their Annual Campaign for Youth, Seniors and Families—an initiative that enables the organization to fulfill their mission of helping those in the surrounding community. “Through business partners, trusts, foundations, individual donors, and so many more, we are able to give back,” says Leach.

Being the nonprofit that they are, the Bounds Family YMCA faces the same challenge that many nonprofits do: reaching new donors. “We do not turn anyone away due to their inability to pay, so we strive to collect as much as we can through donors and special events so that everyone who applies for our Financial Assistance program can comfortably pay,” says Leach. “We pride ourselves on the fact that everyone is welcome through our doors. We are always wanting people and families to join our ‘Y Family.’ Swim lessons and water safety classes are also something we are very proud to provide, as they make the members of our