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 […]

EVANSTON, IL. – The McGaw YMCA is turning 140, and the community is invited to celebrate at the Y140 Party on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 7:00–10:00 PM in the McGaw YMCA Sebring-Lewis Center. Presented by Northwestern University, this 21+ fundraising event blends the sophistication and style of past McGaw Y Galas with the energy and nostalgia of its iconic Y Parties for the ultimate “night in the Town” experience. Guests can expect music, dancing, familiar faces, local food and drinks, and plenty of opportunities to support McGaw YMCA’s mission. “The Y140 Party is both a celebration of the YMCA’s 140-year legacy in Evanston and a tribute to the generations of neighbors who have shaped our Y into what it is today,” said Monique Parsons, President/CEO of McGaw YMCA. “This milestone belongs to our community, and we are excited to celebrate with you as we write the next chapter of