Over the front door to the Lakewood YMCA appear the words, "We're more than a gym - we're a cause."

That is an accurate statement.

Founded by George Williams in 1844, the YMCA, or Young Men's Christian Association, is a worldwide organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The association's mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

"We are community," Clayton DeNault, the branch's executive director, said. "Every demographic is represented here.  People come here to exercise, to meet up and talk, and to find out what is happening."

The Lakewood Y's commitment to community is clear. The organization gives the community the support it needs to learn, grow and thrive.  From advocacy to food security, disease prevention to athletics, football to dance classes, every Y program works to strengthen the local community.

"We're a global organization with a very local focus," continued DeNault. "We have done and continue to do great work in the community, but much more work remains to be done."

Here is one example of the Y's dedication to a cause.

Sgt. Jay Strickland, a Special Forces soldier at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, was killed in Afghanistan. His son and daughter, Landon and Maddie, were devastated. In order to work through their sense of loss, their grandmother brought them to the Lakewood Y to provide them with a healthy and positive direction.

"The Y gave them something to concentrate on and take away the pain," DeNault said.

The Combined Federal Campaign, or CFC, plays a significant role in the Y's success.

The Lakewood YMCA's CFC donation code is 48231.

"One hundred percent of the funds we receive from the CFC go to programs that support the community," commented Jesse Palmer, the grants and government relations director.

Both DeNault and Palmer said the need for outreach programs would continue to grow.

"The outreach work we do is vital," continued DeNault. "We are asked to do more and more, and we want to continue to meet the needs of this community."

One outreach area that the Lakewood Y is committed to expanding are programs that benefit the JBLM community.

"We enjoy working with soldiers and their families, and we want that relationship to continue to grow," Palmer said.

For more information about the Lakewood YMCA, visit www.ymcapkc.org/lakewood.