YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles

For nearly 140 years, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles has been driven by four core values: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Today, the organization operates 26 branches across Los Angeles County and serves 500,000 community members, about a third of whom receive financial assistance to pay membership and program dues. The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles operates a broad range of programs, including health and wellness classes, camps, child care assistance, youth programs, teen programs, and senior programs. These diverse programs are operated in conjunction with over 200 community partners across Los Angeles County, including schools, hospitals, clinics, and other community-based organizations. Central to the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles' mission is civic engagement: The YMCA features the largest Youth & Government delegation in the world, as well as Model United Nations and Model Legislature & Court programs. Through this vast network of supportive services and enrichment programs, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles champions youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic reached Los Angeles, the YMCA mobilized its vast community of resources to support the most vulnerable populations throughout Los Angeles. Their network of 26 locations across LA County banded to offer "Grab and Go" and delivered meals each day to thousands of families throughout the County of Los Angeles. In addition, the YMCA has developed partnerships with community-based organizations to create a database of seniors, including those who are most food insecure, in order to deliver food and essential items like toiletries to those most in need. The YMCA is also providing no-cost childcare for essential mission-critical front-line workers, including emergency responders, medical personnel, and government employees. Further, as a result of COVID-19, 7,000 locations have cancelled blood drives with the American Red Cross, resulting in 200,000 units of blood needs unmet. To meet these needs, the YMCA has scheduled weekly blood drives across 11 YMCAs totaling 17 blood drives in greater LA. Finally, the YMCA is currently coordinating efforts with the Mayor's Office and LA City Sanitation to open YMCA facilities to be "hygiene centers" for shower and other amenities to people who are unsheltered. The YMCA is leveraging its assets to provide this necessary support.