The YMCA’s rapid response to COVID-19 through digital engagement

Digitizing a heavily brick & mortar fitness and social responsibility brand in the midst of a global pandemic isn’t easy. But did we mention the organization is comprised of 800 different, loosely federated associations spread across the United States? This was the problem facing the YMCA in early 2020.

In this presentation, we will examine how Open Y, LLC built Virtual Y, a comprehensive content platform that allowed YMCAs to provide gated video, live streams, and virtual events content to their members, as well as securely share content with each other.

Using an agile approach to meet the problem head-on, Virtual Y quickly scaled from one association in Pennsylvania to more than 75 across North America within six weeks of launch.

Now with nearly 200 live sites, Virtual Y is poised to become an important next chapter in the YMCA’s 150-year history.