Ponce YMCA Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ponce YMCA Building
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Ponce YMCA in Barrio Canas Urbano, Ponce, Puerto Rico
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 Location in Puerto Rico
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| Location | 7843 Calle Nazaret Urbanización Santa Maria Ponce, Puerto Rico |
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| Area | 6,349 m2 (68,340 sq ft) (lot) |
| Built | 1953–1955 |
| Built by | Lopez & Perez Builders |
| Architect | Pedro A. de Castro Gaya |
| Muralist | Rafael Ríos Rey |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| NRHP reference No. | 12000331 |
| Added to NRHP | 4 June 2012 |
The Ponce YMCA Building is a special historic place in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is located at 7843 Calle Nazaret in the Urbanizacion Santa Maria area. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 4, 2012. The YMCA in Ponce also helps families by offering a daycare with teachers and a social worker.
Contents
What is the YMCA?
The YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) is an organization that helps people, especially young people, grow in spirit, mind, and body. It offers many programs like sports, camps, and educational activities.
A Look Back: YMCA's History in Puerto Rico
The story of the YMCA in Puerto Rico began in 1917 when the first YMCA was started in San Juan. By 1919, people began to think about starting a YMCA in Ponce too.
Challenges and Growth
In 1934, Manuel Bueno became the first Puerto Rican to lead the YMCA in Puerto Rico. However, starting the Ponce YMCA was not easy. Strong hurricanes in 1928 and 1931 caused problems. Money meant for Ponce had to be used to fix the San Juan YMCA building after the storms.
The Great Depression in the 1930s also made things difficult. Despite these challenges, the YMCA of Puerto Rico became self-supporting in 1934.
Building the Ponce YMCA
To help overcome these difficulties, the Ponce YMCA joined with other YMCA groups in 1944 and 1947. The Ponce YMCA was officially founded in 1947.
The building was designed by architect Pedro A. de Castro Gaya. Construction began on September 10, 1953. The new Ponce YMCA building officially opened its doors on February 22, 1955.
A Special Place: Historic Recognition
The Ponce YMCA was recognized as a historic site on June 4, 2012. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This honor was partly because of a beautiful mural inside the building. The mural, called "El Hombre" (which means "Man"), was painted by Rafael Rios Rey.
What Happens There Now?
The Ponce YMCA building has been used continuously since it opened. It is a very busy place, especially during the summer. Many children and teenagers use its programs throughout the year.
Over 400 children take part in its activities. The YMCA also runs popular summer camp programs. It often works with the Ponce Region Boy Scout movement to help boys grow and learn. The building's sports facilities are used a lot for various activities. In 2019, Maritza Correa was the executive director of the Ponce YMCA.
See also
