MARYSVILLE – The Marysville YMCA is celebrating 20 years in town with a weeklong celebration Aug. 24-28.
A kickoff event will be from 3-7 p.m. with food and fun, with a short program at 5:30 p.m.
The Marysville Y began in 1969 at the corner of 10th Street and Beach Street as an independent YMCA. In 1988 it became an official chartered branch of the YMCA of Snohomish County. A new facility was built in 1995 at 6420 60th Drive NE. As membership grew, so did the branch with facility additions in 1998 and 2003. The branch now serves 8,600 people.
“As we look forward to the next twenty years we want to continue to transform lives and build stronger relationships with our staff, members and community,” said JJ Frank, the next executive director. Formerly the associate executive director, Frank has been with the YMCA since 1998, when he started as a Youth/Middle School Program Director. He replaces Mary Bredereck, now executive director of the Stanwood-Camano YMCA.
Looking back
•1998 – 5,000-square-foot expansion offered new cardio fitness space and the children’s Adventure Zone.
•2002 – Creation of Minority Achievers Program, a leadership program for students of color and immigrant students ages 11-19.
•2003 – 8,100-square-foot expansion of Family & Teen Program Center, which included multi-purpose classroom space, youth/wellness studio and family lounge/library.
•2003- Then teen member Benji Travis received the United Way Spirit of Snohomish County Award for his work with the YMCA’s Minority Achievers Program. Travis went from teen member, to teen staff to now sitting on the branch Board of Directors.
•2007 – Led Pioneering Healthy Communities effort working to transform Marysville into a Model Healthy Community to address issues such as obesity and diabetes.
•2011 – Opened the YMCA Youth Development Center in the former Marysville Food Bank, thanks to the community and donation from the Tulalip Tribes.
•2015 – Installation of new solar system to maximize energy efficiency, reduce waste and minimize its carbon footprint.
