A Founders Story Washington County Family YMCA

Featuring Chad Brough

Twenty five years ago, before there was a building or even a permanent home, the Washington County Family YMCA began with a simple but powerful belief people matter most. Reflecting on those early days, Founding Board member Chad Brough shared, “The YMCA is one of my proudest contributions of community service in my life.”

At the time, neighboring communities already had YMCAs, and nationally, the YMCA was celebrating its 100th anniversary. There was strong momentum behind expanding the movement, and local leaders leaned into the opportunity with vision and discipline. With guidance from the National YMCA, the Founding Board committed to raising three years of operating expenses before opening, ensuring the YMCA would be built on strong community support from the very beginning. 

Just as importantly, the focus was intentional. “From the beginning, the focus was on people and programs, not just a building,” Chad recalled. Rather than starting with bricks and mortar, the YMCA launched with programming that demonstrated its value to families and youth.

The very first YMCA program was a 5K race celebrating the national YMCA’s centennial. At the time, there was no YMCA facility and no confirmed location. Yet the race route ran along North Harrison Street, unknowingly tracing the future home of the YMCA. What felt like a simple community event became a symbolic starting point for something far greater.

Soon after, the YMCA introduced youth soccer, a sport that had never been played in Washington County. Games began at the fairgrounds, and over time, that first season grew into more than two decades of youth soccer programming. Generations of children learned teamwork, confidence, and healthy habits through a program that started with a bold but simple idea.

As momentum grew, the YMCA leased space in Westminster Plaza and began offering fitness memberships. Through strong leadership and careful planning, the YMCA built the support needed for its first capital campaign. Partnerships flourished, and collaboration became a defining characteristic of the Y’s approach. “The YMCA shows what’s possible when a community works together,” Chad shared.

Those partnerships eventually led to the YMCA’s permanent home on North Harrison Street, developed alongside the Washington County Senior Center and supported by the Washington County Community Foundation. Throughout planning, the Board made deliberate choices to ensure long term sustainability. “We wanted to create something sustainable, something that would still be serving families decades later,” Chad said.

Today, as the Washington County Family YMCA celebrates 25 years, that vision is clearly fulfilled. Thousands of lives have been touched through youth programs, wellness opportunities, and community partnerships. Families are stronger. Individuals are healthier. Connections are deeper.

The YMCA remains more than a place to work out, it is a place of belonging. As Chad reflected, “When you join the YMCA, you’re joining something bigger than yourself.” And even now, years later, the pride remains strong. “Every time I’m in Salem, I make it a point to visit the YMCA.”