About Us

The Cannon Street YMCA of Charleston, South Carolina is national historic treasure, since it is the oldest, continuously operating YMCA developed for African Americans. Established just after the Civil War in 1866 and the Emancipation Proclamation, The Cannon Street YMCA celebrated its 147th Anniversary in 2013. The Cannon Street YMCA is governed by a board of directors and has as its core mission to Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility for all members of the community.

The Cannon Street YMCA has impacted the lives of many famous Americans including Harvey Gantt, the 1st African American mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina and seated Congressman, James Clyburn. We are also the proud home of the famous Cannon Street YMCA Little League All-Stars of 1955.

The Cannon Street YMCA provided critical care services to a primarily low-income demographic in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. It also provided health and wellness opportunities, literacy training, teen development programs, Senior Citizens services, Day Camp and Educational Training in the Charleston area. In conjunction with the Lowcountry Food Bank the Cannon Street YMCA feeds over 10,000 children each year.

Today, the Cannon Street YMCA had to close their doors due to lack of funding and the inability to expand. Due to this, we have moved to a new facility in the Cane Bay area in Summerville that is currently known as the Cane Bay Family YMCA while still maintaining our original goal of providing care to all members of the community, prioritizing those of lower income.