YMCA facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
YMCA

Founded	6 June 1844; 181 years ago (1844-06-06)
Founder	George Williams
Founded at	London, England
Type	International NGO
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Region served	Worldwide
President	Soheila Hayek
Secretary General	Carlos Sanvee
Staff	88,485 (2018)
Volunteers	919,671 (2018)
Formerly called	Young Men's Christian Association

The YMCA, often called the Y, is a huge youth organization that works all over the world. Its main office is in Geneva, Switzerland. It helps over 64 million people in 120 countries!

The YMCA was started in London on June 6, 1844. A man named George Williams created it. The full name was the Young Men's Christian Association. Its goal was to help young men grow in a healthy way. This included their body, mind, and spirit, based on Christian values.

The YMCA quickly grew into a worldwide movement. It focused on helping young people develop. Local YMCAs offer many activities. These include sports, classes, and community work. They also promote Christian values and help people in need.

The YMCA is like a big family of independent groups. Each local YMCA is part of its country's organization. These national groups then belong to a larger worldwide alliance. YMCA programs are different in each country. But they all follow the same main ideas, called the Paris Basis.

The YMCA is a Christian organization. Other groups like it are the YWCA and the Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA). You might know the YMCA from the famous 1978 song "Y.M.C.A." by the Village People.

History of the YMCA

How it Started (1800s)

The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) began on June 6, 1844. George Williams and eleven friends started it. Williams worked in a fabric shop in London. He saw that many young men moving to cities for work had few good things to do. Often, their only choice was going to taverns.

Williams' idea came from prayer and Bible study meetings. He held these with his co-workers. On June 6, 1844, they had the first meeting. Their goal was to improve the spiritual lives of young men. These men worked in shops and other trades. Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury became the YMCA's first president in 1851. He served until 1885.

By 1845, the YMCA started popular lectures. These talks were held in London. They were so popular that they began to be published in 1849. The lecture series continued until 1865.

The YMCA grew as more young people moved to cities for factory jobs. It offered a safe place for fun. This helped young people avoid bad choices like gambling. It also helped them become good citizens.

The YMCA quickly spread beyond the United Kingdom. This happened partly because of the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. By the end of that year, YMCAs were in many countries. These included Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United States.

Henry Dunant helped make the YMCA a truly global group. He was the Secretary of YMCA Geneva. He later started the International Committee of the Red Cross. Dunant helped organize the first YMCA World Conference in Paris in 1855.

At this conference, 99 young people from nine countries met. They decided to work together more closely. This meeting started the World Alliance of YMCAs. They also agreed on a shared mission, called the Paris Basis. Their motto was "That they all may be one" from the Bible.

In 1865, a YMCA conference in Germany said it was important to help people grow in spirit, mind, and body. They also saw that sports were a good way to do this. This idea was called "muscular Christianity".

The YMCA has also worked with other youth groups. These include Boy Scouts of America, Camp Fire, and Girl Scouts of the USA.

In the 1870s and 1930s, the YMCA was very important. It taught Christian values and promoted good sportsmanship. They had gyms where basketball and volleyball were invented. They also had swimming pools. Later, the YMCA focused more on being good citizens. Before the American Civil War, the YMCA helped soldiers. They provided nursing and shelter.

In 1878, the World YMCA opened its offices in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1900, YMCAs in North America helped people moving to the US. They set up centers in European ports. In 1880, Norway's YMCA was the first to have equal numbers of men and women on its committees.

In 1885, the first overnight camp in North America was started by YMCA workers. It was called Camp Baldhead, later Camp Dudley.

The 1900s and Beyond

The YMCA played a big part in starting scouting in the United Kingdom in 1907. The first scout groups met in YMCA buildings. The YMCA also influenced the Boy Scouts of America.

During World War I, the YMCA quickly set up 250 recreation centers in the UK. They built temporary huts across Europe. These helped both soldiers and civilians. Thousands of volunteers ran these centers. Famous people like Clementine Churchill and Robert Baden-Powell helped. The YMCA spent over $155 million on welfare for American soldiers. They had over 25,000 staff helping troops.

