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, a third of whom receive financial assistance to pay membership and program dues. The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles operates health and wellness classes, camps, child-care assistance, and programs supporting children, teens, and seniors. These diverse programs are operated in conjunction with more than 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. Its network of 26 locations across Los Angeles County offered "Grab and Go" meals and delivered food each day to thousands of families throughout the region. In addition, the YMCA has developed partnerships with community-based organizations to create a database of in-need seniors and provide them with deliveries of food and essential items. 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 the COVID-19 crisis, 7,000 locations have cancelled blood drives with the American Red Cross, leaving the organization 200,000 units shy of its needs. To help erase the defecit, the YMCA has scheduled weekly blood drives across 11 YMCAs totaling 17 blood drives in greater Los Angeles. Finally, the YMCA is currently coordinating efforts with the Mayor's Office and LA City Sanitation to open YMCA facilities as "hygiene centers" to people who are unsheltered.