For over 100 years, the Dryades YMCA has established and executed programs and provided services for families, young adults and children of New Orleans.

Since 1905, this organization has been persistent and unwavering in their commitment to service through continuous efforts to educate, nurture, cultivate and support the people of this city.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed the levee system which dismantled most of the businesses, community organizations, schools, churches and homes in and around New Orleans. In the midst of adversity, the Dryades YMCA/James M. Singleton Charter School emerged as the first and only school to resume operation in November on the east bank of New Orleans.

Appreciative of its past, knowledgeable of its rich history and committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities, the Dryades YMCA remains focused on its mission of helping the community.

At the Dryades YMCA, their mission is to help people develop character, competence and commitment.

This mission is fulfilled because the organization plans and implements programs that help people develop marketable skills through effective education, grow personally and learn essential values, appreciate diversity, become better leaders, supporters and volunteers though community service and have fun.

Their community roles and responsibilities are to serve as a community catalyst through comprehensive intervention programs, to facilitate urban and community development in the New Orleans and to leverage developmental assets into building community wealth.

Aware that community reform is essential to yield educational transformation, the organization presently fulfills both creative and leadership roles in New Orleans.

While the Dryades YMCA services a host of programs, it is relentless in upgrading these programs and creating new ones that service and work in conjunction with their family of programs.