About Y Victoria

Y Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers programs and services at more than 150 locations across Victoria, including:

As a community not-for-profit organisation, all we receive is put back into improving our programs and services and into supporting local communities through programs such as YMCA Open Doors.

Our mission and vision

Inspiring and empowering young people and communities to thrive.

At the Y, we want to create a better tomorrow where all people can belong. We achieve this by delivering impact across four key pillars:

Meaningful Work

Every person has the right to learn, engage in meaningful work and build sustainable livelihoods.

Community Wellbeing

Every person has the means to grow and thrive as individuals and in community. 

Sustainable Planet

A world where we live in full harmony with nature.

Just World

Justice, peace, equity and human rights for all.

Our impact

We're achieving our mission of inspiring and empowering young people and communities through our various programs and services.  

Supporting young people to create a better tomorrow

Young people are using their agency and shaping their future through our Youth Parliament program. Youth Parliament has succeeded in getting over 30 bills passed into state legislation in Victoria – which is a fantastic example of young people's voices having an impact, making real change in society and supporting our goal of creating a just world for all.

Growing and thriving as individuals and in community

Y Victoria manages multiple recreation and aquatic centres across Victoria to support community wellbeing. Everyone is welcome to use our gyms, pools and stadiums to keep fit and stay connected.

We also created Virtual Y during the Covid-19 pandemic. This online hub has a variety of exclusive fitness, nutrition, wellbeing, family and youth content so people can look after their wellbeing wherever they are.

Empowering individuals through education and employment

We believe everyone has the right to learn, engage in meaningful work and build sustainable livelihoods.

The YMCA Bridge Project supports, trains and mentors young offenders, supporting young people like Cam to cultivate a meaningful life with education, training and stable employment with external organisations or with YMCA ReBuild

We also provide training and development opportunities through the Youth Press Gallery, which gives young people the chance to gain valuable experience in the media industry. We also run a Student Leadership Day to help students in years five to nine build their personal and social skills.

Embracing the natural world

Here at Y Victoria, we want to create a world where we live in full harmony with nature.

Our camps encourage schools, community groups and families to step outdoors and connect with a variety of natural environments – whether that’s skiing in the mountains, bushwalking or surfing at the beach.

Our programs for children also focus on sustainability. At our early learning centres for example, children have the opportunity to learn about nature, sustainability and the actions we can take to look after the environment and ourselves.

Our history

The Y is a not-for-profit organisation that has been working with young people and serving the Victorian community since 1853.

The first YMCA was founded in London, England in 1844. Over the years, YMCA movements spread through the United Kingdom before expanding to Europe, America and Oceania.

The Y works in partnership with YMCA Australia and the wider Y movement.

Annual report

Every year, the Y release an annual report, showcasing what we've achieved that year. Featuring messages from our leaders, stories from the Y, our impact as well our our financials. Take a look at more stories from the Y and learn more about our impact.

Explore our annual report

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