The YMCA has started, nurtured and shared many great organizational programs throughout its history. It has developed an environment for the birth of ideas that otherwise might never have been brought to fruition.

How has the Y been able to accomplish so much? Simply put, it's through a powerful combination of autonomy, creativity, practicality and the Y's solid commitment to its core values.

It is a result of our willingness to be flexible, to try new things, to pioneer and above all, put our emphasis on people. Forever mission-driven, Ys exist to inspire the world and each other, who have a firm sense of worth, who foster understanding and respect, who accept responsibility for their own lives and are committed to helping improve the lives of others.

That's what we were about then, that's what we are about today.