05/30/2026
Pennsylvania’s YMCAs to Host State Advocacy Day on June 2!
No Place Like This Place: Celebrating 175 Years Strengthening American
HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs will bring YMCA leaders, staff, volunteers, and youth advocates from across the Commonwealth to the Capitol on June 2, 2026, for its annual State Advocacy Day. Advocates will celebrate the Y’s statewide impact and promote top policy priorities including child care and food security programs.
This year’s Advocacy Day carries special significance as the YMCA of the USA celebrates its 175th anniversary. For nearly two centuries, the Y has been a place where meaningful connections help to build stronger American communities. With locations in more than 10,000 neighborhoods nationwide, and 54 associations and 120 locations in Pennsylvania, local YMCAs are part of everyday life, helping people work toward their goals, build relationships, and discover a true sense of belonging.
During meetings with legislators and administration officials, YMCA advocates will focus on three statewide priorities:
Expanding Access to Child Care:
Pennsylvania faces a severe shortage of affordable, highquality childcare. YMCAs operate hundreds of early learning, preschool, and outofschooltime programs, but many families remain on waiting lists because of staffing shortages, rising costs, and limited capacity. PSAYS is calling for sustained investment in the childcare workforce, regulatory reforms, and funding to keep programs accessible for working families.
Strengthening Food Security Programs:
YMCAs across the Commonwealth operate year‑round food distribution programs, summer meal sites, and community nutrition initiatives that serve tens of thousands of children and adults. With food insecurity rising in many regions, PSAYS is urging policymakers to expand support for nutrition assistance and community‑based hunger prevention efforts.
Celebrating 175 Years:
YMCA leaders invite elected officials to help mark the YMCA’s 175 th anniversary with state resolutions and special events, but more critically to understand the positive impact that the Y has had for generations in their own communities.
“Throughout 175 years, the YMCA has profoundly impacted the lives of countless men, women, and children of all ages. Strong communities are built through partnership, investment, and a shared commitment to a welcoming spirit,” said Nathan Brant, CEO of the Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs. “Advocacy Day is our chance to lift up the voices of families, staff, and young people who rely on the Y every day.”
The Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs represents 54 independent YMCA associations serving communities in all 67 counties. Together, Pennsylvania’s YMCAs provide child care, health and wellness programs, food security initiatives, youth development opportunities, and community‑strengthening services to more than one million Pennsylvanians each year.
