History of the Regional YMCA

The Regional Y began in the late 1800's as a storefront operation in downtown Danbury, later evolving into the Danburia Regional Young Men's Christian Association by 1963. It ultimately changed its corporate name to the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, Inc. in 1988; currently ranked as the 3rd largest Y in Connecticut. In April 2002, the Board of Directors voted to approve the corporation’s new name, Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut and Eastern Putnam County, Inc.

Plans abruptly changed in 1985 from constructing a new Y on Clapboard Ridge Road in Danbury to its current site on Huckleberry Hill Road in Brookfield when Trustee, Roy Young, unveiled what he called, "A Plan for the New Century". This altered the blueprint that had been in place since 1967.

The Y has grown into one of the leading providers of child care in Connecticut and has constructed a state of the art Arts and Humanities Center. Its emphasis on building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities guides all its strategic moves.

TODAY…
The Regional Y’s service area is 22 towns:

Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sherman, Warren, and Washington, Connecticut; and Brewster, Carmel, Cold Spring, Kent, Mahopac, Patterson, Philipstown, and Southeast, New York.

2010 The YMCA unveils national brand revitalization effort focused on Healthy Living, Youth Development and Social Responsibility, and new logo
2009 Praxair announces $100,000 gift to the Regional YMCA Endowment Fund
2008 Marie Miszewski steps in as new President/CEO
2007 The New $1.6 million Aquatic Center opens at Camp Greenknoll
2006 The YMCA Renovates Boughton Street Branch thanks to a $500,000 lead gift from the State of Connecticut
2005 A Decision to close Boughton Street YMCA changes after Mayor Boughton pledges city support
2005 The YMCA begins its obesity awareness and prevention program called Activate America
2004 The Board of Directors approves $5 million capital campaign to build Aquatic Center at Camp Greenknoll, renovate Boughton Street and reduce organizational debt
2003 The Regional YMCA agrees to operate Geer Village Facility, in Canaan, CT
2002 A New Arts and Humanities Center at 293 Main Street, home of Escape to the Arts, opens.
2001 YMCA of Eastern Putnam County Receives official branch status from the YMCA of the USA
2000 The YUSA Kicks-off two initiative’s Membership by Design and Diversity, and The Next Century of Inclusion.
1999 Major Renovations and Addition of Staff Housing at Great Hollow Completed
1998 The Y expanded Day Camp Program, offering 25 different summer camp options for children
1998 Boughton Street converts stage to a children’s preschool readiness center for early learning school
1997 $400,000 state bond approved by the state for purchase of Great Hollow
1996 New Boughton Street imitative attracts 2,700 new members
1995 Escape to the Arts Program, taken over by the YMCA offering innovative art programs to inner-city children
1994 Y began negotiations with Wesleyan University and the state of Connecticut to administer a 25 year old wilderness bound program on 900 acres in New Fairfield
1993 All Y Child Care Centers became accredited by the NAEYC
1992 Distributed over $300,000 in program and membership services to those economically, socially and physically challenged
1991 Expansion of Day Camp and Child Care Completed by State Grant
1988 Greenknoll Branch opens its doors December 7th, with 1,000 new members
1987 The Ground Breaking for New YMCA began
1986 Future site of Greenknoll Branch in Brookfield is purchased
1983 Plans to construct new facility and fund raising began
1982 The Y signs lease with town of Bethel for Grassy Plain School, new site for Y Children’s Center
1981 1ST Nautilus Center Opened
1980 Post Coronary Program began with Danbury Hospital
1975 Day Camp at Wooster School began with Y constructed pool
1973 Tiny Tot Nursery School Centers was established
1971 Purchasing of the Kearney Community Center from St. Peter’s Church
1967 A site was purchased on Clapboard Ridge for Future Building Site
1963 Incorporates as the Danburia Regional Young Men’s Christian Association
1861 First Recorded Y work in Danbury