OUR STORY
The Central Coast YMCA is an association of five branches serving the Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties. Formed in 1989, the Central Coast YMCA began with the merger of two independent YMCAs; the Salinas Community YMCA (founded in 1921) and the Watsonville Family YMCA (founded in 1898). Originally a USO built in 1941, with the purpose of supporting American troops during World War II, the YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula joined the association in 1990. In 1998 the South County YMCA became the fourth branch in the association, extending our service area to the residents of south Monterey County. After a very successful Founder’s Campaign, the YMCA of San Benito County became the fifth and most recent addition to the association in 1999.
We are an independent, private, nonprofit corporation, governed by the laws of the State of California. Our policies are set by the Board of Directors, a group of local volunteers legally charged with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the organization. While we are a part of the YMCA of the USA, we are responsible for our own policies, programs, and budgets. The Central Coast YMCA has access to management assistance from the YMCA of the USA.