Before the Civil War, a group of men gathered in Lebanon with the goal of improving their lives to be better role models and community leaders.
The organization disbanded during the war but restarted in 1898 to become what is now known as the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA, located at 201 N 7th Street in Lebanon.
The YMCA’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in the community by “offering programs, services and facilities that promote strong families, good health, fitness, wellness, community services, child and adult development with equality for all,” according to its website.
Their approach is well-rounded and community-oriented, according to the Lebanon YMCA’s CEO Phil Tipton.
“If there’s anything going on in Lebanon, we want to be a part of it,” he said. “If there’s challenges, we want to be a part of the solution.”