For a Better Us
WHO WE ARE
The Y is a cause-driven organization focused on three key areas: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We believe a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health, and our neighbors. Our programs, services, and initiatives enable youth to realize their potential, offer families ways so have fun together, empower people to be healthier in spirit, mind, and body, welcome and embrace newcomers, and help foster social responsibility.
OUR MISSION
Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body.
OUR AREAS OF FOCUS
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Nurturing the potential of every child and teen.
The values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for life. At the Y, children and teens learn values and positive behaviors, and can explore their unique talents and interests, helping them realize their potential.
HEALTHY LIVING
Improving our community's health and well-being.
Being healthy is about maintaining a balanced spirit, mind, and body. At the Y, you can work towards that balance by challenging yourself with new activities, fostering connections with neighbors, or joining family-centered activities.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Giving back and providing support to our neighbors.
The generosity of others is at the core of the Y's existence as a nonprofit. It is only through the support of hundreds of volunteers and public and private donors that we are able to support and give back to our community.
OUR COMMITMENT TO NONDISCRIMINATION, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
The Skagit Valley Family YMCA is an organization that embraces nondiscrimination, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome all people regardless of ability, age, background, ethnicity/race, faith, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. The Y believes that, in a diverse world, we are stronger when we are inclusive, when our doors are open to all, and when everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
As our laws and communities continue to change, one thing is constant: the Y is, and always will be, a place where individuals and families from all walks of life are welcome and where they may learn, grow, and thrive - together.
OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY
The Skagit Valley Family YMCA works hard to keep our kids safe. We require a complete criminal, personal and professional background check of each staff and volunteer member. Additionally, all members and guests who enter the Y facility are immediately screened through a local and national sex offender registry.
Here are some additional practices that the Y has in place to protect children in our care:
- Not only all staff, but also volunteers, must read and follow our child abuse prevention policy. Our policy is strict: it prohibits a Y staff person or volunteer from being alone with a child where they cannot be observed by others.
- All staff and volunteers are required to participate in training about the prevention of child abuse, identifying the signs of abuse and reporting suspected abuse incidents. staff renew this training every year. Staff and volunteers in direct service with children are required to undergo additional child abuse prevention trainings.
- If any Y staff member or volunteer become aware of any incident of suspected child abuse, they are required to report the incident to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services immediately for investigation and follow up.
- Each month our membership database is screened for sex offenders using a national database. Results are reviewed by Y staff every quarter and, if needed, appropriate action is taken immediately.
OUR HISTORY
The YMCA was founded in London in 1844. Since then, the Y has grown into an organization serving communities all over the world.
The Skagit Valley Family YMCA was established in 1911 as a Railway Y, providing a safe, positive environment for men working on the railway away from their families.