2025

From the Road: Miles That Matter October Update

Mark Metz and Noreen Edwards, shown here crossing into Illinois, have already biked 2,900 of 4,100 miles for the McGaw YMCA Men’s Residence and its upcoming renovations. (Photo credit: Miles that Matter blog)

Mark Metz and Noreen Edwards, shown here crossing into Illinois, have already biked 2,900 of 4,100 miles for the McGaw YMCA Men’s Residence and its upcoming renovations. (Photo credit: Miles that Matter blog) McGaw YMCA Board Chair Mark Metz and his wife, Noreen Edwards, are over halfway through their cross-country bike ride to support the YMCA Men’s Residence housing program and its upcoming renovation. Mark and Noreen set off on August 24, from Florence, Oregon, for a 4,100-mile, self-supported ride along the TransAmerica Trail and have already biked 3,000 miles! Over the past month, they’ve climbed the Ozarks’ steep hills, watched the leaves turn brilliant fall colors, connected with fellow cyclists, and enjoyed local communities along the way. Along the journey, they’ve rested, attended a wedding, maintained their bikes, and even welcomed the newest member of their family! The Ozarks offered countless hills, and together they climbed nearly 3,800 feet […]

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Work at Camp Echo This Summer

Make this summer one you’ll never forget—join the incredible team at McGaw YMCA’s Camp Echo in Fremont, Michigan! We’re looking for passionate, energetic young adults who want to spend their summer building community, developing leadership skills, and creating life-changing experiences for campers. Whether you want to work directly with campers as a counselor, share your talents as a program specialist in areas like water sports or horseback riding, or support camp behind the scenes, there’s a role for you on the Camp Echo team. You’ll leave with professional skills, lifelong friendships, and the satisfaction of knowing you made an impact that lasts far beyond the summer. High school juniors: Limited Junior Staff (J-Staff) positions are also available—perfect for gaining experience, learning from mentors, and stepping into leadership! View the listing of job openings here. Application Consideration Priority Dates for Summer 2026 December 1: Unit Leaders, Lead Cooks, Food Service Operations

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McGaw YMCA Launches 140th Anniversary Celebration

EVANSTON, IL. – The McGaw YMCA proudly announces the launch of its 140th Anniversary Celebration, a year-long series of events and initiatives honoring more than a century of service and community impact in Evanston. Since its founding on November 17, 1885, the Evanston YMCA—now the McGaw YMCA—has served generations of Evanstonians with mission-driven programs that nurture spirit, mind, and body. As part of the YMCA of the USA, which will celebrate 175 years in 2026, McGaw Y has carried forward the national mission while evolving to meet local needs from its first home at Jennings Hall on Davis Street to its current location at 1000 Grove Street. In the early 20th century, the Evanston YMCA founded Camp Echo (1924) and several neighborhood branches, including the Emerson Street Branch—a cherished hub for Black Evanstonians until 1967, when the YMCA of the USA ended segregated branches nationwide. These branches provided opportunities for

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