Welcome to Mission Moment, a series from CEO Amy Vendt where she highlights moments from around the Bath Area Family YMCA that exemplify our association’s commitment to our mission of promoting the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
As we enter 2026 and prepare to celebrate 170 years of serving our community, alongside Y-USA’s 175th anniversary, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has brought us to where we are today.
Our story began on May 30, 1856, in the vestry of Central Church in Bath, now known as the Chocolate Church. In those early days, the Bath Young Men’s Christian Association gathered for Bible study, lectures, debates, and essay readings. Meetings were held in churches throughout the city, united by a shared purpose: to build character, strengthen community, and support one another.
As Bath grew, so did the Y. In 1894, thanks to the generosity of Galen Moses, then president of the Association, the YMCA moved into its first dedicated building on Summer Street. Over the decades, the Y became a hub of activity – home to basketball games, roller skating, bowling, volleyball, social and service clubs, and even a hotel. A swimming pool was added in 1962, followed by a larger gym and fitness space in 1973.
In 2001, the Bath Area Family YMCA moved to its current home on Centre Street. Through every move, renovation, and expansion, one thing has remained constant: the people. Our members, volunteers, donors, and staff are the reason the Y has endured for 170 years. You are the ones who have shaped the Y into what it is today: an integral part of this community.
While our programs and services have evolved – from essay readings to basketball games, from prayer meetings to child care, from Bible study to yoga, from religious exercises to aquatic fitness – our mission has not. Then, as now, the Y exists to provide a safe, welcoming place where youth can grow, families can thrive, and everyone belongs, regardless of their ability to pay.
That commitment continues to guide us forward. In 2016, we expanded our reach with the opening of the Landing YMCA in Brunswick, allowing us to better serve our wider network of communities. In the fall of 2025, we opened the Brunswick Early Learning Center, adding 10 new childcare classrooms and expanding care to include infants, meeting a critical need for working families in our region.
And when our community faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, the Y stepped up. Through our Veggie Van, we distributed more than 88,000 pounds of food to families and children connected to our programs, because serving community means showing up when it matters most.
Though change is inevitable, one thing will always remain the same: the Y’s unwavering commitment to strengthening our community. For 170 years, we have been building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities – and together, I know we will continue to do so for generations to come.
Thank you for being part of our Y story.
Warm regards,
Amy Vendt
Chief Executive Officer