Our Impact
The Valley Shore YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit organization located in the small town of Westbrook, Connecticut, situated on both the Connecticut shoreline and in the lower Connecticut River Valley. We have a vibrant membership of 6,000 people, as well as over 100 employees and over 100 annual volunteers. The Valley Shore YMCA community is a diverse blend of many ethnicities, religions, and socioeconomic groups. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive, and we fulfill the promise to all in our community to serve everyone who comes through our doors regardless of their ability to pay. The Valley Shore YMCA is more than just a pool or a gym; it is a place for people to grow, discover their potential, and build lifelong friendships in a safe and nurturing environment; it is a community of caring individuals and families where honesty, respect, responsibility, and building character values are always a priority.
Our Cause
The mission of the Y is still very much at work in our community. Services provided by the Y are not just programs that are appreciated by our members, but to many they are essential to their well-being or the overall strength and success of their family.
- The Y is community centered. For 106 years, we’ve been listening and responding to the unique needs of the shoreline communities we serve.
- The Y brings people together. Individuals of all ages and backgrounds connect to bridge the gaps and to build a stronger community.
- The Y nurtures potential. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
- The Y has local presence and global reach. Worldwide, the Y serves more than 45 million people in 119 countries. In communities across the CT Shoreline area, we mobilize local efforts to bring about lasting and meaningful change.
Areas of Focus
The Valley Shore YMCA is committed to strengthening our community by providing resources for families to live their safest and healthiest lives. We assist families in battling chronic diseases, reduce the risk of drowning and work to prevent child abuse. By taking advantage of our deep roots in the community and strong ties to local health care providers and other service organizations, the YMCA has the infrastructure to improve the health and safety of our families by providing programs to help prevent or reverse these critical issues.
We believe that ALL children and teens have potential. Thanks to the YMCA, more young people are taking a greater interest in learning and making smart life choices. Our Race 4 Chase Youth Triathlon Training Program provides youth with opportunities to become healthy and confident. By building confident kids today, the Y is helping to assure that they will become contributing and engaged adults tomorrow.
The Valley Shore YMCA stands as a cornerstone in community enrichment, creating connections and promoting well-being. Beyond fitness, the YMCA’s impact extends through dynamic programs, emphasizing youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The inclusion of a thriving community garden not only nurtures physical health but also cultivates a shared space for learning, collaboration, and sustainable practices, further strengthening the ties that bind our community.
The Valley Shore YMCA is a community service organization which promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, with a focus on youth. We are recognized by the IRS and State of Connecticut as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
