Gilchrist Foundation Helps Expand Siouxland Y’s Childcare and Youth Programs
Access to affordable, high-quality childcare and youth programs is a vital need in the Siouxland community. The Siouxland YMCA recognizes this, especially as families look for safe, healthy, and enriching environments for their children. However, the organization’s previous facility limited its ability to fully support community programs spanning early learning through youth development.
That’s why, when the Siouxland YMCA (Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA) developed plans to expand its Early Learning and Youth Development Center, the Gilchrist Foundation proudly stepped in to support the initiative. In 2023, the Foundation awarded the YMCA a $50,000 capital campaign grant to help fund the $5 million expansion. And in May 2025, the newly expanded facility officially opened - marking a milestone for children and families in the region.
A Space Designed to Grow with Kids
The 12,000-square-foot expansion is child-centered and designed to serve a wide range of ages. From infant care to after-school programs, the facility supports a continuum of developmentally appropriate care and enrichment. A central highlight is the indoor playground, Explorer’s Cove, designed by former Nebraska football quarterback Eric Crouch. The playground is inclusive and imaginative, featuring a pirate ship for climbing and imaginative play, blue and silver octagon climbers inspired by arctic adventures and interactive zones that spark creativity, movement and fun.
This modern facility helps support 10 core youth programs, including:
Early Learning
Y Preschool
Summer Day Camp for PreK – 5th Grade
Specialty Camps for K – 5th Grade
Kid’s Night Out and Girls on the Run
Out-of-School Care
Child Watch for Members
15 Different Youth Sports
Swim Lessons for All Levels
Lifeguard Certifications
Together, these offerings represent a major step forward in meeting Siouxland’s growing demand for accessible, high-quality childcare and youth development programs.
About the Siouxland YMCA
Established in 1886, the Sioux City YMCA began in a repurposed church before constructing its first facility in 1892 at 7th and Pierce Streets for under $50,000. In 1956, a successful capital campaign led to the opening of a new facility at 722 Nebraska Street, which featured two floors of overnight residences and separate entrances for boys and men.
After more than 50 years at that location, the YMCA again adapted to community needs by breaking ground on a state-of-the-art facility across the Missouri River in South Sioux City’s Scenic Park. The new Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA opened in 2008 as a 62,000-square-foot, $11 million community hub.
With more than a century of service, the Siouxland Y has impacted thousands of lives by promoting healthy living, youth development and social responsibility. Today, Ys around the world reach over 20 million people with programs that strengthen individuals and communities.
About the Gilchrist Foundation
The Gilchrist Foundation was created by Jocelyn Gilchrist in honor of her family’s legacy. Using the wealth her family accumulated, Jocelyn sought to give back to the community in areas that mattered most to her: the arts, wildlife and conservation, public broadcasting, and disaster relief. Since her passing in 2008, the Foundation has continued to uphold these philanthropic values.
In support of these missions, the Gilchrist Foundation awards four types of grants: project grants, micro-grants, endowment grants, and capital campaign grants. The Foundation’s support of the Siouxland YMCA’s expansion reflects a commitment to community well-being and growth—empowering organizations that serve families, children, and future generations.
The Foundation is proud to support causes that were dear to Jocelyn Gilchrist’s heart. By helping fund the expansion of the Siouxland YMCA’s Early Learning and Youth Development Center, the Gilchrist Foundation is investing in the future - building strong communities where families thrive.
To learn more about the Foundation or begin the grant application process, visit https://www.thegilchristfoundation.org/applications or contact Security National Bank at (712) 277-6586 or wealth@snbonline.com.