Community Development YMCA
Office Hours
| Mon - Fri: | 8:30 am - 5 pm |
| Sat - Sun: | Closed |
Office Hours
| Mon - Fri | 8:30 am - 5 pm |
| Sat - Sun | Closed |
Empowering Communities, Strengthening Futures
At the Community Development YMCA, our goal is to ensure that all people graduate high school ready for the next step in their lives through academic, mental wellness, and civic engagement programming and resources.
We are a nontraditional YMCA location without a gym, pool, or facility, but run our programming out of several Ys throughout the Greater St. Louis region.
Our Programs
📚 Academic Programs
The upper elementary and middle school years are crucial for youth as they begin to make decisions about their skills, interests, and future. Exposure to challenging content, role models, and supportive environments influences their course choices, effort in assignments, and learning expectations. The Y’s academic programs help youth develop basic skills and engage in enrichment activities that inspire their imagination.
🫶 Mental Wellness
Mental health is a vital part of everyone’s overall health. Yet, mental health often doesn’t get the same attention as physical well-being. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience mental illness in their lifetime. At the Gateway Region Y, we partner with individuals and families to help prioritize and care for this important part of our well-being.
⚖️ Civic Engagement
Almost half of teens that drop out of high school state that they found their classes irrelevant. Engaging in civics helps teens make a direct connection between the community issues they care about and the research, public speaking, and math skills they are learning. Teens use these skills now and in the future to support our government and neighborhoods. Only 1 out of every 3 high school seniors is proficient in civic knowledge.
Caroline Mitchell
Executive Director
caroline.mitchell@gwrymca.org
Rachel Eikmann
Senior Program Director
rachel.eikmann@gwrymca.org
Jacob Henderson
Director of Civic Engagement
jacob.henderson@gwrymca.org
Earlisha Jefferson
Youth Wellness Director
earlisha.jefferson@gwrymca.org
Michelle Peeler
Community Literacy Program Director
michelle.peeler@gwrymca.org
Mantra Williams
STEAM Program Director
mantra.williams@gwrymca.org
Matt Thompson
District Vice President
matt.thompson@gwrymca.org
Our Impact Last Year
youth completed STEAM programs
teens experienced Youth & Government
students received 4,945 hours of reading instruction
individuals took part in Starting the Conversation
Explore More Ways to Get Involved
Volunteer at the Y
Volunteers are essential to the Y's cause and to our future as a vital not-for-profit committed to developing community beyond our walls. Opportunities include Tutors, Board of Advisors, etc.
Donate to the Y
With your ongoing support, we will continue to reach out to those who need us most by allowing access to programs and activities for all.