Sarah Bolyard
President and CEO,
YMCA of Kanawha Valley
None of this work happens alone. It is made possible through the generosity of donors, volunteers, and community partners across the Kanawha Valley.
At the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side by side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
For more than 115 years locally, the YMCA has been part of the fabric of the Kanawha Valley. While many people know the Y as a place to exercise or swim, our mission reaches much further. We serve as a trusted partner for families, a support system for children, and a resource for individuals seeking connection and belonging.
One of the most significant ways we support our community is through childcare. The YMCA of Kanawha Valley provides care for more than 200 children each day, beginning as early as six weeks old and continuing through age twelve, through programs at the Cross Lanes YMCA Child Development Center and the Charleston Family YMCA. Each day, children learn, play, and grow in nurturing settings designed to help working families succeed. Access to reliable childcare supports workforce participation, strengthens household stability, and helps local employers retain dependable employees. In this way, childcare is not only a vital service for families but also an essential component of economic and workforce development in our community.
Annually, through programs at the Cross Lanes YMCA Child Development Center and the Charleston Family YMCA, the YMCA provides more than 5,000 hours of childcare and serves over 90,000 meals to children and youth in our care. These services do more than meet daily needs. They help ensure children arrive ready to learn, remain connected after school, and continue building strong routines throughout the year while allowing parents to remain active participants in the workforce.
A large portion of the families we serve are from low income or ALICE households, families who are working but still navigating financial challenges. Through community support and partnerships, we are able to keep our programs accessible to all children. This work strengthens families while contributing to a more stable regional workforce and local economy.
Beyond childcare, the YMCA continues to expand programs that support health, safety, and connection across all ages. Through Learn to Swim programs, children gain lifesaving water safety skills and confidence. Tennis for Fun creates opportunities for individuals with exceptionalities to participate in inclusive recreational experiences that build confidence and friendships. Rock Steady Boxing supports individuals living with Parkinson’s disease by improving strength, balance, and quality of life. The YMCA also provides welcoming spaces where cancer thrivers and survivors can connect, build strength, and find encouragement through shared experience.
These programs foster belonging, strengthen resilience, and ensure that people across our community have opportunities to stay active, supported, and connected throughout every stage of life.
None of this work happens alone. It is made possible through the generosity of donors, volunteers, and community partners across the Kanawha Valley. Their support allows us to expand access, reduce financial barriers, and ensure that everyone can participate in YMCA programs.
There truly is no place like the YMCA. It is where infants are cared for while parents return to work, where children find support after school, and where individuals and families find connection and opportunity throughout the seasons of life. We are grateful to walk alongside partners like The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation and thankful for the role you play in helping the YMCA continue to serve as a trusted resource for our community today and for generations to come.
