Who We Are
Founded in 1992, the Cleveland County Family YMCA has served the Cleveland County area for nearly two decades. From humble beginnings, we’ve grown from a few sports programs and an aerobics program at the Cleveland Mall, to a Y with world-class facilities. We’ve partnered with the Cleveland Regional Medical Center to bring better health and well-being to our neighbors and have celebrated the great generosity of those in our community with each location that has opened.
The Difference
The YMCA has something no other organization offers. From the beginning, the Y brings people together for a greater cause. Our programs personally strengthen those involved and encourage everyone to work together. At the Y, in each community and individual, we are the difference!
Our Cause
At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
Who We Are
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through
youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
What We Do
The Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to
learn, grow and thrive. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the nation’s health and well-being, and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors.
How We Do It
There is no other nonprofit quite like the Y. That’s because in 10,000 neighborhoods across the nation, we have the presence and partnerships to not just promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.
» The Y is community centered. For nearly 160 years, we’ve been listening and responding
to our communities.
» The Y brings people together. We connect people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge
the gaps in community needs.
» The Y nurtures potential. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
» The Y has local presence and national reach. We mobilize local communities to affect lasting, meaningful change.
Our History Serving the Cleveland County Area
September 1991 – Feasibility Study conducted by YMCA of the USA to assess community readiness for a YMCA
January 1992 – YMCA Volunteers raise $200,000 as a Founders Campaign to start YMCA
August 1992 - Cameron Corder hired as first Executive
November 1992 – First programs created; basketball at Marion School and Indoor Soccer at Shelby Middle School
March 1993 – YMCA aerobics begin at the Cleveland Mall
January 1994 – YMCA store front facility opens on Marion Street
June 1997 – The YMCA and Cleveland Regional Medical Center establish partnership
August 1997 – Capital Campaign begins
March 1998 – YMCA Charters Boiling Springs YMCA as a partnership with the Town of Boiling Springs
August 1998 – YMCA Breaks ground for the new Dover Foundation YMCA on Cherryville Rd.
July 1999 – YMCA partners with the City of Kings Mountain to start Kings Mountain YMCA
February 2000 – Dover Foundation YMCA opens
March 2000 – Governor Jim Hunt keynotes the YMCA dedication ceremony
January 2002 – The Girls Club YMCA Chartered as a branch in a partnership with the United Way
September 2003 – The GWU Student YMCA was chartered as a partnership between YMCA of the USA and GWU
August 2005 – The Boiling Springs YMCA purchases 30 acres of property for a future YMCA
October 2005 – Riverbend Golf Course YMCA was chartered as a result of a gift from Paul and Margaret Porter
August 2006 – YMCA partners with Rutherford County Schools to offer summer camp and after school programs
October 2006 – YMCA partners with The First Tee to offer youth golf programs at Riverbend Golf Course
December 2006 – Capital Campaign begins for Boiling Springs YMCA
May 2007 – The Boiling Springs YMCA breaks ground for a new YMCA to open in 2008
June 2008 – The Ruby C. Hunt YMCA in Boiling Springs opens
October 2008 – Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue keynotes the Ruby C. Hunt dedication ceremony