The Heritage YMCA Group got its start just 18 years after Thomas Sullivan founded the first YMCA in the USA in 1851 in Boston, Massachusetts. Our rich heritage includes the histories of both the Aurora Family YMCA and the Naperville Area YMCA, two pioneering Ys that celebrated their consolidation on January 8, 2000.

Aurora Family YMCA

In 1869, a group of Aurora leaders met to establish a free Christian reading room "to guard the young men from the evil influences that surround them in our city." By early 1871, land had been donated, funds had been raised, and a building had been constructed on the north side of Fox Street. This was the first YMCA in Illinois - and the fifth in the world - to build its own home.

For many years, the reading room was the YMCA's primary function. However, in 1888 a gym and training equipment were added to strengthen men's bodies, as well as their minds and spirits. Exercise was a new concept in personal development, and membership in the Y began to grow quickly. By 1900, talk of expansion began.

A successful building campaign followed, and the YMCA broke ground for a new structure in October 1907. The new Y, located at the corner of East Downer Place (Fox Street) and LaSalle Street, offered facilities to men and boys never before found in Aurora. The new gym was large - 40 x 80 feet - with modern equipment and a running track above it on the balcony level. The Y included the first big indoor pool in Aurora, as well as a billiard room, three bowling alleys, a large lecture room, a Bible study club room, a camera club room with an adjoining darkroom, and dormitory rooms for young men.

In addition to its facilities, the YMCA sponsored a mile swim in the Fox River annually, a very successful learn-to-swim program, and tennis, racquetball, and volleyball tournaments.

By 1950, facilities were once again crowded, and plans for the Aurora Family Center's current facility began. The building was dedicated on May 18, 1958. The bright new plant included resident rooms, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a smaller teaching pool, a huge gymnasium, and three handball courts. One, a glass court, was the scene of the televised 1958 World Championship matches. In the 1970s, a competitive pool was added, and the Y hosted a number of local and state competitive swim meets.

Unfortunately, by the late 1980s, the facility had fallen into disrepair and membership had begun to decline. To prevent the YMCA from closing its doors, in 1993 a group of community leaders formed the "Save the Y" team. Through their efforts, major financial gifts were made by to the Y, and significant debts were forgiven. A year later, the city of Aurora provided a grant to enable three social service agencies to move into the YMCA facility, and a social service mall was created in the building. Later grants allowed the Y to upgrade facilities and rehab the vacant residence floors into affordable senior apartments. Partnerships with other community organizations, governmental agencies, and Aurora University became part of the Y's efforts to serve the community. By the end of the decade, the Aurora Family YMCA and the Naperville Area YMCA were seriously studying the benefits of a consolidation of the two organizations.

The Naperville Area YMCA

Naperville's YMCA was born from a series of revival meetings held near Valentine's Day in 1909. Wishing to take advantage of the new wave of local spiritual enthusiasm, a local pastor traveled to Chicago to confer with area YMCA officials. "Naperville is too small for a Y," he was told. ". . . Experience has shown us they won't work in a community of that size." But the Y sent someone to the community to talk, and the idea took hold. By June 22, a 15-day fund-raising drive was held, raising a total of $26,260. The following Memorial Day, the cornerstone was laid, and on March 26, 1911, the formal dedication of a three-story brick building took place. It was the smallest community YMCA in the nation.

It soon also was among the first in the nation to admit women. On November 13, 1911, following arduous debate, it was decided to allow ladies and girls to use the YMCA 1 ½ hours per week. One year later, women were given further use of the local YMCA.

The organization assumed a role of community involvement, filling unmet needs for area residents. Then, when the Depression hit, membership declined. Later, the Naperville YMCA contributed to the war effort by making its facilities available to the American Red Cross.

After World War II, Naperville ceased being a small isolated community and began to grow. In 1948, funds were raised to complete badly needed renovation of the existing Y. By 1960, the community had grown to 12,000 people, and the Y had expanded its community service. And in 1970, more than 100 of Naperville's citizens met to help the board set long-range goals and objectives. Expansion of facilities, quality programming, and financing were the major issues. A year later, the Y fundraised nearly one-half million dollars for a $786,000 addition. A second addition was built and opened in 1978.

During the 1980s, membership doubled and created the need for additional staffing and programs. One venture included the development of Naperville's first cardiac rehabilitation program, in conjunction with a local physician and Edward Hospital.

An emerging need in the community, created by a growing work force, was the supervision and safety of children after school. The Y-PM Program was developed in cooperation with the Naperville United Way. This program, now called Safe 'n Sound.

Increased collaboration with the park district provided the community with several camps, and youth sports became a focal point in the '80s with the establishment of flag football, T-ball, and the Youth Basketball Program, currently the largest YMCA basketball program in the state of Illinois.

Eventually it was decided that it was time to expand throughout Naperville. A land search led to a purchase of 6.2 acres just west of Book Road. Several local organizations and local citizens helped to purchase the land. On September 19, 1994, ground was broken for the 40,000 square foot 95^th Street Family Center. An additional 8,700 square feet was added to the facility four years later.

Even further expansion took place with the addition of Tamarack Pool and Tennis Club, as well as the Child Development Center. This center soon developed the Safe 'n Sound program, a program providing before- and after-school care needs in all District 203 and 204 elementary schools. The program is currently expanding to District 129 elementary schools as well.

Heritage YMCA Group

Talk of combining the Aurora and Naperville YMCAs began in 1998. On January 8, 2000, volunteers, staff, and friends of both Aurora and Naperville came together to celebrate the consolidated organization now named the Heritage YMCA Group. Mayors of both cities led families and children in dancing the "YMCA."

At the end of 2000, the Heritage YMCA Group dedicated the YMCA Field House in southwest Naperville. With five basketball/volleyball courts and a 1/6-mile indoor track, the facility quickly became the focus of youth sports and adult leagues. In June of 2001, the Heritage YMCA Group opened its first facility in Oswego - the Oswego YMCA at Mason Square.  In the Fall of 2002 the Aurora Family YMCA completed and opened the doors to a licensed all day Early Education and Child Care Center serving children 2 - 6 years old.

2003 marked some significant changes in the leadership of the Heritage YMCA Group.  Mid-year the Executive Directors of both the Kroehler Family YMCA and the Aurora Family YMCA moved on to new opportunities.  These positions were filled via internal promotions and transfers and the hiring of a new Executive Director for the 95th St. Family YMCA.  In October, the  CEO retired and was replaced by a Board member as the Interim CEO.  In December, the COO position was eliminated.

In July, 2004 Tom Beerntsen began his tenure as the President/CEO.  Tom came to the Heritage YMCA Group after selling his family chocolate business.  In addition to his experience of more than 20 years running a family business he had significant YMCA experience both as a staff member right after graduation from George Williams College and as an active volunteer to the YMCA culminating in his service for two years as the chairman of the National Board for the YMCA of the USA.

In September, 2005 the 95th St. branch celebrated its 10th anniversary.  At that time the branch was renamed the Fry Family YMCA to recognize and honor the Fry Family for all of their support to the YMCA for many years.

Remembering its humble beginnings, the Heritage YMCA Group now has boundaries that extend beyond the Fox River, enabling expansion to under-served areas. Dedicated to its mission "To enhance the quality of life for families through programs reflecting Christian principles to build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all," the Heritage YMCA Group continues to serve people throughout several communities.