The Knox County YMCA is a 501c3 charitable nonprofit organization whose mission is to utilize Christian principles to instill character development. We believe is the four core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and practice these values in our daily lives.

The Knox County YMCA was founded in Galesburg in 1866; fifteen short years after Thomas Sullivan founded the first YMCA in the United States (Boston, Mass). Since its inception, the YMCA has been providing recreation programming for the mind, body, and spirit.

The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.  Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children-regardless of age, income or background-to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunites to give back and support neighbors.  Anchorded in more than 10,000 communites, the Y has the long standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.