Our History

On May 8, 1858 a small group of businessmen held their first meeting to discuss organizing a YMCA in New Haven and within a year, the YMCA started their work with outreach programs and no building of their own.  Now, 150 years later, the New Haven YMCA has become the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA and has grown to 12 branches serving 75,000 people annually in a 24 town area Our YMCA is committed to caring for individuals and families, with a focus on youth. Through our leadership and diverse programs, we will advocate for those whose voices are seldom heard, improve neighborhoods, and build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

The Boards of Directors, Managers and Trustees remain the visionaries who guide the work, identify unmet needs in our communities and ensure that we have the staff capacity and financial support to make a difference in the outcomes for our many members and program participants.

Although the work of our YMCA has changed over the years, from teaching English to immigrants in the early 1900’s to teaching values to modern day youth, our Y’s have a long record of service and programs that have brought a better quality of life to their communities. One of the greatest things our Y’s will continue to do is build character in children and adults.