YMCA of
Southeast Missouri

Mission

Our Mission:

"To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy body, mind, & spirit for all"

Our Purpose:

"We build strong kids, strong families, and a strong community"

History:

The YMCA is a worldwide organization with a history of serving communities for over 150 years. The YMCA of Southeast Missouri was established in 1995 and opened its first facility in 1998. The current facility was opened in 2009.

Past History

  • 1993 - Sikeston Community leaders meet with representives from YMCA of Greater St. Louis to discuss possibility of YMCA in Sikeston.
  • January 1994 - YMCA Board of Directors founded. Board begins Founders Campaign to provide start up funds for YMCA.
  • October 1994 - Founders Campaign exceeds goal of $200,000.
  • March 1995 - Jeff Parridge is hired as first Executive Director.
  • June 1995 - YMCA starts its first program, Summer Day Camp.
  • September 1995 - YMCA recieves charter from National YMCA.
  • October 1996 - YMCA Board purchases land from city of Sikeston for the development of YMCA facility. The board begins $400,000 capital campaign to renovate former middle school gym and contract additional program space.
  • February 1997 - Renovation and construction on YMCA facility begins.
  • March 1998 - YMCA facility opens.
  • November 1998 - YMCA membership reaches 1000. YMCA raises $27,000 in first Annual Campaign.
  • June 1999 - Day Camp enrollment reaches 70 kids per day.
  • November 1999 - YMCA Board of Directors approves YMCA Strategic plan for 2000-2004.
  • April 2000 - YMCA enters into contract with the city of Sikeston to manage the Sikeston Jaycee Pool.
  • July 2000 - YMCA recieves grant to operate Day Camp in Sunset neighborhood. Over 40 kids attend daily.
  • September 2000 - Sikeston JayceeYouth Center opens. Youth Center funded through $50,000 gift form Sikeston Jaycees.
  • December 2000 - YMCA Annual Campaign raises over $50,000. Board President Richard Montgomery donates additional $32,000 for capital improvements.
  • November 2001 - YMCA Board Members Robert MacGillivray and John Rowland along with Executive Director Jeff Partridge attend Capital Development Workshop sponsored by the YMCA of the USA.
  • December 2001 - YMCA Board of Directors vote to begin Capital Development Program to expand current facilities.
  • June 2002 - Board approves revisions to YMCA Strategic Plan.
  • November 2002 - YMCA raises $62,000 in annual Partnership With Youth Campaign. Food Giant, Sikeston Jaycees and Americare Provide Corporate Sponsorship.
  • June 2003 - Day Camp enrollment exceeds 100 per week.
  • February 2004 - YMCA announces plans to for facility expansion and enters into a long term lease agreement with City of Sikeston for current pool property
  • July 2004 - Chris Hodgkiss rejoins YMCA Staff as Program Director
    YMCA provides swimming instruction and water safety to 291 youth.
  • February 2005 - Market Study is conducted by Balducci & Associates of Tampa, Florida for the YMCA to test the future facility and program plans. Results are presented to Board of Directors.
  • September 2005 - Development Study is conducted by American City Bureau for the YMCA to test capital fundraising capability of proposed facility plans. Results are presented to the Board of Directors.
    Board of Directors votes to begin Capital Campaign to expand current facility. Board of Directors contracts with American City Bureau as fund raising counsel.
  • January 2006 - Richard Montgomery and Jim Hux agree to co-chair YMCA Growing Our Future Capital Campaign.
  • May 2006 - YMCA announces facility design plans to the public.
  • May 2006 - YMCA is chosen as the 2006 Sikeston Civic Group of the Year by the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • June 2006 - Kenny Stone hired as Health & Fitness Director.
  • October 2006 - YMCA receives $900,000 challenge grant from Mabee Foundation for the Growing Our Future Campaign. Campaign is announced publicly having raised $3.6 million.
  • November 2006 - YMCA announces $500,000 gifts fromMontgomery Bank and the Sikeston Jaycees for the Growing Our Future Campaign.
  • September 2007 - June Barton makes a $2 million gift to the YMCA Growing Our Future Campaign in the name of her late husband David M. Barton. The new YMCA facility will be named in his memory.YMCA exceeds $6.5 million goal for the Growing Our Future Campaign by raising $7.8 million. Mabee Foundation challenge grant is met.
  • October 2007 - YMCA selects Keifner Brothers as General Contractor for the new YMCA facility.
  • November 2007 - Ground Breaking ceremony takes place and construction begins on new facility.
  • March 2008 - YMCA purchases the Bailey school property from Sikeston Public Schools. YMCA now owns the entire city block.
  • July 2008 - YMCA receives a $100,000 Basic Support Grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health to be used toward fitness equipment in the new facility.
  • December 2008 - YMCA adds three full time staff positions. Brandy Mason is hired as Member Service Director, Brett Blackman as Aquatic Director and Bob McCord as Property Director.
  • February 2009 - YMCA opens new facility which includes indoor pool, fitness center, indoor walking track and gymnasium. Renovation also begins on existing facility.
  • June 2009 - Renovation for the original existing facility completed. Keenan Youth & Family Gym opens.
  • June 2010 - YMCA expands Summer Day Camp program by offering program at both Tanner Street Church of God and First United Methodist Church
  • August 2010 - YMCA hires Eric Chappell as new Aquatic Director
  • December 2010 - YMCA hires Cassandra Limbaugh as Child Care Director
  • January 2011 - YMCA and Sikeston Public Schools collaborate to expand YMCA After School program from one to six school sites.
  • 2012 -YMCA contracts with Daxko to upgrade Operations and Accounting Software
  • 2013 -YMCA completes member and program participant impact measurement study with Seer Analytics.
  • 2013 -Board of Directors approves new Strategic Plan
  • 2014 -Board of Directors establishes Endowment Committee. Richard Montgomery agrees to serve as Chairman of the Committee
  • 2014 -YMCA completes new YUSA Branding requirements including new exterior building signage
  • 2014 -Bob McCord retires and Dennis Hilkenkamp is hired as new Property Director
  • 2015 -YMCA upgrades fitness center with new floor
  • 2015 -YMCA receives $180,000 grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health to fund initiative to assist infant mortality and at risk pregnancies for low income mothers.
  • 2015 -Brandy Mason is promoted to the position of Membership and Program Experience Director
  • 2015 -YMCA annual Partners Campaign raises $122,000
  • 2016 -YMCA begins work with Praesidium to improve Child Abuse prevention policies and procedures.
  • 2016 -Board of Directors establishes Board Governance Committee to improve overall effectiveness of the Board.
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