“THE Place to Be”Ashland YMCA Reaches Historic Membership Milestone

“THE Place to Be”

Ashland YMCA Reaches

Historic Membership Milestone

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

Something special is happening at the Ashland Area YMCA — and you don’t have to look far to see it. All you have do is just drive by!

The parking lot is often full, families are walking in together, seniors are staying active, and kids are filling the courts and program rooms. The reason? The Ashland Area YMCA has officially reached an all-time high in membership, a milestone that leaders say reflects a powerful connection between the organization and the community it serves.

Missy Griffith, Membership and Marketing Director, believes the YMCA’s wide variety of programs has been a key driver behind the growth.

“I believe the leadership we have allows us to think outside the box and bring in as many programs as we possibly can. We literally have something for everyone,” Griffith said.

That philosophy appears to be resonating with families and older adults in particular. “We have been having our main increases in family memberships and our senior population. Families can come here and do things together and our Senior population usually qualifies for Silver Sneakers through their insurance, which gives them a free membership,” Griffith explained.

For many new members, the appeal of the Y goes beyond exercise equipment. “The friendliness of staff, everything we have available to everyone in the family, available 24/7,” Griffith noted.

As participation continues to grow, Griffith said the YMCA is already planning new ways to keep the momentum going.

“We are continuing to bring in more programs, like volleyball leagues this summer and fall basketball league. Our long-term goal is a new youth center to offer more youth programs and more education rooms to be able to expand our childcare program,” Griffith shared.

The real proof of the YMCA’s success, she said, isn’t just on paper — it’s visible every day.

“Sure, the numbers are there. But if you drive by the Y at any given time the parking lot is full. In the past we have had some high numbers, but not really the attendance. Now people are using it daily,” Griffith emphasized.

And for those considering joining, Griffith has a simple message. “Right now, the Y is THE place to be. I guarantee you that you will make new friends, bond with your family through exercise and activities, and join us as we just continue to provide opportunities for the community,” Griffith added.

For Executive Director Scott Campbell, the milestone carries deep meaning. “First, I want to thank GOD for blessing our YMCA and this community. Reaching an all-time high in membership is incredibly meaningful for us. It signals that our community believes in the YMCA and values the role we play in strengthening lives in our community,” Campbell said.

The achievement is particularly powerful considering where the organization stood just a few years ago.

“Just a few short years ago, during COVID, we experienced what was likely an all-time low in membership. It was a time of uncertainty when no one knew what the future would hold, and like many organizations, we felt that impact deeply,” Campbell recalled.

The new record also surpasses a membership peak that occurred a quarter century ago. “What makes this milestone even more significant is that our previous all-time high was 25 years ago, at a time when several large local employers provided corporate memberships that helped drive those numbers. Since then, our community has lost many of those corporations. To now reach a new record without that same corporate base speaks volumes about individual families and community members choosing to invest in the YMCA,” Campbell explained.

For Campbell, the surge reflects something deeper than a gym membership. “This growth shows that people value what the Y represents not just a gym, but a mission-centered organization focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility,” Campbell emphasized.

Campbell said his personal journey with the YMCA goes back decades and has shaped his leadership.

“I believe this growth was part of a bigger plan. I worked here as a young man while attending college, and even then, I felt that God would one day bring me back to do His work here. Before stepping into this role, I sensed clearly that this wasn’t just a job, it was a calling to fully live out the YMCA’s mission in our community. Because of the love I have for Christ, and for my wife and family, I strive every day to be the best father, husband, employee, and leader I can be. We’ve been intentional and strategic, but also faithful to that calling, and in many ways the growth has exceeded expectations,” Campbell shared.

While the YMCA followed a strategic plan, Campbell said faith and mission remained at the center of everything.

“We absolutely had a strategic plan in place, but I also believed from the beginning that God was going to do something historic here if we kept Him at the center of this YMCA. We worked the plan with discipline and focus, but I had confidence we would exceed expectations — because when you stay faithful to your mission and keep God first, extraordinary things can happen,” Campbell stated.

Higher membership, he said, means greater opportunity to serve. “Increased membership strengthens the YMCA’s role in the community because it expands both our impact and our influence. As more families walk through our doors, we’re able to reach deeper into the community with programs that support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Higher membership also strengthens our financial stability, allowing us to reinvest in facilities, scholarships, and new initiatives that meet emerging needs,” Campbell noted.

The growth has also strengthened partnerships across the region. “Since stepping into this role, we’ve also intentionally expanded our community partnerships. Growth has created opportunities to collaborate with schools, local organizations, churches, and businesses in ways that multiply impact. The more engaged members we have, the stronger our network becomes and the more effectively we can serve as a hub for connection, wellness, and support across our community,” Campbell explained.

A combination of upgrades and programming innovations has helped fuel the surge. “It’s really been a combination of many things. Renovations, new workout spaces, and thoughtful programming changes have all contributed to the growth. Max Hunter has been instrumental in developing and enhancing our youth sports programs, including adding volleyball, summer youth basketball leagues, and other new opportunities for kids. Across the board, our program directors have been deeply committed to serving God and fulfilling our mission, and that dedication has made a real difference,” Campbell said.

Community collaboration has also played a major role. “Yes, partnerships have played a major role in our success. We’ve been intentional about strengthening relationships with schools, nonprofits, churches, and local businesses to expand our reach and better serve the community. Marshall Tyson, CEO of the United Way of Northeast Kentucky, has also been a strong partner, collaborating with us to utilize our space for annual food drives, free basketball camps, and other initiatives with more to come. When organizations come together around a shared mission to serve others, the impact is far greater than any one group could achieve alone,” Campbell emphasized.

Looking ahead, the YMCA hopes to continue building on its momentum. “For the next year, our focus is on continuing to strengthen our programming and expanding the ways we reach the community through our services and mission. We want to build on this momentum by enhancing member experience, growing youth and wellness initiatives, and deepening community partnerships,” Campbell said.

Campbell also has a long-term vision for the future. “Long-term, my dream is to build a dedicated youth community center on our property. That space would allow us to expand youth programming, childcare services, community feeding efforts, and host many other impactful events. It would position the YMCA to serve the next generation in an even greater way,” Campbell shared.

For YMCA leaders, the real measure of success goes far beyond membership numbers. “Success isn’t defined by membership numbers alone; it’s defined by lives being changed in a positive way. When a child gains confidence, when a family grows stronger, when someone improves their health or finds community and support that’s success. We are more than a gym, we are family. Membership growth matters, but the real measure is the impact we’re making in people’s lives every single day,” Campbell emphasized.

And with nearly 130 years of history behind it, the organization believes the future is bright. Campbell explained, “Our message to the community is simple, the best is yet to come. Established in Ashland in 1897, the YMCA has been serving this community for nearly 130 years. Throughout that time, we’ve provided not just programs, but jobs, networking opportunities, support systems, and a true sense of family. We are committed to staying rooted in our mission, strengthening our programs, and continuing to serve families with excellence. The YMCA will remain a place where faith, family, and community come together, and we’re just getting started!”