The YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area has its roots in the national YMCA, which started in 1844 in London, England. Together, the nation's more than 2,500 YMCAs make up the largest not-for-profit community service organization in America. The YMCA works to meet the health and social service needs of 18.9 million men, women and children in 10,000 communities in the United States. The YMCA is for people of all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. No one is turned away for inability to pay.



The YMCA goes beyond the United States. YMCAs are at work in more than 120 countries around the world, serving more than 45 million people. About 230 YMCAs in the United States maintain relationships with YMCAs in other countries. The YMCA builds strong kids, strong families, strong communities - worldwide.



YMCAs are not for profit entities that give back to their communities in a variety of ways.  Please look over our 2008 Annual Report and read about all the ways the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area impacted the Cedar Rapids area last year.



The YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan started in Cedar Rapids in 1868. Presently, we have three branches, the Helen G. Nassif YMCA, the Marion YMCA, and the Stoney Point YMCA. The association also includes YMCA Camp Wapsie.



The first YMCA building in Cedar Rapids opened in 1888 on the banks of the Cedar River. The first Central YMCA stood at the corner of First Avenue and First Street NE, the present location of the Tree of Five Seasons sculpture. The water was pumped directly from the Cedar River. Swimmers were encouraged to not wear swim attire because the wool fibers wreaked havoc with the filtering system. The marble used in the pool was originally from Italy.