In Her Opinion

The Santa Monica Family YMCA

Laurie Cohn Rosenthal
Mirror contrbuting writer

   At the ceremony commemorating the grand opening of the remodeled and expanded Santa Monica Family YMCA I really felt as though I was in a small town. Strollers mingled with wheelchairs at the festive affair, which also celebrated our neighborhood YMCA’s 100th birthday. I didn’t know what to expect as Michael, Dylan, and I walked in. Noisy and crowded come to mind, but noisy and crowded in a good way, the way that people in a community come together for special events. Yes, the celebration, which also featured a ribbon cutting, was Santa Monica at its multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-economic best.
   Little kids attended, but were far outnumbered by the elderly, enthusiastic users of the Santa Monica Family YMCA. Local dignitaries were there, including Fire Chief Ettore Berardinelli, Chief of Police James T. Butts, Jr., Councilmember Herb Katz, and Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown. Speeches were brief, and those that couldn’t find a seat happily stood on the new sparkling-clean basketball court. Dylan slept through his first grand opening, applause and all, while Michael roamed about, taking pictures (see page 10). I looked around, smiling at the homey atmosphere of it all.
   There’s something solid about the Santa Monica Family YMCA. Fancy gyms will come and go, exorbitant fees with them, but you know the Y will always be here. There are no pretensions at the Y, and roly-poly members are as welcome as their slender counterparts, unlike some gyms, where I think you have to be svelte to join. I highly doubt trendy clubs offer financial assistance to community members. It’s certainly nice having a place, right in downtown Santa Monica, where young and old residents feel equally at home. It’s a real melting pot, in the true sense of the term.
   If you haven’t done so, it’s well worth your time to check out what the Santa Monica Family YMCA has to offer. The class schedule is vast and includes something for everyone. As we toured the facility, little girls splashed happily in the pool. I decided then and there that’s where I want Dylan to learn how to swim when the time is right. In addition to swimming, other activities for little ones include Judo, Jujitsu, crafts, sports, and camping. Adults can partake of swimming, yoga, tai chi, pre-natal and post-partum classes, dancing, CPR, and aerobics, to name a few. There are also classes which cater to the special needs of the older adults in our community.
   A few Santa Monica Family YMCA facts, taken from their give-away booklet.
   • The Y’s first offices were at 4th St. and Santa Monica Boulevard.
   • In 1946 the property at 1332 6th St. was purchased for $50,500.
   • The Y’s Men’s Breakfast Club was instrumental in bringing Bingo to the Y.
   • In 1998 Linda Schuster became the first woman Board President.
   Mission Statement:
   “The Santa Monica Family YMCA is dedicated to serving its members by providing programs and services that enrich the quality of the physical, mental, spiritual and social lives of individual members, their families and communities. In all we do, we will be guided by principles of love and respect for all regardless of race, sex, or religious preference. We pledge to continue our Family “Y” tradition of service to the Santa Monica Community.”
   A Mission Statement defines an organization, and the Santa Monica Family YMCA’s mission statement shows its love of all people. Perhaps their true commitment and dedication to serving everyone in the community is why they are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year and will surely be around for another 100 years. Take a moment of your time and go visit the Santa Monica Family YMCA. You’ll be happy you did.