About

The YMCA of Florida’s Emerald Coast has been serving the Emerald Coast Area Since 1962. Today we have four branches serving Okaloosa County. Fort Walton Family YMCA including YMCA Child Care; Destin Family YMCA Aquatic Center; Crestview Family YMCA; Niceville Family YMCA, and Emerald Coast YMCA Metro Office.

The Emerald Coast YMCA, a nonprofit organization that engages thousands of people each year uniting men, women and children of all ages, races, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. The YMCA is a cause for strengthening community, committed every day to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive

The YMCA is meeting the nation’s most pressing needs: nurturing and affordable child care for low- and middle-income children, programs for disadvantaged and at-risk youth, addressing the crisis of childhood obesity, support for the families of military service members deployed overseas and programs that promote a healthy spirit, mind and body. Financial assistance-made possible by private and public support, United Way, as well as YMCA members-opens all YMCAs to those in need.

Our Mission:
The YMCA mission: “Putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build spirit, mind, and body for all”.

Vision Statement:
The YMCA will provide the highest quality programs and services for children and families through out the Emerald Coast. Our hallmarks will be the teamwork of our people and our ability to respond to community needs.

Areas of Focus:
Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen.                                                                    
Healthy Living: Improving the nation’s health and well-being.
Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors

Core Values:
Our core values unite us as a movement with a common cause. They are the shared beliefs and essential principles that guide our behavior, interactions with each other and decision-making.

The four values of the Y:                                                                                                                                           
Caring/Red: Show a sincere concern for others.
Honesty/Blue: Be truthful in what you say and do
Respect/Gold: Follow the golden rule Responsibility/Green: Be accountable for your promises and actions

To read more about the history of the YMCA, click here.  To learn more about the new YMCA logo and it’s history, click here.

2010 YMCA of Florida’s Emerald Coast, Inc.

Board of Directors

Aaron Wentz, Chairman
Al Stearns, Chairman Elect
TBD, Secretary
Gary Heapy, Treasurer
Larry Reeder, Member-at-Large
Gail Miceli, Past Chaiman
Joe Casal, President/CEO