Community Development YMCA

Community Development YMCA Y Literacy UNLOCKS THE POWER OF LITERACY through four programs. We also have a Learning Lab at Cool Valley Elementary School sponsored by Express Scripts.

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. Youth Programs:

YRead Unlocks the Power of Literacy by...
Providing free one-on-one tutoring to school-age children who are a grade level or more behind in their reading skills. The Y

Read program matches school-age students who are struggling in reading with volunteer tutors. Tutors and students meet twice a week in local libraries for a year to foster a love of reading and improve skills. Learning Labs Unlock the Power of Literacy by...
Providing small group reading and math instruction. The Learning Labs provide small group instruction for students who need help improving their reading or math skills. Learning Labs are located at the Emerson Family YMCA, the Monsanto Family YMCA and the Carondelet Park Rec Complex. Students enrolled in the Learning Labs attend regularly scheduled sessions twice a week during after school hours for an hour each session. Adult Programs:

The Literacy Council Unlocks the Power of Literacy by...
Providing free one-on-one tutoring to adults needing to improve their reading skills. Tutors and students meet at local libraries once a week for 1.5 hours. Students and tutors invest one year in the program so they can work together as the student meets his/her personal goals. Beginning Babies with Books Unlocks the Power of Literacy by...
Empowering parents to become their child’s first teacher and best role model for reading. Beginning Babies with Books works with parents to develop at home literacy skills by providing parent support and opportunities to receive children's books.

05/09/2026

Meet Mindy, one of the YMCA’s Community Literacy volunteer tutors! 💙

It’s moments like the one she shares that show exactly why tutoring matters. What starts as a small win can turn into something much bigger... like helping grandchildren with homework, gaining independence, or reaching long-term goals.

That’s what tutoring at the Y is all about!

📚 Just 1 hour a week can help change someone’s story. Sign up as a tutor today at: https://bit.ly/49gc4GQ

Every learner’s journey looks different and that’s what makes tutoring through our YMCA's Community Literacy program so ...
05/05/2026

Every learner’s journey looks different and that’s what makes tutoring through our YMCA's Community Literacy program so impactful. 📚

Whether it’s helping someone feel more confident speaking or improving reading skills each week, YMCA volunteer tutors meet learners where they are and make a real difference every day!

Have you had a teacher or mentor that made a difference in your life? Shout them out in the comments below! 👇

🔗 Become a tutor today (just 1 hour a week makes a huge difference): https://bit.ly/4n8HMLU

Calling all high school Sophomores in the St. Louis region! YMCA Junior Leadership is more than team building exercises ...
05/02/2026

Calling all high school Sophomores in the St. Louis region! YMCA Junior Leadership is more than team building exercises and field trips… When you’re a part of this program you’ll be making friends, building connections, and growing as a leader.

Over nine months, with other teens across the region, participants will learn how to be an informed, civically-engaged leader and explore non-profit & public sectors of St. Louis!

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 31, interested teens can apply at 🔗 https://bit.ly/4crZWES

04/28/2026

What starts as just 1 hour a week can turn into something so much more!

From building confidence to forming real connections, tutoring through the Community Development YMCA's Community Literacy program is about helping someone grow, and sometimes even growing right with them. Hear from two of our volunteer tutors on their experience! 📚🫶

No experience is needed, plus we provide all training (and you can tutor virtually)! Sign up today and make an impact at: https://bit.ly/4vXVTaM

Thanks for following along this week in learning about the Gateway Region YMCA's global efforts and international partne...
04/26/2026

Thanks for following along this week in learning about the Gateway Region YMCA's global efforts and international partners for this ! The Y is proud to be a welcoming place that fosters community engagement and bridge-building. Our community is full of individuals from different cultures and backgrounds, and we seek to meet the needs of all! 🫶🌎

The Y offers many programs serving our foreign-born community, including:
— English language learning classes
— Financial assistance for Y membership and programming
— Discounted soccer and swim lesson programming at many Ys in the area

Learn more about our global relations and community engagement initiatives: https://bit.ly/41PdEvd

Our final international partner spotlight for is YMCA Brazil! 🇧🇷 An incredibly diverse organization, YMCA Brazil runs ...
04/25/2026

Our final international partner spotlight for is YMCA Brazil! 🇧🇷 An incredibly diverse organization, YMCA Brazil runs sports and camp programming, early childhood and school age educational support, technical courses in nursing and radiology, a plastics processing plant, and operates an ecumenical cemetery. The Gateway Region YMCA partners with YMCA Brazil through international teen and staff trips. Our partners often host our international teen trips, and have sent several young adults to YMCA Camp Lakewood to join the team of camp counselors!

