On June 6, the YMCA of the USA marks its 175th anniversary. This global organization began with a simple but powerful idea to help people build healthier, happier lives.
Today, the YMCA is one of the world’s largest volunteer organizations known for helping people of every background reach their potential.
YMCA - A GLOBAL MOVEMENT
From its humble beginnings in London, the Y met the practical and spiritual needs of young men flocking to London during the Industrial Revolution. Since then, the Y has grown and changed, meeting the needs of children, families and adult in 10,000 communities in the U.S. and 119 countries around the globe. Along the way, the Y is responsible for a number of innovations that influenced history and are part of our daily lives. Watch this video to see the evolution of the Y nationally.
YMCA OF THE TRIANGLE
In 1857, a small group of men started the first YMCA in Raleigh. Today, our YMCA serves more than 230,000 children, families and adults in Wake, Chatham, Durham, Lee, Johnston, Orange and Pamlico Counties.
Over the years, we’ve made changes to meet the needs of our growing community. One thing has stayed the same: to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Through overnight camps, swim lessons, youth programs, sports leagues, group fitness classes, tutorial programs and more, the YMCA of the Triangle changes lives. At the Y, families find more connection, more opportunity and more hope.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Basketball and volleyball were both invented at the Y.
• Night school and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes began at the Y.
• The world’s first indoor pool was at a Y, and the concept of group swim lessons started at the Y.
• The United Service Organizations (USO) was created with help from the Y, and the Peace Corps was patterned after a Y program.
• Father’s Day was created at a Y.
Today, our community is a better place thanks to our YMCA. Volunteers and visionary leaders continue to ensure that the YMCA makes the community better tomorrow through programs and services that meet the region's changing needs.
