About Our Strong Community Campaign

For more than 150 years, the Y has delivered lasting personal and social change to children, adults and families in neighborhoods across St. Louis area. The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

We count on the generosity of our members and partners who give to our Strong Community Campaign to welcome all who need a healthy, connected and secure place to go.

The Y gave $2.38 million back to our communities in direct financial assistance in 2011, including $1.28 million in membership assistance to 5,240 member households.

As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charity, the YMCA has provided millions of dollars in assistance over the years. We can only do that with your help. Please make your tax deductible gift today!

Our Campus Y Story

Picture the Future teaches middle and high school students photography at Lift for Life Academy as an after school club.  We work on building their self-esteem and discovering their creativity by challenging them to express ideas and emotions through photo projects.  The most difficult assignment for our students is always their self-portrait because they are forced to choose the one aspect they want to focus on and find a meaningful way to portray it.  While we teach the basics of digital photography and writing, Picture the Future is first and foremost a mentorship program between the participants and Washington University students, who serve as positive role models.  Even further, Picture the Future exposes these students early on to college and the possibilities available to them after high school graduation.  One of our past participants, Charlotte, liked being in Picture the Future because it "allowed me to think outside the box and expand my creativity."

Giving Levels:

$50 Covers leadership training for 5 student program leaders

$150 Purchases costumes and props for 2 Spotlight on Youth shows

$300 Provides a fun bonding activity for the community members in our S.A.G.E. program

$1000 Supplies 100 middle school students with ongoing academic tutoring