Ymca History

The YMCA

The YMCA has a very clear and concise mission statement. Their mission is "to put Christian principles into practice through programs that

build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all".

The YMCA is the nation's largest not-for-profit community service organization in America. With more than 2,500 YMCAs, they are able to meet the health and social service needs of 18.9 million men, women and children in over 10,000 communities in the United States. No one is turned away from the Y. It is a place for people fo all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. Inability to pay is never a reason for the YMCA to turn someone away. Their strength lies in fulfilling their goal of bringing people together.

Not every community is the same. Therefore, each YMCA is different to accommodate

these differing needs. The YMCA in your community may offer child care or teen leadership clubs. In the next town over, swimming lessons or drawing lessons may be of bigger concern. Every Y makes their

won decisions based on the needs of the community around them. They decide which programs to offer and how to operate.

The YMCA was founded in London, England,

in 1844 by George Williams and some friends who lived

and worked as clerks in a drapery, a forerunner of drygoods

and department stores. Their goal was to help

young men like themselves find God. The first members

were evangelical Protestants who prayed and studied the

Bible as an alternative to vice.

The first U.S. YMCA was started in Boston in 1851,

the work of Thomas Sullivan, a retired sea captain and lay

missionary. From Boston, YMCAs spread rapidly across

America, many of which started opening their doors to

boys and men of all ages. Some YMCAs were started to

serve specific groups such as railroad and factory workers,

as well as African Americans, Native Americans and recent

immigrants. After World War II, women and girls were

admitted to full membership and participation. Today,

half of all YMCA members are female, and half are under

age 18.

The YMCA even stretches beyond the United States! Currently, more than 120 countries around the world have YMCA communities. This is an outreach program which serves more than 45 million people. About 230 U.S. YMCAs maintain relationships with Ys in other countries inorder to keep their promise to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities -- worldwide.

YMCAs have played a significant

role in the history of America. YMCAs invented basketball,

volleyball and racquetball, and pioneered camping, physical

fitness and swimming lessons. YMCAs helped found the

USO, Boy Scouts of America and Camp Fire Girls. YMCA

volunteers provided support and services to millions of

soldiers in many major wars, including the Civil War, World

War I and World War II. In 2001,

In the average YMCA, a volunteer board sets policy

for its executive, who manages the operation with staff