About Us

Mission and Values

Our Mission
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Character Values
Five core values guide the Athens YMCA:

HONESTY
To tell the truth, to act in such a way that you are worthy of trust, to have integrity, to make sure your choices match up with your values. Honesty is represented by the color BLUE for true blue truthfulness.

CARING
To put others before yourself, to love others, to be sensitive to the well-being of others, to help others. Caring is represented by the color RED for love and the heart.

RESPECT
To treat others as you would have them treat you, to value the worth of every person including yourself, to be cordial even if you disagree with someone. Respect is represented by the color YELLOW for the Golden Rule.

RESPONSIBILITY
To do what you should, to do what is right, to be accountable for your behavior and obligations. Responsibility is represented by the color GREEN for our fiscal and environmental responsibilities.

FAITH
To develop your relationship with God, to be a seeker of truth, to trust God with your life, to be sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. Faith is represented by PURPLE for the Kingdom of God.

Click here to view our board of directors

Click here to view our staff

Overview

• The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
• The Y is a powerful association of men, women, and children committed to bringing about lasting personal and social change. With a focus on nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors, the Y enables youth, adults, families and communities to be healthy, confident, connected and secure.
• In the U.S., the Y is comprised of YMCA of the USA, a national resource office, and more than 2,700 YMCAs with approximately 20,000 fulltime staff and 500,000 volunteers in 10,000 communities across the country.
• The Y engages 9 million youth and 12 million adults in 10,000 communities across the U.S.
• Worldwide, the Y serves more than 45 million people in 124 countries. Ys across the U.S. play an integral role in strengthening the leadership and youth programs of the Y around the world.
• The Y is accessible to all people. Financial assistance is offered to individuals and families who cannot afford membership.

The Athens YMCA has partnered with:

• Emmanuel Episcopal Church
• Athens First Baptist Church
• Georgia Department of Rehabilitation Services - Vocational Rehab
• Hope Haven
• Georgia Options
• Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens
• Luncheon Optimist Club of Athens
• Perfectly Polished
• Athens-Clarke Relay For Life
• UGA Recreation & Leisure Studies Program
• W.O.W. Boot Camp
• Heyward Allen Motor Company
• Piedmont Athens Regional Health Systems
• Athens Senior Resources Network
• Athens Area Humane Society
• Athens Community Council on Aging
• Salvation Army
• Athens Area Homeless Shelter
• Extra Special People, Inc.
• The Cancer Foundation of Northeast Georgia

History

The history of the Athens Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) began with George Williams, who in 1844 found himself dissatisfied with his life in the big city of London, England. During the Industrial Revolution, young men and boys were leaving their farming communities for cities like London - cities "full of prostitution and other immoral temptations." Williams, a young drapery worker, met with eleven other men who shared his discontent and organized the YMCA... Read more