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About Us

The YMCA has been working in local communities across Australia since 1851 and in Brisbane, Queensland from 1864, providing children services, recreation, camping, youth services and community initiatives, events, training and accommodation.

The humble beginnings of the Y started a long way from home. The YMCA was founded in 1844 in London, England with a focus on the welfare of young men to gain renewed strength in body, mind and spirit.

Today, we are a vibrant, active community organisation, seeking to make a positive difference by providing each and every person with the opportunity to be healthy, happy and connected.

In Brisbane and Queensland, we provide a wide range of services tailored to the needs of the communities we serve. These services include, but are not limited to, youth programs, child care & early education, fitness & recreation, outdoor education & camping, vocational education & accredited training.

The services we provide help fund the benevolent arm of our organisation (which officially operates as Y-Care (South East Queensland) Inc).

That means your participation at the Y helps to support our Schools' Breakfast Program, Cancer Survivor Program, Community Centres, Youth Mentoring and more.

We Believe In The Power Of Inspired Young People

Our Foundations

We are influenced by a global mission to provide opportunities for all to grow in body, mind and spirit.

Our Focus

We focus on the healthy living, empowerment and social impact of young people and the community.

Our Core Values

  • Honesty
  • Caring
  • Respect
  • Responsibility

YMCA Becomes The Y

After more than 155 years’ operating in Brisbane, YMCA Brisbane is proud to announce a rebrand to the Y Brisbane, as part of a national brand and logo refresh - the first in Australia in 52 years.

YMCA, an abbreviation of Young Men's Christian Association, is the largest and oldest youth organisation in the world, with a reach of 58 million people globally. However, the movement has evolved to represent much more than only 'men' and 'Christianity'. We are an organisation that supports everyone, regardless of age, gender, religion, sexuality or difference.

The rebrand from 'YMCA' to 'the Y' reflects a longstanding focus of celebrating and supporting diversity within all communities. The fresh new logo was developed by a young designer working with a collective of the Y brand leads across Australia. It pays tribute to the brand's heritage by retaining the triangle element of the Y's "Body Mind Spirit" Mission.

Foundational Mission

The YMCA of Brisbane was founded in 1864 embracing the following Mission:

We work together from a base of Christian values to provide opportunities for all people to grow in body, mind and spirit.

We value:

  • The whole person, consisting of a body, a mind and a spirit each of which is of equal importance
  • The dignity and intrinsic worth of all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, belief or other difference
  • Diversity of people, communities and nations
  • Equality of opportunity and justice for all people
  • Healthy communities based on relationships between people which are characterised by love, understanding and mutual respect
  • Acceptance of personal responsibility