About Your YMCA
Your Board of Directors & Trustees
Helping people achieve their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body.
Your YMCA Mission Statement
A Brief History of Your Vicksburg YMCA
Our Junius Ward Johnson Memorial Young Men’s Christian Association was established in 1923 when Fannie Willis Johnson, as a memorial to her late husband, Junius Ward Johnson, built and gifted the Downtown Y facility at 821 Clay Street to the citizens of Vicksburg.
A year later, she built and gave the Jackson Street Branch YMCA, to serve the African American population of the community.
The Downtown YMCA included 66 dormitory rooms for men, a youth and adult department, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, athletic field, etc. Similar facilities were included in the smaller Jackson Street Branch Y.
From its beginnings, the local Y affiliated with the National Council of YMCAs, now known as the YMCA of the USA, and continues today as a member in good standing, consistently meeting and surpassing all requirements for membership.
From those early beginnings, initially serving men and boys only, the Vicksburg Y has remained a viable organization, changing with the times and meeting new interests and needs of the community. An example is the passing of the men’s dormitory as that need faded, to be replaced with new programs and activities serving all members of the family.
In 1955, Anderson-Tully Company gifted the YMCA 108 acres of timberland in Claiborne County for a youth camp. Several years later, Mr. C.L. Warner left the YMCA a bequest and Warner-Tully Memorial YMCA Camp was established. Opening its gates in 1960. the youth resident camp has operated every season since and counts thousands of boys and girls from across the Southeast as alumni.
The Wilkinson Ver Beck Branch YMCA on Oak Ridge Road resulted from a capital campaign in 1979 and now includes 30 acres with a large outdoor pool, childcare center and athletic fields.
YMCA VISION 2000, capital funds campaign (1999-2004) raised over $3.5 million to build our beautiful 40,000 sf W.K. Purks YMCA Center, 267 YMCA Place, Located in the growing Beechwood area, this modern facility includes a large gymnasium, indoor pool, fully equipped wellness center, racquetball court, group exercise studio, meeting rooms and athletic fields. It is located on 15 acres in the growing Beechwood area and has repositioned our Vicksburg Association for its exciting future.

Charitable Purpose
As a charitable, not for profit organization, we are required to make services available to those who cannot afford them. As Christians, we are called to help our fellow man. The Vicksburg YMCA is proud to stand behind the words: “No-one is turned away because of an inability to pay.” Financial assistance, named scholarships, is available for all programs and membership categories. To get started on this confidential process, please contact the YMCA at 601-638-1071.
Employment Opportunities
The Vicksburg YMCA offers full-time, part-time and seasonal employment opportunities. For more information, please give us a call at 601-638-1071.
Your YMCA Team

Melanie McCaskill
Youth Sports and Aquatics Director
Melanie was born and raised in Vicksburg, MS and has been a part of the YMCA since she was a child. Melanie began her first job at the YMCA when she was 16 years old and has not looked back since. Upon completion of her degree in Therapeutic Recreational Therapy from the University of Southern Mississippi, Melanie returned to Vicksburg and soon began her role as Youth Sports and Aquatics Director. She aims to reach two goals everyday: 1) to create a fun and safe environment, not only for our kids but for all our members and 2) to be more like Jesus every day!

Alvin Stimage
Fitness Trainer
Alvin has been an integral part of our YMCA staff for over 30 years. His fitness knowledge, coupled with his many years of experience, has made him a shining light in our fitness space and throughout the Y. Alvin’s life’s passion is to help people of all ages meet their physical fitness goals through mentorship, teaching, and encouragement. From our youth to our elderly population, he finds joy in helping others achieve success and they find joy in the journey of working with Alvin.

Imani Adams
Child Care Director
Imani is a native of Vicksburg, MS. She graduated from St. Aloysius High School in 2016 and went on to obtain her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Secondary Education from Millsaps College. She continued her education at Alcorn State University, obtaining her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Imani’s Y career began at Summer Day Camp as a camp counselor during the summer. She continued in this position until she transitioned into the role of Child Care Director in 2021. Imani’s goal is to provide quality childcare while helping our youth grow in mind, body and spirit.

Dorothy Hilderbrand
Membership Advisor
Dorothy is a retired second grade teacher and has worked at the front desk at the Y since 2011. We lovingly call her “The Face of the Y,” as she is the first bright and smiling face you meet upon entering. When she is not a multi-tasking phenomenon at the front desk, Dorothy loves to spend time building relationships with Y members. One of Dorothy’s favorite parts of her job is the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people – her “Y people” who have become like family. “Having my Y people makes my days brighter!”

Lauren Coulon
Membership Director
Lauren grew up in Vicksburg and became a part of our Y Family at a young age. From going to YMCA Day Camp to playing basketball, swimming, cheerleading, and taking aerobics classes; she has always felt at home at the Y. Lauren is a graduate of the University Mississippi and joined the YMCA staff in 2014, bringing her YMCA story full circle. She wears many hats in her role as Membership Director – from new member onboarding to overseeing special events to facility wide communication endeavors, she works diligently to provide excellent member experience. One of Lauren’s favorite parts of her job is the ability to work in the loving and Christian environment it provides. “I’ve gotten to know so many amazing people and feel blessed to work with such a talented staff. Each person brings something special to our Y!”

Mindy Giambrone
Active Y Adult Director
Another Y member from infancy, Mindy grew up in Vicksburg participating in YMCA swimming classes, youth sports, and exercise. Mindy has a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Physiology and a Minor in Health and has worked in this arena in several capacities over her career. Mindy’s position as AYA Director was actually born several years ago when she first began teaching Active Y Adult exercises classes at the Vicksburg YMCA. This class sparked the idea for a program that would enhance the lives of adults in our community, and the Active Y Program came to fruition in 2022. Mindy has a true passion for working with active older adults and ensuring this time in a person’s life is full of learning new things, meeting new people, and having new experiences – all while staying healthy.

Bonnie Henry
Wellness Director
Bonnie first joined our YMCA team in 2017. Her passion for health and wellness initially led her to teaching group exercise classes as a hobby. That hobby grew her desire to serve the community in the health and wellness space, and she became our Wellness Director in 2019. Bonnie has a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering and Master’s of Science in Nutrition with certifications in Health Coaching and Pregnancy and Postpartum Fitness. She is a mother to three beautiful daughters who she credits as her motivation for continued education in the wellness arena. “Being a good steward of one’s body is a Godly calling, and though it requires discipline, it yields a fruit of freedom. I am thankful to be able to share this message and serve our community through education, encouragement, and engagement at our YMCA.”

Phillip Doiron
Executive Director
A self professed “Y Brat”, Phillip learned to swim and play sports at the Vicksburg YMCA, and his first camp experience was at Warner-Tully. Now 30 years into his YMCA career, he is honored to be a part of that same organization. He is joined by his wife Kara, and two girls Anna Kate and Ally.

Allison Krabill
Camp Director, Warner-Tully Memorial YMCA Camp
Allison first chanted to light the magic campfire at the age of 6, and she hasn’t stopped talking about camp since. She grew up as a camper and counselor at Warner-Tully, serving as director after graduating from Louisiana Tech. Since first leaving the Vicksburg Y, she has run other youth and camp programs, including serving as executive director of YMCA Camp Immokalee. She consults for 200+ camps across the US and Canada. Allison works remotely from Tennessee, where she lives with her husband, Matt, and son, Jack.

