HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) – After 165 years, even a hit song with their namesake, the YMCA is changing its name.

The non- profit organization made the announcement Thursday at the Hollywood Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Broward County. The new name and logo officially rolls out in January, but the organization presented a sneak peak of their new name, ‘The Y,’ during Thursday’s announcement.

The organizations said that after two years of research they learned not many people knew they were one of the top non-profit organizations in the country.

“The outcome was most people thought it was just a swim and a gym,” Judy Erickson of the YMCA said. “Many didn’t know we were a charitable organization or cause driven.”

The organization said the new name will make a positive impact on the
YMCA.

“Today is all about a new era for the ‘Y’,” Sheryl Woods, president of the Y in Broward said. “It’s a time that we are going to start really leading with our impact and not our statistics.”

The non-profit organization invited inspirational individuals to inspire a crowd of 600 donors, volunteers and employees. Employee Kathy Seacrist said she lost 125 pounds because of the ‘Y’ and the non-profit organization changed her life even more by providing care for her son with cerebral palsy.

“They love him,” she said. “They treat him as their own. I feel secure with when I leave him during the day that he is safe and he’s happy.”

‘Y’ member Bernard Parris said he is now into basketball and books instead of the streets.

“I have somewhere to go,” he said. “I don’t have to get in trouble. It’s not fun being in trouble all the time.”

In a day where counties and cities are cutting back, the ‘Y the ‘Y’ is planning to start the new year adding more.

“This community deserves more programs and services and we are going to be here to make that happen,” Woods said.