A LOCAL HISTORY OVERVIEW
The YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester was formed as a corporate entity in 1984. At that time, it was made up of five Branch YMCAs: the Port Chester YMCA, Mount Vernon YMCA, White Plains YMCA, Community YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester, and the Putnam Valley YMCA (Camp Combe). Each branch served the unique needs of its local community.
Over time, as community needs evolved, so did our model of service. The YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester has moved away from a traditional branch structure to a more flexible “Y Without Walls” approach—bringing programs directly to schools, neighborhoods, and community spaces throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties.
What remains unchanged is our legacy of perseverance, adaptability, and impact. A common thread in the history of all five branches is the unwavering dedication of volunteers and community members who ensured that their YMCAs continued to operate and respond to local needs.
Below is a brief history of those five Branches.
White Plains
The White Plains YMCA held its first organizational meeting in February 1896, and by 1897 had adopted its first constitution. It was officially incorporated in the State of New York in 1900. Over the next century, the White Plains YMCA occupied several locations and provided a wide range of programs and services to meet the evolving needs of the community. Read More
The first YMCA-owned building in White Plains opened in 1908 at the corner of Mamaroneck and Martine Avenues. It quickly became a vibrant hub of activity and community engagement. Due to its success and growing demand, the building was eventually sold, and a new site was established at 250 Mamaroneck Avenue. Construction began in 1927, and the new facility officially opened its doors in 1928.
As the Y continued to grow, it expanded its presence by acquiring several nearby properties, including 264 and 268 Mamaroneck Avenue, 65 Fischer Avenue, 15 and 17 Greenridge Avenue, and a 30-acre campsite located at 1232 King Street in Greenwich.
In 1948, the Y established a branch at 65 Fischer Avenue to serve the African-American community. This branch was fully integrated into the main facility at 250 Mamaroneck Avenue in 1956.
By the mid-1960s, the White Plains Y was ready for another major transformation. A capital campaign launched in 1967 to expand and renovate the facility evolved into a $4.1 million project. To address a funding shortfall, the Y sold the Greenwich camp for $1.3 million and secured a $2 million mortgage. The renovated building opened in June 1972.
Following the sale of the campsite, the Y secured a loan from AMAX and purchased a 52-acre property in South Salem. Although that site was never developed and later sold, the Y continued to operate programs at the Greenwich location as tenants-at-will until 1998, when the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester purchased the former Camp Madison-Felicia and established the Putnam Valley YMCA (camp Cobme).
The White Plains YMCA building at 250 Mamaroneck Avenue was sold to Southern Land in 2018.
Port Chester YMCA
The Port Chester YMCA got its start in 1884, originally located in the old Centennial Building at 30–32 North Main Street. Four years later, it moved to the Sloat Building, but after just two years, operations paused. In 1916, the Y was revived in the former Port Chester Congregational Church at 225 Westchester Avenue. Soon after, the Y moved into its very first owned building at the southwest corner of Westchester Avenue and North Main Street. Read More
As interest and membership grew, so did the vision. The Port Chester YMCA launched a successful capital campaign, and on March 27, 1955, a brand-new facility opened—its present-day location.
Since the opening of the building, the Village of Rye Brook, once a part of Port Chester, became an independent village. The YMCA thus became the Port Chester/Rye Brook YMCA.
In the early 1980s, the Board began exploring ways to strengthen the Y’s financial and programmatic future. That vision led to a merger with the White Plains YMCA, and on January 1, 1984, the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester was officially formed and incorporated, receiving 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
In 1998, facing significant operational challenges, the Port Chester facility was sold to the Port Chester Carver Center. However, the Y’s commitment to the community remained strong. The YMCA leased back portions of the building to continue vital programs and services.
Mount Vernon YMCA
The Mount Vernon YMCA was officially organized on November 3, 1880, in the Chapel of the Reformed Church. Like many Ys across the country in that era, it began as both a Christian discussion group and a positive gathering place for young men to spend their free time. Read More
In 1889, the Y moved into its first dedicated home on 4th Street, where it hosted meetings, offered sports and fitness classes, and launched adult education programs like language instruction. Despite this strong community presence, financial hardship forced the Y to close its doors in 1904, and the building was sold in 1906.
A decade later, in 1916, the spirit of the Y was reignited. Activities resumed in rented space, and the YMCA quickly regained momentum. During World War I, the Y proudly served those in uniform by operating a special canteen for servicemen home on leave.
Thanks to a successful fundraising effort, the YMCA purchased the former Elks building at 20 South 2nd Avenue and later expanded it to include a gymnasium and pool—further cementing its role as a center of community life in Mount Vernon.
By the early 1980s, the Y faced growing financial challenges. With support from the YMCA of Greater New York, several efforts were made to sustain the branch. Ultimately, the Mount Vernon Board voted to merge with the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester, with the merger taking effect on January 1, 1988.
The Mount Vernon YMCA continued serving the community until its doors officially closed in 2019, leaving behind a rich legacy of service and impact.
Community YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester
In 1996, a dedicated group of volunteers in Somers, NY came together with a vision—to bring the YMCA’s mission and programs to the growing communities of Northern Westchester. Within just three years, their passion and commitment resulted in the launch of a non-facility YMCA, offering childcare programs for 328 children across eight sites, a summer aquatics program, and a program office. All programming took place in borrowed community spaces.Read More
In December 1998, recognizing the success and potential of this grassroots effort, the Board of Governors of the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester officially established the Community YMCA of Northern Westchester as one of its branches.
By 2000, the momentum continued with a $4 million capital campaign launched by local volunteers to build a permanent YMCA facility. Although the traditional branch model has since evolved, the spirit of the Community YMCA lives on.
Today, the Community YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester proudly focuses its efforts on high-quality School Age Child Care. Through enriching before and after school programs, it serves families in eight school districts—meeting the needs of today’s busy families while nurturing the potential of every child.
Putnam Valley YMCA (Camp Combe)
In the summer of 1999, the White Plains YMCA ran its final season of summer camp at its longtime Greenwich site, as the property was purchased by the Brunswick School. But the Y was already preparing for a new chapter. In 1998, the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester acquired an abandoned camp in Putnam Valley—formerly Camp Madison-Felicia, once operated by the Hudson Guild. That December, a $300,000 gift from Combe Incorporated ensured the new site would open the following summer. Read More
In 2000, Camp Combe officially opened its gates—and on October 9th of that year, it was formally recognized as the Putnam Valley YMCA (Camp Combe) Branch by the YMCA of the USA.
Since then, Camp Combe has become a beloved summer home for hundreds of children each year. With programs for ages 4–14, leadership opportunities for teens, and tiered pricing that keeps camp accessible for all, Camp Combe is where kids grow in confidence, build friendships, and create memories that last a lifetime.
Y Without Walls
In 2018, the YMCA of Central and Northern Westchester embraced a “Y Without Walls” model, moving beyond traditional buildings to meet families where they are. Today, we focus on what matters most—youth development—through high-quality early childhood education, school-age care, summer camp, and teen leadership programs across Westchester and Putnam counties.