The J. Douglas Williams YMCA is inviting local teens ages 12–18 to get involved, make connections, and make a difference through its Teen Leaders Club. Designed to give teens a place to connect, have fun, and develop leadership skills, Teen Leaders Club provides opportunities for young people to participate in community service, volunteer activities, guest speaker sessions, games, leadership activities, and more. Teens can also participate in volunteer and community service opportunities that allow them
Exciting news is making waves at the J. Douglas Williams YMCA! A new pool heater is coming to the YMCA, making it possible for members and guests to enjoy the pool during the cooler months. The J. Douglas Williams YMCA is thrilled to once again offer popular aquatics programs when temperatures drop, including lap swim, swim team, and water aerobics. To complete the installation of the new pool heater, the pool will need to be temporarily closed. The YMCA appreciates the patience and understanding of
DOES YOUR GYM KNOW YOUR NAME? AT THE J. DOUGLAS WILLIAMS YMCA, MARY DOES! Mary Hancock Receives YMCA of Central Florida President’s Leadership Award After 27 Years of Making the J. Douglas Williams YMCA Feel Like Family At the J. Douglas Williams YMCA, everybody knows your name. For 27 years, Mary Hancock has made sure of it — creating a place where members are not simply a number, but a person with a story, a connection and a place in the YMCA family. The YMCA of Central Florida recently honored
J. Douglas Williams YMCA Proud to Serve as Summer Break Spot Meal Site in Partnership with Red Apple Dining and Seminole County Public Schools The J. Douglas Williams YMCA is proud to serve as an official Summer Break Spot meal site in partnership with Red Apple Dining and Seminole County Public Schools, helping ensure local children and teens have access to healthy meals throughout the summer months. Seminole County Public Schools' Red Apple Dining will continue its collaboration with the Summer Break
On March 23rd, the Second Annual J. Douglas Williams YMCA Golf Classic brought together community leaders, businesses, and supporters for a memorable day at Heathrow Country Club. With beautiful weather, great camaraderie, and a shared commitment to strengthening the community, the event proved both enjoyable and impactful—raising an impressive $48,000! These funds go directly towards our scholarship program so ALL families in our community have the opportunity to participate in summer camp, swim
The J. Douglas Williams YMCA is excited to offer its Developmental Swim Team, the perfect next step for young swimmers ready to grow beyond swim lessons in a structured, supportive environment. Designed for ages 6–17, this program focuses on building technique, endurance, confidence, and friendships—without the pressure of competitive swimming. Led by experienced coaches, swimmers participate in engaging, coach-led practices that emphasize skill development and teamwork. Athletes will strengthen their
The J. Douglas Williams YMCA is inviting young athletes to dive into a summer of growth, discipline, and competition with its USA Competitive Swim Team. Designed for swimmers ages 6–17 who are ready to train with purpose, this program offers the opportunity to compete in USA Swimming-sanctioned meets while building lifelong skills in and out of the water. Swimmers will refine stroke mechanics across all four competitive strokes—butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke, and freestyle—while improving endurance
The J. Douglas Williams YMCA is proud to announce its Second Annual J. Douglas Williams YMCA Golf Classic, taking place Monday, March 23, at Heathrow Country Club. This premier community event brings together local businesses, community leaders, and supporters for a day of golf with a powerful purpose—raising funds to support vital YMCA programs that strengthen our community. Thanks to the generosity of our Chamber partners and local businesses, the YMCA raised more than $80,000 at last year’s tournament
WHY PLAY IS IMPORTANT:Play is fundamentally important for children's development- fostering cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth. Through play, children learning about the world around them, develop essential skills, and build a foundation for future learning and relationships. 10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play 1. Play provides endless opportunities for children to hear and explore the power of their voice, and practice using new and familiar sounds and words. 2. Play
I was blessed to conduct a Lunch & Learn with the fabulous and community-minded leaders of the J. Douglas Williams YMCA Family Center located in Lake Mary/Longwood! Location: 665 Longwood Lake Mary Rd, Lake Mary, FL 32746 The custom-designed topic, titled: Frogs, Focus & Fundraising: A YMCA Mindset Reset, focused on these 5 areas: Turn "frogs" into fuelBreak habits, not recordsMindset is moneySave time, Save the YKey strategies to get resultsThe program turned out great, but let's hear directly from some of
The J. Douglas Williams YMCA hosted its annual Fall Festival this past Saturday, bringing together families, community partners, and Chamber members for a morning full of fun and connection. Despite a last-minute pivot indoors due to inclement weather, the event drew an impressive 544 participants and was filled with laughter, creativity, and community spirit. The indoor setup provided an engaging and family-friendly environment that allowed guests to visit vendors, enjoy treats, and participate in