Founded in London in 1844 by George Williams, the YMCA was created to offer spiritual and practical support to young men moving to cities for work during the Industrial Revolution. Its mission of fostering a healthy mind, body, and spirit soon expanded beyond England, reaching communities around the world. Over the years, the YMCA has grown into a global organization, offering programs in education, fitness, and social services, while remaining dedicated to inclusivity and positive social change. Today, it serves millions of people in 120 countries, promoting well-being and community development for all.

The Darien YMCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Our mission is to strengthen the foundation of the community through programs, services and relationships that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

We aim to be an effective resource and influential community partner by building meaningful, caring relationships and promoting healthy, productive lifestyles for generations.

Here in the Darien community, we’ve been committed to building strong kids, strong families and a strong community for over 60 years and are determined to keep doing it for at least 60 more. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, background, or income, feels welcome and has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. We provide over $600,000 in financial assistance and scholarships each year to support those in need. We’re committed to having a greater impact on the overall well-being of the community by seeking collaboration, inspiring trust and heightening awareness to foster support and sustain youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Our core values drive everything our staff and volunteers do to live out our mission and make a meaningful and long-lasting impact in our greater Darien community.

• Caring – We demonstrate sincere concern for others, their needs and wellbeing
• Honesty – We tell the truth and demonstrate reliability & trustworthiness
• Respect – We treat others as we would want to be treated and value the worth of every person
• Responsibility – We do what is right and are accountable for our choices & actions

By holding ourselves accountable to build character around our core values, we
build healthy spirit, mind and body FOR ALL.