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Community Services

Empowering Our Neighbors to Learn, Grow & Thrive 

The YMCA of Metro Chicago is dedicated to advancing all communities! We provide a range of activities, trainings, and resources to identify and reduce inequities. From health classes about chronic disease prevention to access to affordable housing and technology, the Y invests in making an impact to achieve better outcomes for all! 

Supporting You in Every Way We Can

One of our greatest strengths is our ability to listen and respond to the needs of the communities we serve. The YMCA of Metro Chicago offers a wide variety of programs that ensure every member of our community is supported and cared for.
  • Irving Park YMCA

    Housing

    The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago has offered housing to low-income adults in the Chicagoland area since 1931, and is one of the largest supportive-housing providers in the Midwest today!
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  • Kids at a computer

    Digital Equity

    The YMCA of Metro Chicago is helping bridge the digital divide and offers bilingual in-person computer support at our Tech Hubs, which come at no cost to city residents.
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  • Teens at Boys and Young Men of Color event at Camp MacLean

    Food Security

    Our commitment to strengthening our communities extends to all aspects of life, including the food we eat! That’s why the Y partners with local and national organizations to make healthy, fresh produce and meals more accessible.
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  • A man getting help in the tech hub

    Economic Empowerment

    Through partnerships with regional organizations, the YMCA of Metro Chicago strives to promote genuine trust, independence, and accountability, empowering individuals to break the cycle of the wealth gap.
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Mental Health First Aid Training

At the Y, we’re dedicated to ensuring that all people have the tools to make their communities safer and healthier. That’s why we host FREE Mental Health First Aid Certification Training sessions. This evidence-based, early-intervention course teaches participants about mental health and substance use challenges, including how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This is part of the Y’s longstanding commitment to fostering a culture of empathy, resilience, and understanding through mental health awareness. 

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Sankofa Wellness Village in Garfield Park

Residents, faith-based and health care institutions, nonprofits – including the YMCA of Metro Chicago! – and other stakeholders in Garfield Park are working to revitalize the neighborhood’s commercial quarter and break the cycle of disinvestment through a new initiative called the Sankofa Wellness Village.

The Sankofa Wellness Village will create opportunities for West Garfield Park residents of all ages to have access to health and recreation services, business development, healthy food and the arts. The village will serve the more than 17,000 residents of West Garfield Park and the surrounding communities.

Addressing a variety of needs, the Sankofa Village Wellness Center, home of the future West Garfield Park YMCA, will bring an exercise facility and comprehensive health care for all ages, as well as YMCA-run, drop-in childcare services, a community-owned credit union, financial education classes, and more. 

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Teen Programming 

From improving academic performance to fostering connections with peers to shaping the leaders of tomorrow, the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s teen programs are dedicated to empowering youth to become the best versions of themselves. Explore our programs, partnerships, and upcoming events. 

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