1 Ymca Jobs Hiring in Onalaska, WI

The La Crosse Area Family YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. We work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to...
Job Description
THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE LA CROSSE AREA FAMILY YMCA
The Board seeks a relationship-driven, community-minded leader who will build on the YMCA's strong foundation while guiding its next phase of growth and impact. The ideal candidate will be highly engaged in the community, skilled at building trust with staff, board members, donors, and partners, and serve as a visible and effective ambassador for the organization.
This leader will combine strategic vision with strong execution, advancing priorities such as facility modernization, community partnerships, and long-term sustainability. Financial skills, fundraising ability, and the capacity to clearly communicate the YMCA's impact are essential.
Equally important is a commitment to strengthening the YMCA's culture by developing staff, fostering a welcoming Y, and maintaining high expectations. The CEO will work collaboratively with the Board and staff at all levels, emphasizing transparency, teamwork, and accountability, with a particular focus on board governance best practices.
The next CEO will also embrace the YMCA's broader role in advancing community health and social impact, demonstrating a clear commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community both within and beyond the walls of the Y.
Our Mission
The La Crosse Area Family YMCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching our community by promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being for all.
CORE VALUES
Caring
Show a sincere concern for others
Honesty
Be truthful in what you say or do
Respect
Treat people the way they want to be treated
Responsibility
Be accountable for your promises and action
OUR MISSION IN ACTION
Strengthening the foundations of our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Welcoming Statement:
The La Crosse Area Family Y values individuals from all backgrounds working together to strengthen our community. Guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, we strive to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and respected, and where all have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
ABOUT THE LA CROSSE AREA FAMILY YMCA
The La Crosse Area Family YMCA has been a cornerstone of the community since 1883, serving as a trusted place where people of all ages come together to improve their health, build relationships, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Today, the YMCA engages more than 35,000 individuals annually and serves approximately one in four residents across the La Crosse region. Our Y has a strong commitment to addressing social isolation.
At its core, the YMCA operates as a leading community wellness hub. Across its two full-service branches-the Dahl Family YMCA and the R.W. Houser Family YMCA-the organization welcomes nearly 3,000 visits each day. These facilities are more than wellness centers; they are vibrant gathering places where individuals connect, families grow, and community is built.
A Leader in Health and Well-Being
The YMCA plays a central role in advancing physical, mental, and social health throughout the region. With more than 6,900 group fitness classes offered annually and over 141,000 participants, the Y provides consistent opportunities for individuals to stay active and connected. Aquatics programming is another cornerstone, with more than 13,800 hours of pool availability and over 4,400 swim lesson sessions each year-promoting both health and water safety in a river-based community.
The YMCA also prioritizes healthy aging and social connection, serving nearly 3,900 senior members who rely on the Y to remain active, engaged, and connected to others.
Strengthening Youth and Families
Youth development is a defining strength of the YMCA. Each year, more than 12,000 youth program registrations reflect a wide range of opportunities-from sports and gymnastics to arts, camps, and educational programming.
The Y is also one of the region's largest childcare providers, supporting hundreds of families through early childhood education, before- and after-school care at 15 sites, and summer day camp programs. In total, nearly 1,900 children are served annually in environments designed to help them learn, grow, and thrive.
The Community Youth Center further extends this impact by providing a safe, welcoming space for teens-offering mentorship, meals, transportation, and essential resources during critical out-of-school hours.
Expanding Impact Beyond the Walls
The YMCA's reach extends far beyond its facilities through a deep commitment to social responsibility. Its Food Access Program delivered more than 466,000 meals and snacks in 2025, addressing food insecurity across both urban and rural communities.
Additional initiatives, including the Mobile Market Food Pantry and Community Health Worker program, support individuals and families facing barriers related to transportation, housing, healthcare, and basic needs. Programs such as Wellness Warriors for veterans, cancer survivorship initiatives, and chronic disease prevention efforts further position the YMCA as a comprehensive community health partner.
A Place Where Community Happens
What distinguishes the La Crosse Area Family YMCA is not just the scale of its programs, but the role it plays in building social capital. Every day, individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences come together in a welcoming environment where relationships are formed and strengthened.
Through strong partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations, the YMCA continues to evolve to meet emerging needs-while remaining grounded in its mission to strengthen the foundations of community.
Key Areas of Impact
The YMCA is a leading provider of community-based health and wellness, offering:

• 400,000+ annual wellness center visits
• 150+ group fitness classes each week
• Robust aquatics programming with 160,000+ annual visits
• Integrated health partnerships with Emplify Health, including the Healthy Living Center at the Dahl YMCA and a physical therapy clinic at the Houser YMCA
• A growing Food Access Program delivering more than 466,000 meals annually
• A Mobile Market Food Pantry serving individuals facing access barriers
• Community Health Worker initiatives supporting families experiencing homelessness
• The Community Youth Center, providing a safe, supportive environment for teens

