Together as Changemakers
Supporting Positive Generational Outcomes
Ramsey County, the City of Saint Paul, and the YMCA of the North have been community partners for decades, serving our community relentlessly, striving so that all can thrive in each stage of life.
There is a vital need to recognize a broad range of opportunity gaps that impact the holistic wellbeing of a family. And when it comes to child care, Minnesota has the third most expensive infant care cost. At the same time, an April 2025 survey reported that 86 percent of Minnesota providers indicated the industry is in a staffing shortage crisis.
We are proud to announce that the St. Paul Midway YMCA is decisively leaning in to embrace a strategy that supports family wellbeing by addressing the social drivers of health and launching a first-in-class career pathway to bolster the ranks of the state's child care workforce.
For nearly 170 years, the YMCA has raised the bar on what it means to be a community-centered non-profit— listening and responding to its communities. We bring people together — connecting all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gaps in community needs. The St. Paul Midway YMCA will put into practice programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for ALL by building a new wellbeing center on its campus.
A New Center Designed Around Community
We are so excited to share with you a $19 million expansion of our St. Paul Midway YMCA campus which will create the Peter J. King Family Foundation Center for Child and Family Wellbeing, directly across from our existing facility at 530 North Wheeler Street. This significant investment will have a transformational impact, helping to alleviate local child care deserts, nurture the wellbeing of families, and develop tomorrow's Minnesota child care professionals.
The new, 27,000-square-foot multi-generational hub will feature 12 classrooms, multi-purpose spaces, a gymnasium, and an outdoor rooftop classroom. This space is also designed to support children and families' needs, as well as students pursuing careers in child care. We anticipate serving 2,000 children annually and offer resource services to more than 6,000 family members — creating a vital resource for our community.
The new Center for Child and Family Wellbeing will serve individuals from infants to grandparents, providing a welcoming space for everyone to learn, grow, and access essential support services. This holistic approach will focus on enhancing family wellbeing, promoting economic prosperity, and improving health outcomes, ultimately empowering families for a brighter future.
We deeply appreciate the generosity of all contributors to this critical vision. We are encouraged that our efforts have been bolstered by the significant support of the Peter J. King Family Foundation and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation.
Join Us in Building Strong Foundations for Kids and Families
Fundraising efforts are actively underway as we strive to fully fund the center. Will you join us as a changemaker, and support positive generational outcomes for our community? We would love to visit with you to share more about this amazing vision.
David Dominick, St. Paul Midway YMCA Executive Director
651-259-6181