During World War II, the YMCA helped millions of POWs. They also supported Japanese Americans in internment camps. This help included providing sports gear, music, art supplies, and helping young men leave camps for college. The YMCA was also one of the groups that started the USO.

In Europe, the YMCA helped refugees, especially Jewish people. They sometimes helped people escape. Mostly, they gave relief packages to refugees.

In 1947, the World YMCA started working with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. In 1955, Charles Dunbar Sherman from Liberia became the first black President of the World YMCA. He was also the youngest at 37. In 1959, YMCA of the USA created the first national scuba diving course.

In 1973, the World Council meeting in Uganda was the first in Africa. It confirmed the original mission. It also said the YMCA needed to take stands on global issues.

In 1976, Violet King Henry became the first woman in a senior management role at the American national YMCA.

In 1985, the World Council of YMCAs spoke out against apartheid (racial segregation). Anti-apartheid campaigns were started.

In 1998, the YMCA adopted "Challenge 21." This focused on global issues. These included gender equality, sustainable development, peace, and fighting racism and HIV/AIDS.

The 2000s

In 2002, the World Council in Mexico called for peace in the Middle East. On July 12, 2010, YMCA of the USA changed its name to "The Y." They also updated their logo. Today, YMCAs welcome everyone. This is true no matter their age, background, or beliefs.

In 2018, Carlos Sanvee from Togo became the first African Secretary General of World YMCA. Patricia Pelton from Canada became the first female President of World YMCA.

The YMCA celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2019. A big event was held in London. Over 3,200 young leaders from 100 countries attended. They celebrated youth leadership. They also highlighted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

How the YMCA is Organized Worldwide

The YMCA works like a big family of groups. Each local YMCA is independent. But they are all connected to their country's national organization. These national groups are part of larger regional alliances. For example, there are alliances for Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa.

The World YMCA is the highest group. It connects all the YMCAs around the globe. Even though they are independent, they work together. They share ideas and help each other. This helps them meet the needs of local communities.

The World YMCA holds a big meeting every few years. It's called the World Council. This is where important decisions are made. Delegations from each country's YMCA attend. They vote on policies and choose leaders. The most recent World Council was in 2022 in Denmark. The next one is planned for 2026 in Canada.

Activities and Services

The YMCA offers many different programs. These help people of all ages. They focus on helping young people grow.

Places to Stay

Some YMCAs offer places to stay. These can be like youth hostels or hotels. The money earned helps fund other YMCA programs. In England and Wales, YMCAs provide safe homes for young people who are homeless.

In the past, many YMCAs in the United States had hotel-like rooms. These were for young men moving to cities. They were a safe and cheap place to stay. In 1940, YMCAs had more rooms than any hotel chain. Today, fewer YMCAs have these rooms, but some still do.

Arts and Creative Programs

YMCAs offer classes in many arts. These include drawing, painting, and photography. They also have music, dance, and poetry. Some YMCAs offer reading and storytelling. These programs give kids a safe place to enjoy creative activities.

Camping Adventures

YMCA camping started in 1885. Camp Baldhead (now Camp Dudley) was the first overnight camp in North America. It was started by YMCA workers in New Jersey. Later, it moved to New York.

Camping also started early in Canada. The Big Cove YMCA Camp began in Nova Scotia in 1889.

Programs for Kids and Families

YMCAs offer child care. This includes safe places for babies, toddlers, and school-aged kids to play. Parents can work out or join other YMCA programs. YMCA staff are trained to keep children safe.

Family programs include family nights and parent-child classes. The YMCA's Y-Guides program helps parents and children. They do fun activities like camping and crafts. They also do community service together.

YMCA after-school programs help students. They offer fun activities, cultural learning, and leadership skills. They also help with schoolwork and social skills.

Learning and Education

Many colleges and universities have ties to the YMCA. Springfield College was founded in 1885. It was a training school for YMCA professionals. Concordia University started from night classes at the Montreal YMCA.

Northeastern University began at a YMCA in Boston. Franklin University started as the YMCA School of Commerce. Golden Gate University in San Francisco began as the YMCA Night School in 1881.

