The Atlantic Coast Line Young Men's Christian Association of Florence, S.C. was organized at the City Hall on Friday, January 26, 1912.  A building was erected that same year, standing near where McLeod Regional Medical Center now stands, at a cost of $30,000. The organization served men and boys in the Florence area as well as men who came through Florence on the train.  In 1924, the building was remodeled and enlarged at the cost of $95,000.  It included 85 guest rooms, a large lobby and front desk area,  a meeting room, barber shop, medical examiners quarters, a library, music room, game room, ladies room, social hall, locker rooms, kitchen, gymnasium, auditorium, and even a miniature golf course.

In the 1960's, the Florence Family YMCA began to focus on serving all members of the family.  A decreasing number of railway workers and a growing, more diversified community created a greater need for local family programs and less emphasis on housing railroad employees.  The Atlantic Coast Line Railway contributed the assets of their YMCA to the Florence Community.  Community leaders were elected to form a local Board of Directors and the Family YMCA of Greater Florence was incorporated in 1969.  After temporary locations downtown and on Cherokee Road, a full facility was opened on the current site in January 1972.

Men, women, boys and girls participated in a variety of activities including sports leagues, swimming classes, exercise classes and leadership programs.  In the 1980's, the YMCA grew again as a successful capital campaign provided a new child care center, mini-gym and women's locker room.  Because of the increasing need for quality child care, a third classroom, named for educator and community leader, Mrs. Vera Graham, was added in 1994.

The Florence Family YMCA expanded again in 2001 to better serve a growing community.  The "Building for the Future" Capital Development Campaign enabled our YMCA to double in size and expand many needed programs in our community.

Today, the Florence Family YMCA serves 5,500 members, provides over $75,000 a year in financial aid to children, families, and adults, has over 1,850 children a year participate in programs and have grown our budget to nearly $2 million.  The Florence Family YMCA, it's staff and volunteers, have come a long way since 1912, and more importantly, has the vision to take us even farther.