ST. LOUIS–The Gateway Region YMCA (GR-YMCA) is providing youth and communities a whole new way to enjoy the YMCA. With the Mobile Y, a bus with VR and other games, the YMCA is capable of bringing various free resources to teens and youth 18 and younger in St. Louis City. 

What You Need To Know

  • With the Mobile Y, a bus with VR and other games, the YMCA is capable of bringing various free resources to teens and youth 18 and younger in St. Louis City

  • Videogaming, DJ classes, STEAM activities, sports, and help with essentials are among the highlights of a Mobile Y event

  • For a list of upcoming events or to contact the Mobile Y go to the Gateway Region YMCA website

  • The Office of Violence Prevention uses the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay for the Mobile Y

“The goal is to bring resources directly to those who are most in need but are unable to make their way to a local YMCA or other community serving organizations,” said Chiamaka Onuoha, Senior Teen Program Director of GR-YMCA. 

Videogaming:

GR-YMCA calls the Mobile Y a “Technology Hub.” It has seven televisions, two of which are on the outside. Multiple videogame consoles are hooked up, two Nintendo Switches, three Xbox Series X, two Playstation 5 and 23 games are available across the systems. Each gaming system has four wireless controllers to support a multiplayer gaming experience. 

Mobile DJ units:

The Mobile Y has three Mobile DJ units in addition to the trailer. Staff use them to teach DJ classes to youth and teens.

STEAM:

Sphero Balls, Snap Circuits, and Construction Straws are available for engaging activities around robot programming and operation, circuity building, and engineering and construction. 

Recreational Hub: 

Mobile Y includes equipment for pick-up sports such as kickball, soccer, football, etc. They also bring game-night-like activities including large jenga, connect four, tug of war, and more. 

Community Health team with essentials:

A member of GR-YMCA’s Community Health team is on hand to connect families and others with essential resources like food assistance, mental health supports, housing, utility assistance to name a few. 

For those that wish to have the Mobile Y come to their location, the GR-YMCA asks you schedule the Mobile Y two to four weeks from your event to ensure staff availability. Submitting a request does not guarantee confirmation of the Mobile Y’s availability on your desired date. A GR-YMCA staff member will reach for details and confirm event availability. They’ve had to turn away a few requests due to already being booked for the same time but they followed up to see if there were other upcoming dates that would work for the requesting party. 

The Office of Violence Prevention uses the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay for the Mobile Y.

Since their first public event on September 28th, the Mobile Y has averaged 11 events a month since. More than 700 youth and teens were engaged through 23 events.

For a list of upcoming events or to contact the Mobile Y go to the Gateway Region YMCA website.