The YMCA also started the idea of night school. This gave people with full-time jobs a chance to learn. Many YMCAs offer ESL programs. They also have alternative high school, day care, and summer camps.

In India, YMCA University of Science and Technology was founded in 1969. It offers science and engineering programs. Cleveland State University started from courses offered by the [Cleveland YMCA] in the 1880s.

American high school students can join YMCA Youth and Government. In this program, students act as lawmakers. They "take over the State Capitol for a day."

The International Coalition of YMCA Universities connects universities worldwide. These universities offer many different courses.

Health and Wellness

The YMCA is famous for inventing sports! In 1891, James Naismith invented basketball. He was studying at a YMCA training school in Springfield, Massachusetts. He needed a new game to keep students active indoors.

In 1895, William G. Morgan from YMCA of Holyoke, Massachusetts, invented volleyball. He wanted a slower game for older members.

In 1930, Juan Carlos Ceriani from YMCA of Montevideo, Uruguay, invented futsal. This is an indoor version of football.

YMCAs also have fitness and wellness programs. One program helps people with diabetes live healthier lives.

Sports at the YMCA

Sports offered at YMCAs include baseball, basketball, gymnastics, football, karate, racquetball, soccer, volleyball, and wrestling.

Swimming and Water Sports

YMCAs offer many water activities. These range from fun classes to competitive swimming. There are classes for parents and children, preschoolers, and teens. They also have classes for adults and water therapy. Some YMCAs have special Olympic swim classes.

You can also take CPR and first aid classes. Beyond swimming, you can learn water polo or join water fitness classes. Many YMCAs have open swim times for families.

Basketball: A YMCA Invention

In 1891, basketball was invented at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts. James Naismith, a teacher and doctor, created it. He needed an indoor game to keep energetic youth busy in winter.

The first game was played in December 1891. It used a soccer ball and two peach baskets. The baskets were nailed to a balcony. The game was an instant hit! At first, the ball had to be taken out of the basket after each score.

Luther Gulick (physician), a YMCA leader, helped Naismith spread the sport. Naismith even went to the 1936 Summer Olympics. Basketball was included as an Olympic event for the first time there.

Futsal: Indoor Football

"Futsal" started in 1930. Juan Carlos Ceriani, a teacher in Montevideo, Uruguay, created it. He made an indoor football game for YMCAs. It was designed to be played on basketball courts.

The YMCA quickly spread the game across South America. It was easy to play anywhere, in any weather. This helped players stay fit all year.

Gymnastics at the Y

Gymnastics came to the YMCA in 1869. YMCAs in Boston, San Francisco, and New York City built gyms. These gyms allowed men to train in gymnastics.

Robert J. Roberts was an early gymnastics teacher at the Boston YMCA. He later started group exercises. These are still common at YMCAs today.

Over time, other sports like basketball and volleyball became more popular. But gymnastics continued at some YMCAs. Today, YMCAs around the world offer gymnastics for boys and girls. They have equipment like parallel bars, balance beams, and trampolines. Many YMCAs offer camps, lessons, and teams for gymnastics and cheerleading.

Racquetball: Another YMCA Sport

Racquetball is another sport invented at the YMCA. Joseph Sobek was a tennis, handball, and squash player. He was not happy with the indoor sports options in Greenwich, Connecticut. In 1950, he designed a short racquet and used a rubber ball. He created rules for a new game using handball courts. He called it "paddle rackets." The sport became very popular in the 1970s. Today, about 15 million people play it worldwide.

Volleyball: A Team Game

Four years after basketball was invented, William G. Morgan created "mintonette." He was an instructor at the YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He wanted a game for older men with less physical contact. He used a tennis net, raised it high, and had players hit a large ball over it. Someone suggested a better name: "volleyball." In 1912, volleyball was brought to schools and YMCAs in China.

YMCA Around the World

Africa

YMCAs in Africa are part of the Africa Alliance of YMCAs (AAYMCA). Their main goal is to help young people become strong and independent. AAYMCA is the oldest non-governmental organization network in Africa. It reaches about five million young people. The first YMCA in Africa started in Liberia in 1881. The AAYMCA was formed in 1977 to connect all the national YMCAs on the continent.

