Welcome to the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA, a vital part of the historic Bed Stuy neighborhood in Brooklyn. We offer state-of-the-art exercise equipment, group fitness classes, programs for kids and families, and a community committed to helping you achieve your goals.

Leadership Staff


Sonia Atherly   
Executive Director   
satherly@ymcanyc.org


 

Aneesah Abdullah   
Afterschool Director   
anabdullah@ymcanyc.org  


 

Jason Burgos   
Property Director    
jburgos@ymcanyc.org


 

Troy Calhoun   
Youth and Family Director   
tcalhoun@ymcanyc.org


 

Caitlin Hackett   
Aquatics Coordinator   
chackett@ymcanyc.org


 

Jonathan Person   
Membership Director   
jperson@ymcanyc.org


 

William Robinson-Locke   
Healthy Lifestyles Director   
wlocke@ymcanyc.org


 

Alonso Smith  
Teen Coordinator  
asmith@ycmanyc.org

Board of Managers


Alisa Payne 

Ben Grossman 

Chima D. Nwankwo, M.D. 

Derrick Hostler 

Earl Dean Silas 

Farrah Desir 

Juan C. Perez

Julian Dash 

Lisa Varlack

Olurotimi Akinnuoye 

Shaun Smith


 

 

History

The Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA was founded in 1888, with its first home located at 420 Gates Avenue. At the time, the Bed Stuy community was one of the fastest-growing in Brooklyn, and the facility soon outgrew its space. Construction on the new branch building, located on the corner of Bedford Avenue and Monroe Street, began in 1901 and was completed in 1905. This multi-story brick building featured state-of-the-art facilities including: gymnasium, swimming pool, auditorium, classrooms, and traditional rooms for rent. In 1919 an annex was built to expand the branch's trade school teaching programs, with auto repair, aviation, and other growing trades being taught. These programs became a major part of the Bed Stuy Y's offerings through the 1970s.

In 1976 the branch discontinued all adult programs due to a decline in membership, but undertook a major renovation to house an alcoholic treatment center funded by the City's Health and Hospitals Corporation and Model Cities. In 1991 the branch revived its youth program, and in 2007 the branch underwent a major renovation and expansion of the existing 41,000 square-foot facility. 

In 2009, the Bedford-Stuyvesant Y was the first branch to receive the YMCA of Greater New York's Janice Reals Ellig Transformational Leadership Award. This distinction, awarded during the YMCA of Greater New York's annual General Assembly, is only occasionally bestowed upon YMCA branches that have successfully achieved a positive, sustainable outcome that contributes in a major way to the Y's vision for New York City.