Welcome to the
The La Porte County Family YMCA strengthens the foundations of our community through well-being and fitness, camps, family time, swim, sports and play, and other activities for people of all ages, incomes and abilities. We’re more than just a place to work out. At the Y, we help build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all with the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility at the heart of everything we do.
With a commitment to nurturing youth development, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility, the Y ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive.
1909: Charter is signed
1911: New building opened
1920s: Our YMCA birthed many things: three youth bands, LaPorte Little Theatre, and one of the first in the nation Women and Girls Department.
1930s: Y opened doors to all youth during depression.
1940s: Swing Shoppe, later Meissner Room, for teens began.
1950s: YMCA Nursery School opened; YMCA Endowment Fund started; United Fund started and housed at the Y, and contributed 64 percent of Y’s budget.
1960s: One hundred eighty-seven community groups met at Y; current swimming pool and Shick Gymnasium opened.
1979: LaPorte County Triathlon began.
1980s: Nautilus Center opened; elected first woman President of Y Board; closed dormitory rooms to open a second gym, renamed La Porte Family YMCA; began school age childcare.
1990s: With the city’s help, opened the YMCA Child Care and Learning Center on Monroe Street; entered the computer age; replaced the Nautilus equipment with Cybex, began a capital campaign and chartered the Horizon Endowment Club.
2000s: Opened our current addition with new locker rooms, cardio center and weight room; renovated and rededicated the Swanson Gym and Jones Family Pool; day camp boomed to 150 children a day; and renewed our determination to support families in all our programs.
