The Greater Valley YMCA is committed to changing lives across our community. At each of our six separate but united branches, we teach the values of living healthy lifestyles, strengthen the family unit and help youngsters and adults feel good about themselves, developing in them a sense of dignity and self-worth. We serve the entire community, from the young child just learning to swim to the active older adult seeking the social, recreational, and physical activities the Y offers. Community members are served regardless of age, race, sex, religious affiliation, or ability to pay. Membership fees are reasonable and several payment options are provided, as are sponsorships.
For over 100 years, the YMCAs within the Greater Valley Y association have made tangible differences in the communities of Bethlehem, Catasauqua, Easton, Forks, Nazareth, those comprising the Slate Belt region and the Lehigh Valley as a whole. Founded as individual YMCAs as early as 1900, the following branches of the Greater Valley Y merged together under the Nazareth YMCA name between the years 2010 and 2013: the Nazareth YMCA, the Suburban North YMCA and the YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity. The Slate Belt branch was chartered in 2010; construction began spring of 2013 with an anticipated ribbon cutting in 2014. At the beginning of 2014, the YMCA Pre K Counts program was relocated, joining the early childhood education programs in the Forks YMCA Early Education Center. The Bethlehem YMCA association is currently in a management agreement and in the process of merging permanently by 2016. A name change for the corporate entity from the Nazareth YMCA to the Greater Valley YMCA was approved in 2013 by both Y USA and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Branches will maintain their individual names and identities. For more information on the Greater Valley YMCA please contact Lyndsey Frigm at 610-759-3440.