About the Buchanan Y Story Project
The Buchanan Y Story is a project celebrating the 90th anniversary of the branch’s location at 1530 Buchanan Street. Founded as the Japanese YMCA in 1886, the current location opened its doors in 1936 and has been a pillar of San Francisco’s Japantown and Western Addition neighborhoods. The Buchanan Y’s rich history is a story of immigration, internment, war, segregation, integration, redevelopment, and many changing times. Yet through it all it has remained a strong, resilient and welcoming community. The Buchanan Y was built for community, by community.
The Buchanan Y partnered with the Community Engaged Design class at the University of San Francisco to capture oral histories, document stories, and archive photos & records compiling them all into The Buchanan Y Story. Through an interactive website, videos, booklet, and signage installed on site The Buchanan Y Story shares this rich and sometimes complicated history while celebrating the dedicated community who has welcomed everyone in with a place to call home.
our MISSION & Values
At Buchanan YMCA, we are dedicated to fostering youth development, supporting older adults, and providing a nurturing environment for teens through our comprehensive community center. Our mission is to reinforce families, uplift communities, and champion educational excellence, because we believe that everyone deserves the chance to succeed.
We believe every person deserves the opportunity to be, belong, and become.
With deep roots in the Japantown and Western Addition neighborhoods of San Francisco, we bring this mission to life through fitness classes, preventive health initiatives, youth development, and family support that help people grow in spirit, mind, and body. Whether you're seeking a place to stay active, connect with others, or grow as a person, the Buchanan YMCA is here to support you every step of the way.
We offer holistic and community-based programs that promote health, wellness, economic self-sufficiency, and empowerment for low-income youth, families, and communities. Buchanan YMCA recognizes and reaffirms individuals' strengths, encouraging meaningful and collaborative participation in the creation and delivery of our programs.
Suzanne Medina
Executive Director
Rodney chin
Former Executive Director, Board of Directors
Tom HoshiyamA
Lifelong Member, Volunteer
Director of Donor Relations, YMCA of Greater San Francisco
University of San Francisco Community Engaged Design Class Fall 26’
Rachel Beth Egenhoefer, Boone Adams, Rianah Bonifacio, Sienna Chanhmany, Michael Frey, Cassia Gilbert, Carolina Gonzalez-Espino, Celine Guadamuz-Cruz, Sooah Jang, Dillon Ker, Alice Lopatkina, Sydney Waldrop, Calire Williams, Maya Zier, & Binky.
Jessie Blundell
HELP OUR COMMUNITY GROW
Since opening its doors in 1936, the Buchanan YMCA has been a pillar of San Francisco’s Japantown and the Western Addition. Today, the Buchanan Y is reimagining its future as a vibrant neighborhood hub where people of all ages thrive in connection, purpose, and health. Every dollar raised will help keep community programs accessible for the families who need them most.