What makes a business endure for 150 years? For Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA CEO Kim Jass-Ramirez, it’s because the Y is a place where “people come together to grow stronger in spirit, mind and body, and where people from all backgrounds can connect, belong and thrive.”

Jass-Ramirez has served as CEO since Jan. 1, 2023 when she replaced Carol Hibbs (CEO from 2007-2022). Previously, Jass-Ramirez was the senior program and facilities director and has worked at additional YMCAs in Iowa and Illinois.

Locally, the Y formed as just the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) back in 1876 and reorganized in 1886. The first one in the world started in London in 1844. In Marshalltown, it became known as the “Railroad YMCA” due to being popular with railroad workers, especially during layovers in town. Its headquarters moved around, and in 1917, a new facility was built on Church Street where a Wells Fargo bank was later constructed. In 1858, the Ladies Christian Association (later called the Young Women’s Christian Association) formed in New York City. The YWCA in Marshalltown got off the ground in 1909. In 1926-7, a fundraising campaign launched to remodel the upper floors of the YMCA for use by the YWCA. A figure of $70,000 was raised, and efforts to place both agencies under one roof succeeded. The agencies became the first, and longest running, joint YMCA-YWCA in United States history.

The 1960s saw the need for expansion. The first fund drive raised $900,000 toward building a 58,000-square foot facility. The planning committee then decided a larger building was needed, and $220,000 was raised. On June 9, 1968, a dedication ceremony was held at the new Y building — what is today called the Y’s Cultural Center, located at 705 S. Center Street. Before all the monetary donations were received, nearby Linn Creek flooded in spring 1974, causing more than $100,000 in damages. The community rallied to repair the building. Also in the 70s, a jogging track and handball and squash courts were completed.

The north parking lot was donated in 1991. A 2,800-square foot addition became the locale for an aerobics studio. In the mid-90s, Marshalltown agreed to support $1.75 million in upgrades to the facility. Renovations began in September 1995. That year, the Marshalltown YMCA and YWCA became known as the “Community Y of Marshalltown” through a joint management agreement, with both entities still each belonging to the national organizations. In July 1996, Mary Carol Fish became the first executive director of both organizations (serving until 2006). In February 1997, an open house of the updated facility took place. That August, the public learned that Virginia Horne-Henry, a woman who had been raised in Marshalltown in the 1920s, left her life’s fortune in a Remainder Trust to the YMCA-YWCA — a sum of $28 million.

This bequeathment paid off a half million-dollar debt, funded projects, and has resulted in the organizations yearly receiving the interest and dividends from the trust, for perpetuity.

In early 2000, a three-phase plan was introduced to address: opening a new wellness/fitness center to be called the Horne-Henry Center, renovate the Old Y (Cultural Center) which houses groups and agencies affiliated with the Y’s mission, and expand the Horne-Henry Center, which opened its doors on Jan. 4, 2004.

The Teach Them to Swim program was started in 2012 in response to the tragic drownings that occurred that summer. The Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA teamed up with Lenihan Intermediate School to provide swimming lessons and water safety instruction to fifth and sixth grade students. Since that time, more than 1,000 students have graduated from the program.

To keep up with the interests and demands of the modern world, the Y offers fitness classes for all ages and abilities, preschool, childcare, summer camp, and more.

“Over the years, we have evolved to provide the programs and services that our community needs. And although the Y’s physical location has changed a few times, I’m proud that our reach goes beyond our four walls through partnerships and collaborations in the community,” Jass-Ramirez said. “I just love hearing the stories from our members about the generations of families who have walked through our doors to find opportunity and encouragement. I am profoundly grateful to the donors and volunteers whose generosity and dedication made the Y possible in Marshalltown and who continue to champion our mission today.”

Andrew Potter, who serves as marketing and communications director, said 2025 was a big year for the Y. The EGYM program was established, seeing almost 900 members signed up.

“EGYM is a strength training circuit of 11 machines that automatically adjust to the user’s personal settings such as their height and the weight settings they use, providing for an effective and efficient workout,” he said. “Pickleball continues to grow as we taught more than 100 people how to play with intro to pickleball classes in 2025 and look to expand pickleball offerings in 2026. We have added more court time for pickleball in our schedule as the sport continues to grow.”

Potter added that the organization’s future steps often incorporate feedback from Y members, such as purchasing new equipment and adding programming.

“We also stay connected to other Y’s to see what is working in other facilities to be responsive to the latest trends in fitness and programming,” he noted. “We are also undergoing a facilities assessment to see what areas we need to address in 2026 and beyond to continue to serve our community. We will be doing some fundraising for facility upgrades as well. The Y is starting a new program known as YMCA 360, which is an app designed to allow our members to access the Y and its programs easier. It includes on-demand video, Y schedules, workout tracking and challenges.”

Jass-Ramirez said she feels fortunate to be leading the organization during this milestone anniversary.

“As we celebrate 150 years, we also recognize that our work is far from finished. We will continue to create safe and enriching spaces for young people, promote healthy living for all ages, support working families with child care, and mobilize when our community is in need,” she noted. “Looking ahead, we are focused on innovation grounded in connection. We will embrace new tools and technologies to better serve our members while preserving what makes the Y special: genuine relationships and a sense of belonging.”