Our History

About the YMCA

The Alleghany Highlands YMCA has, since its conception, provided a variety of youth and family programs and expanded membership services into all of the Alleghany Highlands communities.

The YMCA is a non-profit organization owned by the local community and supported solely by those who choose to join and take part in any of the many programs offered, as well as those who choose to make voluntary contributions.

The YMCA is committed to putting Christian principles into practice. YMCA programs, activities and relationships teach and model positive values in order to strengthen kids, families and communities. Caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are core values evident in all we do.

The YMCA is a charity, membership-based organization that serves the Alleghany Highland community. We seek to broaden an individual’s involvement, first from participant to member and later to volunteer, donor and advocate.

YMCA programs are developmental by nature, helping people grow in spirit, mind and body, while recognizing the benefits of recreational time and pursuits. The YMCA seeks to be fairly priced, affordable to all, and perceived as a good value.

Charitable and earned revenue together provide the necessary resources to accomplish our mission. A generous and easily accessible scholarship program keeps our programs and facilities open to all.

History

The Alleghany Highlands YMCA was founded in 1993 as a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization.  Since that time, the YMCA operated out of the Boy’s Home facility. In recent years the YMCA outgrew the facility and began a capital campaign to construct a new facility that would meet the needs of the community. Through the support of the Alleghany Foundation, local businesses and supporters of the YMCA, the Alleghany Highlands YMCA opened its first full facility in December 2007.

The full facility is a 37,000 square foot facility located in the Alleghany Regional Commerce Center in Low Moor, Virginia. The facility includes a wellness center complete with cardiovascular machines, strength training equipment and a free weight section, a walking track, full court gym and full size indoor swimming pool. In addition to these amenities, the YMCA offers land and water group exercise classes, child watch and fit kids for children ages 6 weeks to eleven years old, arts & humanities classes, swim lessons, swim team, specialty day camps, teen programs and senior adult programs.

The Alleghany Highlands YMCA is widely known for quality EARLY LEARNING programs that serve families through the West Learning Center in Covington and Central Learning Center, located in the Mountain View Elementary School. These programs provide full day care and educational programming for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, utilizing the STREAMin3 model. The YMCA works in partnership with the school district and Head Start to provide free services to children who are at academic risk.

The YMCA also provides after school programming for children at both of the learning centers. Children receive homework assistance and participate in a variety of activities including health & wellness, literacy, character development, and arts & humanities.