Mission:

The Jefferson County Family YMCA seeks to enhance the lives of all people within the county through programs designed to develop spirit, mind and body. We are dedicated to the values of caring, respect, responsibility and honesty.

Our Goals:

YMCA primary goals has been to explore a county-wide plan for a facility or facilities which would include an aquatic center and could accommodate people of all ages and interests. The group plans to give this issue a lot of attention in 2003. At the same time, the YMCA is working to identify program needs within the community that are not otherwise being met and continues its work in building partnerships and a positive presence.

History:

In the spring of 2002, a newly formed Jefferson County Family YMCA hit the ground running with programs, partnerships and untapped potential. It also had a director, Bill Kush. The rest of the nuts and bolts would have to come in time. By the end of the year, the organization had acquired an office in the lower level of the Community Center in Port Townsend, completed a modest fundraising campaign, secured a renewal of the city recreation contract, drafted a strategic plan, were awarded three grants, formulated an after school childcare program with Chimacum School District, retained a committed board and expanded it, forged a use agreement for facility time with Jefferson County Parks and Recreation, had participated in six YMCA-sponsored seminars and had program ideas cropping up left and right. The YMCA continues to provide all of the programs previously offered by the Port Townsend Recreation department in partnership with the Port Townsend School District which focus on K-8 participants. To that schedule, the YMCA has added several new programs aimed at serving high-school age participants and students in Chimacum.