November 18, 2024
The YMCA of Rock River Valley is excited to announce the opening of its newest branch – the Good Shepherd YMCA, following nine months of construction. Formerly the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, the new YMCA branch is located at 1829 North Rockton Avenue in Rockford, directly across the street from West Middle School.
The 24,000-square-foot facility features a fully equipped fitness center, an exercise studio, and a multi-purpose gymnasium. A dedicated youth program center also includes an art studio, tech room, lounge area, cafeteria and game space, providing a comprehensive environment for youth engagement and development. The $3.7 million project would not be possible without the support of our lead donors Rick and Lana Engen, and numerous partners including Former U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, State Senator Steve Stadelman, State Representative Maurice West, Mayor Tom McNamara and the Rockford City Council, the Winnebago County Mental Health Board, and numerous donors who will be listed on the donor wall inside the Good Shepherd Y.
“Our new Good Shepherd YMCA is more than just a facility; it’s a community hub where families can come together to learn, grow, and stay active,” said Becca Homb, Executive Director, Good Shepherd YMCA. “We are committed to empowering young people to reach their full potential, improving individual and community well-being, and inspiring action through social responsibility. This space will allow us to enhance our impact in these critical areas and serve our community even better.”
The Good Shepherd YMCA renovation is part of the first phase of a $15-$20 million capital campaign to elevate our YMCA association. Schmeling Construction and Hagney Architects have been valuable partners to help the Y transform a church into a YMCA.
“Opening this branch, in a building that was donated to us by the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, is a commitment to the community,” said Michelle Gorham, CFRE, Chief Advancement Officer. “Many private donors, government bodies and officials, and corporations have made this work possible and I am grateful that they have shared in our vision for this branch.”
Going forward, there are more projects to complete to better serve our entire community and we ask the community to support our capital campaign as we continue to expand access to Y programs throughout our community. Click here (insert link to capital campaign page) to make a contribution or to learn more about the campaign, contact Michelle Gorham, CFRE, Chief Advancement Officer at 779-500-0810 or mgorham@rockriverymca.org.
Click here to learn more about the Good Shepherd YMCA.
