2026 Sesquicentennial: Celebrating 150 years of Impact with the YMCA of Greater San Antonio

Founded in London in 1844. It was founded as a refuge for young men seeking a better life during the industrial revolution with the mission to foster a healthy spirit, mind, body. The YMCA quickly expanded across the globe becoming a beacon of health, education and community.

The YMCA was the first service organization in San Antonio. It was founded in 1876 by a group of volunteers who wanted to serve cowboys, railroad employees, young men and boys who had moved from the suburbs into the city to find employment. Without owning a building, volunteers began providing food, lodging, reading rooms and activities in borrowed facilities around town.

James Naismith invents basketball as an indoor, winter sport. James Naismith wrote and developed the game's original thirteen rules and, through the YMCA network, quickly spread the news throughout the country.

The Y's official emblem is simplified. It is said the second ring represents friendship and love without end among individuals.

It wasn't until 1907 that the YMCA built their first facility in San Antonio at the corner of North Alamo and Third Street. The facility allowed young men to participate in bible study, physical activity and education classes. San Antonio's first purpose-built Y was dedicated April 5, 1907, the building in the 200 block of Third Street at North Alamo included a pool.

June 6, Sonora Louise Smart founded Father's Day at the Spokane, Washington YMCA.

The first kids' swimming lessons began a few years later, when the local Y first announced in the Light, May 26, 1912, that it was “instituting a series of free classes in swimming for boys (of) 12-15 years (in) classes of 25, the capacity of the pool.” Following the newly evolved method, they would first be taught strokes in the gym, to gain confidence and would then be “turned loose in the pool.” The San Antonio Y's physical director, a Mr. Tanenbaum, said the purpose was to “lessen to some extent the number of juvenile deaths from drowning which occur every summer.” Those who learned to swim the length of the pool would receive “beautifully designed gunmetal buttons.”

Thirty-six Black Men, including Odie Davis Jr. and Dr. Davis Scott, Sr. founded the Alamo Branch.

YMCA pool downtown offered swimming lessons for 50 years. In the first year 1958, over 12,000 people swam in the pool.

The new Downtown Branch building opened at 903 North St. Mary's.

In the mid-1970s, the national YMCA and the NBA Players Association created the Youth Basketball Association (YBA) to organize sports programs for young people that emphasize skills and teamwork over winning.

A surge of baby boomers with families became members of the YMCA. The Y responded by creating new programs like family swims and family nights, providing families with opportunities to play, interact and have fun together.

A photograph of the Los Colonias Marathon at the Westside YMCA in San Antonio, Texas. The Westside YMCA can be seen in the background, and there is large air filled balloon of a Coca Cola can. People, including children can be seen in front of the building. Jose Rendon helped to establish this marathon.

Healthy Kids Day is started to encourage the healthy development of young people. The YMCA held its first national Healthy Kids Day in 1992 – the nation’s largest health inspired day for kids and families. Free and open to the public, it became an annual event every April designed to emphasize the importance of keeping kids healthy and moving over the summer and all year long.

The Alamo Branch was relocated and renamed to the Davis-Scott Family YMCA.

In the late 1990s, Bob Roberts of Comfort, Texas donated the YMCA Roberts Ranch to the Y. The ranch is a nature preserve and education and research center where families and children can explore the outdoors in the Hill Country. The property has been used for years by hundreds of children in an outdoor education program sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

The Boerne Family YMCA opened its first entirely new facility in 30 years in January 2006.

The Mays Family YMCA at Stone Oak new membership facility expanded sports program facility, to add member services and wellness area in January 2007.

The New Braunfels Family YMCA was founded.

The Braundera Family YMCA renamed to the YMCA at O.P. Schnabel Park in 2015.

Downtown YMCA was relocated and renamed to the D.R. Semmes Family YMCA at Tripoint.

The Schertz Family YMCA opens!

The Thousand Oaks Family YMCA opens!

Siclovia event launches in partnership with The City of...

The Northeast YMCA was relocated and renamed to the Walzem Family YMCA.

Signature Social Responsibility Program Debuts - Togetherhood, the Y's signature program for social responsibility, debuted in 2014. The member-led community service program encourages Y members to find volunteer projects to improve their neighborhoods.

YMCA of Greater San Antonio President and CEO, Sandy Morander and City officials broke ground on the new Harvey E. Najim Family YMCA.

Inauguration of the Harvey E. Najim Family YMCA. Named after a local philanthropist, this new facility featured state-of-the-art equipment, community spaces, and diverse programming.

August 2017- Grand Opening of Boerne Family YMCA.

San Antonio YMCA steps in to improve weight room for players at NCAA women's basketball tournament.

YMCA of Greater San Antonio launches E-Sports program.

YMCA of Greater San Antonio, Alamo Colleges District create summer day camp to bridge higher education and close the child care gap.

YMCA of Greater San Antonio implements mental health services for members.