Crossroads YMCA and Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville announce a collaboration to serve more families in Northwest Indiana

Crossroads YMCA and Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville announce a collaboration to serve more families in Northwest Indiana

Crossroads YMCA and Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville are excited to announce a collaboration between the two organizations to serve more families in Northwest Indiana. We believe that our communities will be well-served by coming together as one, advancing our mission, and increasing our impact.

The plan is to fully transition Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville into a Crossroads YMCA location by January 2022. The transition allows Franciscan Alliance to continue their focus on health/wellness through hospitals and medical offices. The YMCA will utilize their expertise to expand services and programs, as they have in other areas throughout Lake County. The Y looks forward to building on the strong history that lives within Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville.

Franciscan Alliance President and CEO Kevin Leahy said, “The partnership between Franciscan Alliance and the Crossroads YMCA is an example of two organizations with a shared mission of improving the health status of the communities we are privileged to serve. Franciscan’s medical facility adjacent to the fitness building will continue to serve its patients in the location and may be expanded in the future. We are thrilled that the expertise of our staff will remain in place, and our Schererville fitness center will continue to be a place for people to achieve their health and fitness goals as it transitions to the YMCA.”

Crossroads YMCA is excited about this collaboration so the Y can help address an increasing need for access to vital services in our communities, such as affordable childcare, chronic disease prevention, and health & wellness initiatives.

“We feel grateful to work with Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville, who we recognize as a longtime expert in health and wellness in Lake County. Together, we will be better positioned to address a growing need for YMCA services, particularly among kids and families. We are committed to strengthening our communities by ensuring that everyone has access to the resources and support that will help them learn, grow, and thrive through this collaboration,” said Jay Buckmaster, CEO of Crossroads YMCA.

The Y is also looking forward to working with the Town of Schererville, Tri-Town leaders, and community neighbors to develop systems and strategies to make this location in Schererville a destination for kids, families, and adults. Crossroads YMCA leaders will be working closely with Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville leaders, staff and members over the next 90 days to ensure a smooth transition. In the coming years, Crossroads YMCA plans to build a new facility adjacent to the current Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville and add programs/services to meet the needs of members and the community. 

Crossroads YMCA (Crown Point, Hammond, Whiting and Griffith) is working to transform Lake County as one association dedicated to creating lasting, positive change. The Y’s work in our community focuses on youth development (engage and inspire more youth, tweens, and teens through a diverse array of innovative and impactful experiences), healthy living (improve community health and well-being by serving and engaging more people), and strengthening the community (increase access to YMCA programs and services). Since 2019, Crossroads YMCA has opened a destination YMCA in Crown Point and expanded YMCA in Hammond. Crossroads YMCA is also currently working on projects for a destination day camp in South Lake County as well as a new destination YMCA in Hammond (near current Hammond Sportsplex) through a partnership with the City of Hammond/Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr.