The YMCA arrived in California with the Gold Rush and the California
State YMCA Committee supported many start-up Associations over the
next five decades, including those in Orange County. In the 1880s,
Santa Ana businessmen founded the first local YMCA to provide programs
for youth to build “…a strong body, a clear mind, and an
upright moral character.” Many well-known organizations trace
their roots to the YMCA and Orange County. The Boy Scouts and Campfire
Girls were fostered locally by the YMCA, and Toastmasters was founded
in 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley, Director of the Santa Ana YMCA. During
World War II, the Santa Ana YMCA gymnasium was used by Santa Ana College
and the USO. For years, the swimming pool served not only YMCA members
but also the YWCA, the Crippled Children's Relief Association, and
youth from Juvenile Hall. In 2003, plans got underway to renovate the
Newport/Costa Mesa YMCA (COC and the Fullerton YMCA (NOC). Currently
in 2004 a fifth full facility is being planned for Armstrong Ranch
in Santa Ana, with land generously donated by the Segerstrom Family.
Today, the YMCA of Orange County is an association of people
of all ages, incomes, faiths, abilities, and ethnic backgrounds.
Everyone can feel comfortable and everyone belongs.
The YMCA of Orange County operates from 4 full fitness facilities,
4 community branches, and 70 program centers. In 2003, Orange
County YMCAs raised
$1 million to provide scholarships and
other services for those who could not otherwise afford to
participate. The YMCA’s impact in Orange County is
significant.
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1887 24 Active Members started a
YMCA in Santa Ana. |
1907 The Orange County YMCA officially
formed. Programs included Camp Wilson on Catalina Island,
Bible Study and Literary Societies |
1921 Arch Raitt (Bonnie’s Raitt’s
grandfather) was hired as the first General Secretary
for the North Orange County YMCA in Fullerton.
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1924 Santa Ana YMCA education director
Ralph Smedley created Toastmasters as a YMCA program. |
1925 Opening ceremonies were held
for the new Santa Ana YMCA, which cost $309,000 and included
a 94 room dorm, a gym, a pool and meeting rooms. |
1966 An Indian Guide program was
started in Mission Viejo. |
1967 The Orange Coast
YMCA moved to its present site in Newport Beach now called
Central Orange Coast. |
1972 Yorba Linda/Placentia YMCA joined
the YMCA of Orange County. |
1985 The South Coast YMCA moved to
its current location in Laguna Niguel. |
1994 Orange County YMCA’s added “fairness” and “citizenship” to
the 4 Pillars used in the Character Counts program. |
1994 The Marguerite Center in Mission
Viejo came under YMCA Management as the Saddleback Valley
YMCA. |
1995 Capistrano Beach Cities YMCA
joined the YMCA of Orange County. |
2003 West County Family YMCA made
plans to move to new offices due to expansion. |
2004 Plans include renovating the
Central Orange Coast YMCA, the North Orange County YMCA
and a capital campaign to build a new YMCA in Santa Ana. |
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