Rep. Garcia allocates $3 million for new Downey YMCA

Rep. Robert Garcia, left, speaks with Downey YMCA board member Steve Roberson. Garcia selected the YMCA to receive $3 million as part of the federal government’s 2024 budget.

DOWNEY — Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) today announced he has allocated $3 million in federal funding for the construction of a new YMCA in Downey.

Garcia’s funding request was forwarded to the House Committee on Appropriations for consideration as part of its 2024 budget.

The Downey YMCA has served as a critical hub for the Downey community for decades, serving over 10,000 community members annually, many of whom live in underserved communities.

Shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic, the existing facility was deemed unsafe to reopen without a massive infrastructure refurbishment.

“The Downey YMCA serves as much more than just a community gathering place, it is a safe space for the community, a hub of after school activities for children, and even a place for teens to find scholarships. In sum, this YMCA works day after day to improve the lives of everyone in Downey.,” said Garcia. “This federal funding would provide badly needed renovations to this vital facility.”

“The Downey YMCA has proudly served the entire Downey community since we opened our doors in 1963,” added Dan Powell, the Downey YMCA’s interim executive director. “We are excited by the prospect of reopening of a brand-new facility which will support a vibrant, healthy community with engaging youth and teen development programs, before & after school care and senior and special needs activities.”

Earlier this year, the House Committee on Appropriations announced that they would begin accepting programmatic and Community Project Funding requests from Members of Congress to meet the needs of communities across the country.

Garcia and his staff have reached out and met with numerous stakeholders from each corner of the district to discuss projects throughout each of the communities the Congressman represents.