GET TO KNOW YOUR YMCA: FACTS AND HISTORY

Want to know what makes your YMCA so special? Our "Did You Know?" campaign will reveal the heart and soul of our organization. From youth development to healthy living and social responsibility, we are committed to strengthening our community. Join us on this journey of discovery as we unveil fascinating facts about our YMCA's history and our community impact, as well as the YMCA's global impact. Check back monthly for new "Did You Know?" facts.

SOUTHEAST VENTURA COUNTY YMCA FACT

 

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Did you know that when the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools, the YMCA was there to welcome kids of families who were essential front-line workers? We provided a safe location for the kids to attend school virtually, assisted with tutoring and provided social and emotional support during challenging educational years.
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Did you know you can support the YMCA by donating through various methods, including annual gifts, major gifts, capital giving, naming opportunities, endowments, planned giving, program support, special events and tribute gifts? 

 

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Did you know that when our YMCA was closed during the pandemic, we provided 3 months of free online exercise and enrichment classes to your YMCA community? No membership was required.
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Did you know that all the money we raise through our Annual Campaign stays right here in our community? The money is used to provide scholarships to families for memberships, assist with afterschool child care or summer camp and support programs like Find My Genius, Safety Around Water and Y Champions, which provide a safe environment for people of all abilities.

Y of USA FACTS

 

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Did you know that millions of people have been introduced to sports at the YMCA? Many of the sports people play were introduced at the YMCA, like basketball, volleyball and racquetball.
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Did you know that professional athletes like Janet Evans, Mark Spitz, Greg Lougnais and John Naber learned to swim at the YMCA? Even President Ronald Reagan was a lifeguard for the YMCA in Dixon, Illinois!
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Did you know volleyball was invented at the Greater Holyoke YMCA in Massachusetts in 1895 by instructor William Morgan? Morgan wanted an alternate activity to basketball.
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Did you know that basketball, a sport enjoyed by millions worldwide, was invented in 1891 by James Naismith at the YMCA training school in Springfield, Massachusetts? This was at the request of the YMCA director to keep the men occupied during the cold winter. The baskets were two peach baskets and the ball was a soccer ball. The first game ended 1-0 as they had not cut the bottoms out of the baskets.
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Did you know that in 1950 at the Greenwich, Connecticut YMCA, racquetball was invented by Y member Joe Sobek when he couldn't find other squash players of his skill level? After coming up with rules for his new games, he sought approval from other players at nearby YMCAs, forming the Paddle Rackets Association to promote the sport. The original balls he used were half blue, half red. When Sobek needed replacements, he approached the original manufacturer, Spalding, to make the balls all blue so they wouldn't leave marks on the YMCA's courts.


 

WHATS YOUR Y?

Cassidy, Youth and Family Lead

Jason, Membership Director


 

To learn more about our Y's impact 

LEARN MORE

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how to get involved, please contact Dani Hutchison at dhutchison@sevymca.org

FACTS AND HISTORY FROM "DID YOU KNOW?" CAMPAIGN

Local Facts:

  • Did you know that the Southeast Ventura County YMCA is celebrating 60 years as a Y in 2024?
  • Did you know in 2017, the SEV YMCA hosted their first annual gala, Reach for the Stars, the Joel and Frances McCrea Memorial Award Gala?
  • Did you know in 2017, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA began our Safety Around Water (SAW) program? Did you know this is a free program our YMCA offers to our community?
  • Did you know in 2018, our Find My Genius program began! The program started with around 60 scholars and today we have 700!
  • Did you know that the Southeast Ventura County YMCA was officially chartered in August 1964?
  • Did you know in 1964, renowned Western movie stars Joel McCrea and Frances Dee donated a portion of their ranch, located between Thousand Oaks and Moorpark, to the Southeast Ventura County YCA? The Conejo Valley YMCA was established in 1964 as the first branch of the SEV YMCA.
  • Did you know that the Simi Valley Family YMCA opened its doors in 2000, transforming a donated old police station into a YMCA facility?
  • Did you know that Ronnie Stone, the current CEO, began his YMCA journey as a camp counselor at the Triunfo YMCA in 1992?
  • Did you know that in 2018, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA partnered with professional athletes to create California Strong, raising funds and awareness to support those impacted by the Borderline Shooting, Camp Fire in Northern CA and the Woolsey and Hill fires in Southern CA? With the recent Mountain Fire, Easton Fire and Palisades Fire, California Strong continues to raise money and distribute 100% of it back to those affected.
  • Did you know that the Southeast Ventura County YMCA has aided several drives each year to support our local community? (Thanksgiving Food Drive, Angel Tree, Toy Drive, Prom Drive, Backpack Drive and Book Drive.)

Nationwide Facts:

  • Did you know that as America's most trusted swim instructor, the YMCA helps kids (and adults) of all ages, abilities and backgrounds develop the skills they need to become strong, confident swimmers?
  • Did you know that drowning is the second leading cause of death amongst children ages 5 to 14 years old? 
  • Did you know In Detroit, 1909, swimming lessons begin at the YMCA. In response to a YMCA campaign "to teach every man and boy in North America to swim," George Corsan arrived at the Detroit YMCA in 1909 to teach swimming using radical new methods: group swimming lessons and lessons on land as a confidence builder. In Newark, New Jersey, he taught 800 boys to swim in just four weeks by himself.
  • Did you know that from oceans to lakes to streams to swimming pools, water is everywhere: 71% of the Earth's surface is covered in it! And while water can be an irresistible place for kids to explore, play and enjoy splashy fun, it can be risky for those who have not yet developed their water smarts.
  • Did you know that basketball, the only major sport entirely invented in the United States, was created at a YMCA in 1891 by James Naismith?
  • Did you know the Y is made up of people of all ages, from all walks of life, working side-by-side to strengthen communities? Together, we strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender expression, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation, has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity.
  • Did you know that the YMCA is a global giant, founded in London in 1844 and now reaching over 65 million people annually across 120 countries?
  • Did you know that over 4 million children and teens are benefiting from YMCA programs, developing essential values, skills and relationships that contribute to their overall well-being and success?
  • Did you know that the YMCA's core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility were established in 1994 and continue to be the foundation of the Y mission today?
  • Did you know that during World War II, the YMCA, along with five other national voluntary organizations, founded the United Service Organizations for National Defense, today known as the USO?
  • Did you know the YMCA of USA had responded to several crises in the 2000's - the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon (Sept. 11, 2001), the Pacific Rim Tsunami (2004), Hurricane Katrina (2005), the earthquake in Haiti (2010) and the crisis in Ukraine (2022 to present)? Through our fundraising and rebuilding efforts, the YMCA of USA was able to rekindle hope in affected communities, particularly among young people.