AAYMCA works with national YMCAs to create programs. They also check how well these programs are working. They want to help Africa's youth develop.

Active YMCA groups are in many African countries. These include Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda.

Asia

China

In 1911, J. Howard Crocker helped the YMCA in China. He promoted physical education from Shanghai. He organized the first school for physical education directors in China. With support from the president, Crocker traveled China. He set up training courses for teachers.

Hong Kong

YMCA Hong Kong started in 1901. In 1908, it split into two groups based on language. YMCA Hong Kong has been at its current location since 1922. It also started a college in 1996 and a Christian college in 2003.

Europe

Germany

In Germany, the YMCA is called CVJM. This stands for Christlicher Verein junger Menschen (Christian Association of Young People). Until 1985, it was called 'Christian Association of Young Men'. The name changed to show that it welcomes both men and women.

Sweden

YWCA-YMCA of Sweden was formed in 1966. This happened when the YMCA and YWCA of Sweden joined together. In 2011, they started using "KFUM Sverige." Here, "M" means människor ("people") instead of män ("men"). This shows they include everyone. YWCA-YMCA of Sweden has 40,000 members. Many of their sports teams have been very successful.

United Kingdom and Ireland

The YMCA in the United Kingdom and Ireland has three main groups. These are for England and Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. YMCAs in Wales joined YMCA England in 2017. So, the group is now called YMCA England and Wales.

YMCAs in England and Wales help young people who are homeless. They offer safe places to live. They also provide mental health services, youth clubs, and sports centers. They run nursery schools and after-school clubs. Each year, YMCA England and Wales helps over 18,000 young people with homes.

Latin America

Argentina

The YMCA started in Argentina in 1902. It helped train physical education teachers. The YMCA was important for encouraging women's sports in South America. In the early 1900s, it promoted basketball, swimming, and track and field for women.

Brazil

The YMCA started in Brazil in 1893. From the beginning, volleyball was seen as a good sport for women. The YMCA encouraged women's volleyball in schools. Sports clubs also started organizing events for women because of the YMCA.

Mexico

Mexico's first YMCA opened in Mexico City in 1902. It was for the American community. By 1904, there were more branches in Mexico City and one in Monterrey. The YMCA in Mexico offered physical activities and helped young men develop life skills. They also had some activities for women.

Panama

In 1904, the YMCA was asked to come to the Panama Canal Zone. This was approved by President Theodore Roosevelt. YMCA clubhouses were built. They had billiard rooms, reading rooms, bowling alleys, and gyms. They also had ice cream parlors and libraries. By 1920, there were nine YMCA buildings in the Canal Zone.

Panama YMCA was founded on May 24, 1966. Even during times of political unrest, the YMCA continued its swimming and summer programs. These programs remained popular.

Today, YMCA Panama continues to help society. In 2005, they opened the new YMCA Panama School.

Peru

YMCA Peru has a team of 200 staff and over 700 volunteers. Their goal is to "Have a positive impact on the young people so they have the will to transform the Peruvian society."

YMCA Peru was created on May 17, 1920. It works in the areas of Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo.

Middle East

Gaza

The YMCA in Gaza City started in 1952. It was a branch of the Egypt YMCA. After 1967, it became independent. Gaza YMCA has five main areas: sports, arts, welfare, preschool, and youth. The youth department has about 80 young leaders.

Even though it has a Christian identity, the YMCA in Gaza is respected by the Muslim community. Most people who attend are Muslim. The staff are both Muslim and Christian. The YMCA teaches young people about religious tolerance. In 2021, Gaza's YMCA helped 1,800 young people.

Israel

In 1924, Archibald Clinton Harte helped raise money to build the Jerusalem International YMCA. It opened in 1933. Its goal was to be a place of peace. A place where people could forget differences and build unity. The building was designed by Arthur Loomis Harmon, who also designed the Empire State Building. The Jerusalem YMCA had the city's first heated swimming pool.

In 1947, the YMCA hosted important talks. These were the UNSCOP talks about the future of Palestine.