It's and the Gateway Region YMCA has partnered with YMCA Ukraine 🇺🇦 for 25 years. Our commitment remains strong as the...
04/24/2026

It's and the Gateway Region YMCA has partnered with YMCA Ukraine 🇺🇦 for 25 years. Our commitment remains strong as the Ukraine Y shifts their focus from short-term emergency response to long-term recovery. YMCA Ukraine continues to meet the most urgent needs of their community, including vocational training and mental health support for refugees and internally displaced people, and the development of young people in the middle of ongoing crisis.

YMCA Ukraine is directly supported by the Gateway Region YMCA through our YMCA World Service Campaign. When you give to World Service, you are funding programs that truly make a global difference. Consider donating today: https://bit.ly/4e8mQlX

Applications for the Gateway Region YMCA's 2026-2027 cohort of Junior Leadership are now open! 🎉Junior Leadership is an ...
04/24/2026

Applications for the Gateway Region YMCA's 2026-2027 cohort of Junior Leadership are now open! 🎉

Junior Leadership is an experience-driven leadership program for rising high school Juniors. During this nine month program, participants are introduced to various social service organizations, develop 21st-century leadership skills, and apply their learning through a service project.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 31, so get yours in early to secure your spot! You can apply at 🔗 https://bit.ly/4mN7KEL

Only 40% of public K–3rd grade students are reading at grade level in our nearby communities. That means thousands of ki...
04/23/2026

Only 40% of public K–3rd grade students are reading at grade level in our nearby communities. That means thousands of kids are falling behind before they even reach middle school. But with the right support, students can gain 2+ grade levels in just one year through the YMCA’s Community Literacy program! 📚🌟

Help us close that gap and sign up as a volunteer tutor with the Y today: https://bit.ly/3OCFM1K
✔ Just 1–2 hours a week
✔ Flexible scheduling (virtual!)
✔ Training provided

Teen exchange trips to our YMCA's global partners are a major initiative of the Y’s international work. This year, 8 loc...
04/23/2026

Teen exchange trips to our YMCA's global partners are a major initiative of the Y’s international work. This year, 8 local teens will visit our partners in Belize! During this trip, local Y teens will meet new friends, experience the culture and history of their host country, and participate in activities like kite making and learning Belizean Creole. After returning, our teens will have a chance to host their new friends as the Belizean youth travel to St. Louis!

International teen trips are directly funded by the Gateway Region YMCA through our YMCA World Service Campaign. When you give to World Service, you help make it possible for any teen, regardless of their situation, to experience international travel. Consider donating today: https://bit.ly/4cAw87D

Our next international partner spotlight for is YMCA Belize! 🇧🇿 A partner for the last 28 years, our colleagues in the...
04/22/2026

Our next international partner spotlight for is YMCA Belize! 🇧🇿 A partner for the last 28 years, our colleagues in the small, vibrant Central American country have hosted many St. Louis teens on international trips, and will again this year (check back in tomorrow for more details)! YMCA Belize serves the children and families of Belize City with programs supporting academics, character and leadership building, and belonging. Activities range from homework assistance, remedial math, literacy and information technology to sports, field trips, cultural days and birthday celebrations.

YMCA South Africa 🇿🇦 has been a partner of the Gateway Region Y for the last 18 years. With a rich history dating back to 1865, the Y of South Africa remains an organization dedicated to youth development, social justice, and holistic growth. Youth programs focused on education, employment, sports and recreation, arts, and supporting youth in the juvenile justice system reach over 20,000 youth each year in 12 YMCAs across four regions of the country.

YMCA Belize and YMCA South Africa are directly supported by the Gateway Region YMCA through our YMCA World Service Campaign. When you give to World Service, you are funding programs that truly make a global difference. Consider donating today: https://bit.ly/3OPGsRo

Address

2815 Scott Avenue
St. Louis, MO
63111

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+13147767102

Website

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