Building a strong community takes vision. It takes strategy. Cooperation. But more than that, it takes unwavering commitment. Commitment to values. Commitment to people. Commitment to neighborhoods.

In the YMCA of Central Florida, Dr. Phillips Charities found a partner who shares our commitment to making the Central Florida community a better place to live.  Through our support of the YMCA, we have been able to leverage our grant dollars positively impacting children and families through a variety of projects and programs.

Established in 1885, the YMCA of Central Florida is one of the largest nonprofit community organizations in our region. With 27 Family Centers in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Brevard and Marion Counties, the YMCA annually provides more than $8.5 million in financial assistance, membership and program subsidies to over 30,000 kids, teens, adults and seniors in need.

The YMCA maintains its mission to improve lives of all in Central Florida through additional offsite facilities and programs, including 14 middle school sites, 24 elementary school sites, 16 outreach programs and four Teen Achievers centers.

Together, we work toward a Central Florida where no child ever drowns. Our groundbreaking partnership established Safe Start, an infant swimming program that has taught nearly 10,000 infants and toddlers water survival skills, potentially saving countless children's lives.

The YMCA strives to create a Central Florida community where each day thousands of kids gather after school at a YMCA Teen Center to play games, do homework, participate in YMCA programs, or just hang out in a safe environment.

The YMCA believes: strong families make strong communities.  The YMCA believes in the importance of positive role models, encouraging meaningful volunteer involvement, promoting a strong work ethic in challenged neighborhoods, helping those who are willing to help themselves, and investing their resources in programs and facilities that will produce long-term, sustainable returns to the communities they serve.

Through our partnership with the Central Florida YMCA, friends and neighbors have become healthier, more compassionate, more connected. Children have learned to survive in the water, to shoot a jump shot, to pitch a tent, to appreciate character-building values.

Parents have learned to give back to their community, to enjoy time with their kids, to take time for themselves . . . and to be better parents. Older adults have had the opportunity to socialize with others, to build support networks, to maintain their flexibility, their health and their dignity.

Since 1985, when Dr. Phillips Charities provided land and leadership to bring a YMCA to the Dr. Phillips community, millions of dollars have been invested by Dr. Phillips Charities in the YMCA of Central Florida's facilities and programs.

The return on our investment? Lives changed, communities brought together, and families strengthened.

Here are important YMCA projects we've supported:

• 1985 - Lease for $1 per year on 20 acres of land (Value In-Kind from 1986 to date $5,774,700)

• 1985 - Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Facility ($325,000)

• 1990 - Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Gymnasium, Wellness, & Entry ($400,000)

• 1990 - Downtown Orlando YMCA Youth Center refurbishment ($25,000)

• 1991 - West Orange YMCA (now Roper YMCA) Fitnasium ($200,000)

• 1992 - Gift to purchase Robinswood property in Pine Hills for youth swim programs ($115,000)

• 1996 - Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Soccer Fields ($125,000)

• 2000 - Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Teen Center, Second Gym, Wellness & Child Development ($1,250,000)

• 2001 - Safe Start Infant Swimming Program ($1,200,000)

• 2002 - Osceola County YMCA Teen Center & Fields ($323,000)

• 2004 - Roper YMCA Family Center Gym, Wellness Area ($1,000,000)

• 2005 - South Orlando YMCA Family Center Renovation ($1,500,000)

• 2006 - Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Entry, Gathering Area, Group Exercise Studio ($591,000)

• 2007 - Wayne Densch YMCA Family Center Wellness, Teaching Pool, Locker Rooms ($1,500,000)

• 2008 - Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Teaching Pool ($1,170,000)

• 2009 - Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Wellness Expansion, Spin Studio, Locker Rooms, Child Development ($2,927,000)