History

In 2021, the United Way of Southern Idaho acquired The E Street Community Center.

The United Way's mission is to advance the common good, focusing on education, income, and health to provide building blocks for a good quality of life. Acquiring the E Street Community Center allows us to strengthen the community by nurturing healthy individuals, families, and the emotional well-being of those in our eight-county region of South Central Idaho.

A cornerstone of community health and wellness in the heart of Southern Idaho, E Street Community Center is a 44,000 square foot hub serving as a vibrant central gathering place for serving 1,800+ gym members. The center also allows us to teach resiliency to teenagers, provide STEAM education for children, offer business-related lunches, and host volunteering events.

Previously known as the Magic Valley YMCA facility since 1958, the center was renamed, and the United Way of South Central Idaho took over organizational leadership and financial management. We then expanded the vision of serving the community to be more inclusive to address youth and adults' diverse health, educational, arts, and human service needs.

"Everyone is very passionate about the building's purpose," says Bill Maikranz, CEO and President of United Way of South Central Idaho. "And that is to help children and families in our community with resources and activities to enrich their lives."

E Street Community Center is dedicated to empowering our community by promoting holistic well-being for individuals and families. We accomplish this by offering fitness programs for all ages, swimming classes, after-school programs, a teen club, and sports courts for competitive teams and tournament use. We are developing an E Street Early Learning Center, which will improve access to child care for working families and serve as a model to replicate in rural areas.

One board of directors governs and operates both organizations, with an additional advisory board to guide the center's mission.

"The center is really about the neighborhood taking care of the neighbors," Maikranz says.