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY
Located along the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin, the La Crosse-Onalaska region offers a unique blend of natural beauty, strong community values, and economic vitality. Serving a population of approximately 130,000-140,000 residents, the area is known for its high quality of life, excellent healthcare, and abundant access to outdoor recreation.
La Crosse is home to several higher education institutions, including the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University, and Western Technical College, contributing to a vibrant, educated, and engaged community. The region is further strengthened by leading healthcare systems (Emplify Health and Mayo) and a diverse economic base that provides stability and opportunity.
Onalaska, located just north of La Crosse, is one of the fastest-growing communities in the region. It offers a strong family-oriented environment, excellent schools, expanding residential development, and a thriving retail corridor.
Together, La Crosse and Onalaska provide an exceptional setting for both professional and personal life-featuring scenic bluffs, rivers, trails, and year-round outdoor activities, along with a welcoming and connected community.
While the region offers many strengths, it also faces important challenges, including increasing mental health concerns and social isolation, rising rates of chronic disease, food insecurity affecting approximately 16% of residents, and economic pressures on working families.
The YMCA plays a vital role in addressing these challenges-serving as a trusted, inclusive space where individuals of all ages and backgrounds can improve their health, build relationships, and access essential resources.
Current Key Strategic Initiatives:
The La Crosse Area Family YMCA is a strong, mission-driven organization with a solid foundation and clear opportunities for future growth. Key strengths include a highly engaged and talented staff team at all levels, committed board members and trustees, and a culture that values accountability, adaptability, and innovation. The Y benefits from strong community partnerships, accessible programs, quality facilities, and a demonstrated ability to respond to changing community needs. Opportunities for growth-including facility expansion and strategic use of donated land-position the organization well for the future.
The YMCA's strategic direction is guided by a disciplined decision-making framework that ensures new initiatives align with mission, community need, financial sustainability, and organizational capacity.
Looking ahead, the YMCA is focused on five core strategic priorities:

• Fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members, staff, and the broader community
• Strengthening engagement and financial sustainability through deeper relationships with members, donors, and partners
• Expanding community impact beyond facility walls, particularly through outreach and food access initiatives
• Advancing capital development and growth, including modernization of the Dahl YMCA and exploration of regional expansion opportunities
• Driving continuous improvement and safety, using data-informed decision-making and strong operational practices

Membership: Total Number of Members: Approximately 24,000 across both of our branches.
Branch Information:

• The Dahl Family YMCA, 1140 Main Street in La Crosse. Opened in 1969 with additions in 1974, 2006, 2015 and 2022, with schematic design plans completed for a pending capital campaign. The facility is approximately 145,000 square feet and includes a gym, pool, food pantry, gymnastics center, Healthy Living Center (in partnership with Emplify Health), program spaces, recently renovated locker rooms, and more. The facility sits on the edge of downtown La Crosse.
• The R.W. Houser Family YMCA, 400 Mason Street in Onalaska. Opened in 2006, with additions in 2015 and 2022. The facility includes a FT childcare center, large family pool, a warm water pool, two gyms, a gymnastics center, and a wellness center, a Physical Therapy clinic operated by Emplify Health, three locker rooms, a Miracle Baseball field, and a full service café/coffee shop. The facility is approximately 130,000 square feet.
• The Community Youth Center. The Youth Center is a 6,000 square foot facility, homey in nature that sits on the campus of the Dahl Family YMCA. It was constructed in 2015. The Center offers a supportive environment where young individuals can experience a sense of belonging, positively influencing their mental well-being.

Core Programs:
The La Crosse Area Family YMCA delivers its mission through three primary program areas-Healthy Living, Youth Development, and Social Responsibility, each supported by a broad portfolio of programs and services that meet critical community needs.
Healthy Living
The YMCA is a leading provider of health and wellness services, offering:

• Wellness Centers & Group Fitness: 150+ weekly classes and over 6,900 annually, serving more than 141,000 participants
• Aquatics: Three indoor pools supporting lap swim, water fitness, open swim, and more than 4,400 annual swim lesson sessions
• Chronic Disease & Recovery Programs: LIVESTRONG and YOUTHSTRONG cancer survivorship programs, Diabetes Prevention Program, and integrated health initiatives
• Senior Wellness: FOREVERWELL® programming and engagement opportunities serving nearly 3,900 active older adults
• Healthcare Integration: Partnerships with Emplify Health providing physical therapy, behavioral health, and wellness services within YMCA facilities

Youth Development
The YMCA is one of the region's largest providers of youth programming and childcare, offering:

• Licensed Childcare: Early childhood center, before- and after-school care at 15 sites, and summer day camps serving nearly 1,900 children annually
• Youth Programs: 12,000+ annual registrations across sports, gymnastics, dance, martial arts, STEM, and enrichment programs
• Aquatics & Safety: Swim lessons, competitive swim team, and lifeguard certification programs
• Inclusion Programming: Adaptive and inclusive programs ensuring access for youth of all abilities
  Community Youth Center: A free, drop-in center for teens providing meals, mentorship, transportation, and life-skill development

Social Responsibility
The YMCA extends its impact beyond its facilities through a wide range of community-based initiatives, including:

• Food Access Programs: Delivering more than 466,000 meals annually through after-school meals, summer feeding sites, and a Mobile Market Food Pantry serving 900+ individuals monthly
• Community Health Workers: Supporting families experiencing homelessness with housing, employment, healthcare, and basic needs
• Outreach & Mobile Programming: Y on the Fly and other initiatives bringing programs and resources directly into neighborhoods