HISTORY OF YMCA

History of YMCA

History of YMCA

Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is an organization, instituted with an objective of the development of values and behaviours that are in harmony with Christian principles. Regardless of the withholding of the name, Christians are not only restricted to membership, and women and girls, since World War II, have been took on as members. Sir George Williams and a young men's group launched the first association in 1844 in London was in business as a spot to assist other young working men through prayer and Bible study in finding God. The YMCA was founded as an evangelically organization to change single young men, who in large numbers, were migrating to the city, during the mushrooming era of industrialization and urbanization. (Zald & Denton, 1963, p. 214- 16) There were 24 YMCAs, by 1851, in Great Britain, with a collective membership of 2,700.

In 1851, in North America, the movement took root. Tracing the trail of Montreal and Boston, several other cities organized their own YMCAs shortly, and in 1854, in Buffalo, N.Y., the first convention of North American associations fell out. In the same year, World Alliance of Young Men's Christian Associations was formed, following the lead of world conference in Paris (1855), attended by delegates from eight nations. During the Civil War, African Americans soldiers were provided with educational and religious programs organised by YMCA. (Mjagkij, 2003, p. 18)

Initially concentrated on religious activities and Bible study, the YMCA, over the years, has broadened its mission statement to a great extent. Low-cost housing, pools, gymnasiums, child-care programs and meeting space for community groups are often provided by YMCAs. College students were too organized by YMCAs for social action. The games of basketball and volleyball were too literally invented by YMCAs and the special needs of ...