North America

Canada

The first YMCA in North America opened in Montreal, Quebec, on November 25, 1851. Today, there are 44 YMCAs and 5 YMCA-YWCAs in Canada. They help 2 million people in over 1,000 communities. Programs include childcare, health, fitness, camping, and help for newcomers.

United States

In the United States, the YMCA is often called 'The Y'. Its main office is in Chicago. It has 800 groups with 2,700 locations. They work with 21 million people. Their goal is to "strengthen communities." They do this through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Their main programs include after-school activities, day care, and physical fitness. Many locations have gyms, weight rooms, swimming pools, and sports courts.

The first YMCA in the United States opened in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 29, 1851. It was founded by Captain Thomas Valentine Sullivan. In 1853, Reverend Anthony Bowen started the first YMCA for African American men in Washington, D.C.. This YMCA still serves the U Street area today.

The YMCA in the USA is one of the largest charities. It receives many donations from the public.

Nobel Peace Prize Winners

The YMCA has connections to two Nobel Peace Prize winners:

• 1901: Henry Dunant helped start the Geneva YMCA and the World YMCA. He won the first-ever Nobel Peace Prize. He won for starting the International Committee of the Red Cross and inspiring the Geneva Conventions.
• 1946: John R. Mott, from the US, was president of the World YMCA. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work. He helped bring people from many nations and backgrounds together.

The YMCA Logo

In 1881, the official symbol of the World Alliance of YMCAs was chosen. It's a circular emblem with five parts. Each part stands for a different continent. Small YMCA symbols in different languages hold the parts together. This showed that the YMCA could be truly international.

In the center is a larger symbol of X and P. These are Greek letters for Christ's name. An open Bible sits on top. It shows a verse from the Bible: "that they all may be one." This reminds YMCAs that their faith is at the center of their work.

In 1891, Luther Gulick (physician) introduced a new YMCA symbol. It was an upside-down red triangle. Each side of the triangle stood for a different part of a person: Mind, Body, and Spirit. This red triangle became a well-known symbol of the YMCA's work during World War I and II. Many local YMCA logos still use the red triangle today.

In 2010, the YMCA of the USA changed its logo to "The Y." This was part of a bigger change to its brand.

YMCA Vision 2030

At a meeting in Denmark in 2022, the global YMCA adopted a new plan. It's called YMCA Vision 2030.

Vision 2030 is a guide for all YMCAs. It is linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to help communities and young people worldwide. The goal is to build a fair, sustainable, and inclusive world. A world where everyone can grow in body, mind, and spirit.

Collective Vision: A world where everyone lives in peace. Peace with themselves, with others, and with nature.

Collective Mission: The YMCA wants to help young people and communities around the world. They want to build a fair, sustainable, and inclusive world. A world where everyone can be healthy, smart, and happy.

Main Focus Areas: To reach this mission, the YMCA will focus on four areas:

• Community Wellbeing: Helping communities be healthy and happy.
• Meaningful Work: Helping young people find good jobs and purpose.
• Sustainable Planet: Protecting our Earth for the future.
• Just World: Making the world fair for everyone.

Each area has three goals. These are about changing from within, helping communities, and speaking up globally. As of June 2023, 75 YMCA groups around the world were working on YMCA Vision 2030.

Nobel Peace Prize laureates

• 1901: Henry Dunant, who co-founded the Geneva YMCA in 1852 and was one of the founders of the World YMCA, was awarded the first-ever Nobel Peace Prize for founding the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863, and inspiring the Geneva Conventions (Conventions de Genève). He shared the prize with Frédéric Passy, founder and president of the first French peace society.
• 1946: John R. Mott, US, president of the World YMCA, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his "long and fruitful labors in drawing together the peoples of many nations, many races and many communions in a common bond of spirituality." John R. Mott also played an important role in the founding of the World Student Christian Federation in 1895, the 1910 World Missionary Conference and the World Council of Churches in 1948.

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See also

• Clean living movement
• List of recreational organizations
• List of YMCA buildings
• Police Citizens Youth Club
• Polish YMCA
• TUXIS
• YMCA of Greater New York
• YMCA SCUBA Program
• Y.M.C.A. (song)