Our Mission
The Corporation, following a 150-year-old tradition of Christian service to persons of all ages, ethnic groups, and religious affiliations seeks to provide a wide range of physical, intellectual, and social programs which will improve the quality of life for individuals and families who desire to reach their full potential in a wholesome friendly environment.
The Germantown Life Enrichment Center (located in the nationally-recognized Historic Young Men's Christian Association building) offers a great place to increase good health, have fun and meet new friends. We provide a variety of programs for everybody and every level of fitness. GLEC provides a diverse offering of cultural programming and events for the
enrichment of our members and community.
For more than 150 years, the Germantown Life Enrichment Center has helped members improve their health and well being while building a stronger sense of community.The Germantown Life Enrichment Center is a membership organization open to all people. We welcome women and men, girls and boys of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientation, abilities, ancestry, national origin (including limited english proficiency) and financial circumstances. The Germantown Life Enrichment Center embraces diversity, reflecting the needs and composition of the communities we serve.
History
Our organization has a proud history. Founded in 1871 as the Young Men's Christian Association of Germantown it became part of the YMCA of the USA in the early 20th Century. Germantown, incorporating all of Northwest Philadelphia on the north side of the Wissahickon Valley, was separate from the rest of the city until 1854, and the Germantown organization is separate from the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity.
In 2009, our organization became no longer affiliated with the Young Men's Christian Association of the USA, and, subsequently, we adopted the name Germantown Y. In January 2012, our organization changed its name to the Germantown Life Enrichment Center.
Our name now beautifully reflects our service to men and women, young and old, Christian and non-Christian, enriching all lives both physically and spiritually. We are not merely a fitness center; we are the heart of a community, "an historic interfaith association for culture and fitness."
Our building, erected in 1922, is on the National Register of Historic Places
