About

YMCA SOUTHCOAST HAS BEEN WORKING TO PROVIDE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO THOUSANDS OF YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHCOAST REGION FOR NEARLY 160 YEARS.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen through programs that include; childcare, educational programs, sports, activities, summer day camps, overnight camps, swim programs, teen leadership programs, events, clubs, and volunteering programs.

HEALTHY LIVING: Improving our community’s health and well-being by offering support, guidance, resources, facilities, and expertise.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Inspiring hope, creating new opportunities for success, and meaningfully changing futures through initiatives in education, health, character building, vocational training, mentoring, financial aid, and cultural understanding.

At YMCA SOUTHCOAST we value the little things. We believe healthy living is not just a fad, it’s a way of life. We are a community, and a family, embracing today’s social responsibilities together. We work to ensure that we are a Y for ALL people. For over a century we have been developing healthy minds, bodies, and spirits.

The Y is so much more than a gym. Through our initiatives, programs, and services youth realize their potential; teens and young adults prepare for college; families spend time and have fun together; people are healthier in mind, body, and spirit; job seekers prepare for employment; newcomers are welcome and embraced; a nationwide service ethic is fostered; and so much more.

We invite you to explore all the Y has to offer you.

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Our Timeline

1857

1867

1889

1963

1972

1998

2001

2004

2005

2012

2015

2020

1857

The Fall River YMCA was founded.

1867

Thirty men of the County Street Methodist Episcopal Church met to form the New Bedford YMCA.

1889

The Y moved to 147 William Street and offered a broad range of fitness, social, and educational programs.

1963

The Y purchased Camp Massasoit, a 25-acre day camp in Mattapoisett.

1972

A new Y facility is built on South Water Street.

1998

The New Bedford YMCA expanded with the addition of the Musser Youth and Family Center.

2001

The Dartmouth YMCA and Camp Metacomet opened on the site of the former Children’s Museum.

2004

The Gleason Family YMCA opened in Wareham.

2005

Thirty acres of woodlands were acquired for a future day camp in Rochester, MA, and YMCA Southcoast merged with the Fall River YMCA, founded in 1857.

2012

The Gleason Family YMCA was completed. Major expansions included a full-size gymnasium and track, an outdoor pool, a group exercise/multi purpose room, and adult locker rooms with steam and sauna.

2015

The Fall River YMCA revitalization was completed, to include new locker rooms, a state-of-the-art Wellness Center, an updated pool, squash courts, BayCoast Bank Educational Achievement Center, and full handicap accessibility.

The new Stoico/FIRSTFED YMCA in Swansea opened on December 19, 2015. The Y immediately started connecting communities and changing lives. It is located on 36 acres and is named after the major donor, Stoico/FIRSTFED.

2020

Due to the COVID Pandemic, YMCA Southcoast has partnered with Greater Boston Food Bank to launch the Full Plate Project at five participating Y branches (Dartmouth, Fall River, New Bedford, Swansea, and Wareham) to address the growing lack of access to healthy, affordable food during economic struggles. Each household receives pre-packaged bags of groceries that include a variety of nonperishable items, as well as fresh produce and meats when available.

THE YMCA IN THE UNITED STATES

The YMCA serves more than 10,000 neighborhoods across the country as the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to helping people and communities grow stronger through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Together our contributions are both far-reaching and intimate — from influencing our nation’s culture during times of profound social change to the individual support we provide our members in our local branches.

By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-being, and supporting and serving our neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected, and secure.

For more information about the YMCA of the USA please visit: www.ymca.org