OUR HISTORY
The Westport Weston Family YMCA has been an enduring presence in Westport for nearly a century. This venerable social service institution has served as the nexus of community life since 1923.
For over 95 years the Family YMCA has enriched the entire community by developing and nurturing the potential of its youth, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. The values represented by the Family YMCA today – Caring, Respect, Responsibility and Honesty – are those espoused by Edward T. Bedford, Westport businessman and philanthropist, when he founded the Family YMCA.
OUR COMMUNITY
The Westport Weston Family YMCA is a community service agency dedicated to addressing community needs through quality programs and special events. We provide volunteer opportunities that enrich families and develop youth, build self-esteem and encourage leadership. Our Y provides space and resources to many community groups and hosts a number of community-wide events that are open to all, including Family Fall Festival, Touch-A-Truck and the Indoor Triathlon. For the past 40 years, we have proudly hosted weekly swim, gym and activities for individuals with special needs served by Our Vision.
We aim to have a facility that offers a variety of programs that promote the well-being of our community and beyond. Swim lessons and water safety programs, competitive swimming, school-age child care, adaptive sports, group & community wellness, summer camps, gymnastics, adult sports & rec, community events, are just some of the offerings available.
The Westport Weston Family YMCA greatly values the safety of our members and our children and the trust that their caregivers have in us. Our staff and volunteers work hard to create an environment where our members feel welcome and safe and where our youth members can thrive and safely participate in learning, growing and playing. Below are some of the many measures we follow to create a culture of safety and prevention:
- All staff are given background checks prior to working at the YMCA.
- We follow the rule of 3 to ensure no adult is ever alone with one child.
- Every staff member within the YMCA is trained to prevent abuse as well as to recognize, respond and report abuse. Every staff member in the YMCA is a mandated reporter.
- Our staff are not allowed to babysit or transport children they meet at the YMCA, outside of YMCA or its programs.
More staffing policies can be found in our Employee Code of Conduct
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
Wether you here as a member, visitor, employee or volunteer, the Y is for everyone. Our programs, services and initiatives enable kids to realize their potential, prepare teens for college, offer ways for families to have fun together, empower people to be healthier in spirit, mind and body, prepare people for employment, welcome and embrace newcomers and help foster a nationwide service ethic. And that’s just the beginning.