MISSION STATEMENT:
YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening our communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all.
ABOUT US:
In August 2018, Central Bucks Family YMCA and Lower Bucks Family YMCA merged to form YMCA of Bucks County. Upper Bucks YMCA merged with YMCA of Bucks County on January 1 2019, forming one county-wide YMCA under the leadership of Zane Moore, President/CEO. During this time, the organization operated member branches in Doylestown, Fairless Hills, Newtown, Quakertown and Warminster, as well as child care centers in Fairless Hills, Morrisville, New Britain, Newtown and Quakertown with an outdoor camp center in Holland. With annual revenue of over $20 million, YMCA of Bucks County employed nearly 2,000 people, serveed more than 60,600 members and participants annually, and provided $5 million in charitable community impact each year.
On April 1, 2022, YMCA of Bucks County in Pennsylvania and Hunterdon County YMCA in New Jersey came together as one organization.
Lower Bucks Family YMCA - now our Fairless Hill branch
Lower Bucks Family YMCA began in 1935 when twelve Bristol High School boys approached faculty member John Burris and expressed a desire to form a purposeful club. Mr. Burris contacted the Pennsylvania State YMCA and requested help to start a local affiliate, initially called the High-Y program and eventually launching a girls group called Tri-Hi-Y. Located in an old firehouse on Mansion Street in Bristol, over 400 students were involved in the organization that incorporated in 1948 as YMCA of Bristol. In 1956 the name was changed to Lower Bucks County YMCA and in 1959 the YMCA broke ground in Fairless Hills to build the first phase of its current facility, which opened in 1960.
Through three branch locations in Fairless Hills, Newtown (Chandler Hall), and Morrisville, an outdoor campsite, and additional program sites the organization has grown into a large, respected provider of critical services for children, families and seniors throughout the southern end of Bucks County.
Central Bucks Family YMCA - now our Doylestown branch
In the mid-1960's, community leaders proposed the establishment of a Y in the Central Bucks community with subsequent locations in a store front on North Main Street and the basement of the old Doylestown Borough High School at Broad and Court Streets. In 1972, when fire destroyed the borough school building, Y programs were held at several local churches and school buildings.
In 1974, Mr. and Mrs. David Burpee deeded the 7-1/2 acre site at Lower State Road and Memorial Drive to the Y. In 1979, the current facility was opened with 1,500 members.
With several expansions of the main building over the years, the organization unveiled their largest expansion to date in 2009 with the addition of a second indoor pool, three new locker rooms, expanded fitness center with dedicated spin room and weight room, two new fitness studios, meeting space, expanded lobby and public meeting space.
In October 2014, Y leadership received the official proclamation from Y-USA (the governing body of all YMCAs in the USA) creating the Warminster Branch of Central Bucks Family YMCA and in January, 2017 opened the facility at 624 York Road in Warminster.
Upper Bucks YMCA - now our Quakertown branch
While articles of incorporation for Upper Bucks YMCA were approved in 1968, the YMCA has played an integral role in the health, wellness, and character of our community since the 1930s with the establishment of Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y Clubs for youth in 1932 and 1943 respectively. Originally residing in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 5th and Broad Streets in Quakertown, the Y moved to the former American Legion building in 1970 temporarily while construction began on a site on 14th Street. A pool was added in 1973 and racquetball courts in 1981.
The organization expanded through the purchase of additional properties and sites, first acquiring an indoor sport center complex, a former tennis center on California Road in 1984, and an outdoor recreational complex with pool in Perkasie in 1998.
The current location at 401 Fairview Avenue was purchased in 2007 and renovated to consolidate Y programming under one roof in two phases with wellness, gymnastics and babysitting opening in 2008 and pools opening in 2009. Programming in all other facilities was eventually moved to this location and all other locations were subsequently sold.
Hunterdon County YMCA - now our Deer Path and Round Valley branches
Established in 1903, Hunterdon County YMCA has two main branches located in Flemington and Annandale, New Jersey. There are 22 satellite locations that include before/after school programs at 17 county schools, a preschool, and three summer camp locations.
The Deer Path facility in Flemington is made up of a comprehensive 27,800 square foot health and physical education facility that opened in 1984. The Round Valley branch in Annandale is made up of 16,000 square foot fitness center and childcare center that was first leased by the Y in 1999 and purchased in 2012. Numerous community facilities including schools, church and municipal buildings provide space for childcare and programs for seniors. The decentralization of our programs allows the Y to serve neighborhoods where they need us most.
On April 1, 2022, YMCA of Bucks County merged with Hunterdon County YMCA in New Jersey, to become YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties.
2019-2021
Furthering their dedication to residents, YMCA of Bucks County announced its “For a Better Us” campaign in late 2018, a commitment to raise $20 million in needed resources to support both growing requests for financial assistance and free programming and to complete major expansion and renovations on facilities in Doylestown and Fairless Hills. The new facilities will enable the Y to expand impact programs that serve cancer survivors, veterans, those with special needs, and more, as well as better support the health journeys of members and the community.
In early 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, YMCA of Bucks County temporarily closed branches based on federal mandates but pivoted to serve the community in vital ways, including supporting families experiencing food insecurity, mental health issues, financial hardships and health and wellness challenges as well as child care for first responders and showers for homeless.
In 2021, the Y completed its much-anticipated capital project for the Doylestown branch. Space was added and renovated to expand the fitness center and free weight area and add additional program spaces, as well as renovation and addition of universal, private locker rooms which now allow the Y to better meet the needs of its many participant groups.
In Q3 of 2022, the Fairless Hills branch capital project will include reconfigured space within its current footprint to allow for an expanded fitness center, new universal locker rooms, additional program space, community gathering area, and more parking, plus give the building a new, modern look.
YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties
As the organization grows, they are proud to expand their offerings of important community impact programs throughout the county including THRIVE cancer wellness program, Back to You substance abuse recovery program, Empower U for teen girls, Healthy Lifestyles aimed at diabetes prevention, and Veterans Wellness giving back to community veterans and their families in addition to free memberships for 7th graders, free swim safety programs for 2nd graders and financial assistance programs for anyone who qualifies.
YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties is governed by an association-wide board of directors with each of the four regions also governed by an advisory board. One leadership and administrative team serves the entire association with each branch being managed by a branch VP, branch directors and operations team.