Many of todays fitness trends can be traced back to the pioneering programs of the ymca. In 1844 those ideas came to fruition with the establishment of the young mens christian association, otherwise known as the ymca. Joyce tanac schroeder memories of seattle ymca sept. In 1876 catherine maynard gathered a group of young seattle pioneers, including dexter horton and rolland denny, to. About the ymca history our history in 1876, seattle pioneers dexter horton, rolland denny, and catherine maynard began meeting regularly to discuss strengthening their rapidly growing community, especially for the young. Seattle ymca vintage signs, seattle, typography, christian, usa, history, city. In 1998, the y completed an extension and renovation project that resulted in a 55,000 square foot full facility. Originally a group met in the early 1970s to discuss the idea of a ymca and in 1982, an exploratory committee was formed, but the recession hit hard and the person heading up the group moved away. The same spirit of collaboration that united seattles first families has been passed from generation to generation, as the y continues to nurture youth, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility. Ymca wanakita overnight camp opens in haliburton in 1953. It was established in 1904 in keeping with the values and beliefs of the international ymca movement and for many years provided a youth facility for young men in and around kilmarnock, utilising premises in titchfield street, howard street and seaforth street before. Please view the following links of ymca history in canada on the ymca canada website. Ywcas formation ywca seattle king snohomish originally called seattle young womens christian association was founded in 1894 by a group of women, led by rees daniels.
In the foreground is the ymca building, which has landmark status. The ymca of greater seattle strengthens communities in king and south snohomish counties through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We know that lasting personal and social change comes about when we all work together. This file part one of a fourpart historylink essay on the history of the. Thats why, at the y, weve been strengthening our community since 1855 in mclean county. A history in pictures of the ymca in the united states hinding, andrea on. Today it is the largest ymca camp in canada providing camp experiences for children and families. A strong history of building community the ymca of the north shore is comprised of seven local ymcas that have joined together or been developed over the last decade and a half to create one ymca association. Ywca was the first organization to introduce the positive health concept and sex education in all health programming.
About downtown seattle ymca ymca of greater seattle. The ys mens service clubs have been invaluable supporters of the cannon memorial ymca since the first club initiated in kannapolis on march 17, 1941. Ymca became associated for christ from 18011900 church history timeline. The hartsville ymca began in 1985 as a shoestring operation with one employee and some used equipment. The tacoma ymca was organized in 1883 and has provided continuous service since that time. Through numerous transformations, the ymca of greater richmond has offered lasting benefits to the city and communities it serves. Young mens christian association ymca of greater seattle part.
It was also an organization with a long history of reinventing. Ymca history project university of minnesota libraries. Today, it is a familyoriented institution welcoming all to develop their spiritual, mental and physical gifts. Which means an unparalleled selection of classes and activitieseverything from personal training to foreign language classes to summer campis out there, just waiting for you and your family to explore. The organization grew quickly and the historic fourstory building that sits at the corner of 9th and austin was built in 1948. Check out the latest news articles about all the exciting things happening at all our y locations.
A history in pictures of the ymca in the united states. The ymca of brockville and area anniversary booklet is available free of charge. On august 7, 1876, they formally established the ymca of greater seattle. The young men s christian association was founded in london, england, on june 6, 1844, in response to unhealthy social conditions arising in the big cities at the end of the industrial revolution roughly 1750 to 1850.
One london newcomer, george williams, dreamed of a more wholesome gathering place for these young industrial workers with the idea that, given a suitable alternative, they would steer clear of londons underbelly. Ymca history, were living our cause and telling our stories of impact in strategic and. Mott club was chartered in october 1946 and the henry grimes club was chartered in 1955. The ymca of northwest north carolina has decided to end its reciprocal membership agreement with the ywca of winstonsalem and forsyth county, effective february 1, 2020. Ellis put it in the 1970 annual report, beset with problems, seeking new challenges and opportunities, striving to be with it it was also an organization with a long history of adapting to changing conditions. This building was the original downtown location, but has now been restored and turned into condos. The new name and sole survivor of the renowned acronym is simply the y.
In an effort to bring fitness and a familyfriendly environment to downtown st. In 1889, hamilton ymca at james and jackson streets made history as the first building on the continent built specifically for ymca work. History about us marshfield clinic health system ymca. Ymca, sometimes regionally called the y, is a worldwide youth organisation based in geneva, switzerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries. Originally, the seattle ymca interpreted its mission in strictly religious terms, offering bible study and.
After school clubs registration university family ymca. It was founded on 6 june 1844 by sir george williams in london, originally as the young men s christian association and aims to put christian principles into practice by developing a healthy body, mind, and spirit. Use the links below to register for programs by location. Behind that, to the right, is the fourth and madison building and to. A history of the ymca of greater seattle washington secretary of. The ymca of greater seattle strengthens communities in king and south snohomish counties through youth. It was founded on 6 june 1844 by sir george williams in london, originally as the young mens christian association and aims to put christian principles into practice by developing a healthy body, mind, and spirit. South sound ymcas newest location a story of revitalization. Milestones in the history of african americans and the ymca. The young mens christian association we regard as being, in its essential genius, a worldwide fellowship of men and boys united by a common loyalty to jesus christ for.
As a result, members of the ymca and ywca will no longer be able to utilize the other organizations locations as an added benefit. If you look above the entrance you can see where the ymca was chipped off. A view a detailed profile of the structure 187652 including further data and descriptions in the emporis database. Metrocenter ymca hosts seattles first cityfair beginning. A project at the fauntleroy ymca wsb sponsor gym has opened the door to revisiting history involving a window. A new community of the book begins in seattle crosscut.
Free personalized wellness plan with a health coach. Y history y history over the years, our ymcas responded to the changing needs of our communities, serving men, women, boys and girls of all faiths, races, ages, abilities, and incomes. Its original intent was merely to work with employees. The ymca in the united states today, the y engages more than 10,000 neighborhoods across the u. From june 6 to 11, 1980, the metrocenter branch of the young mens christian association hosts cityfair, a fiveday event intended to help. This led to his starting negro history week, the forerunner of todays black history month.
The young men s christian association we regard as being, in its essential genius, a worldwide fellowship of men and boys united by a common loyalty to jesus christ for. After a bit of a dry spell and due to putting myself out there, today marks the first time i have taken a group exercise class available to all members and at no cost. When the downtown ymca closes the doors, it will be the end of nearly 70 years of affordable housing in central houston. The ymca of northwest north carolina has since added faith to its list of core values. Young mens christian association ymca of greater seattle. Your membership gives you access to all 14 greater seattle area branches, as well as every ymca in washington state. The richmond ymca began as a fellowship society and bible study group for young evangelical males. Ymcas in our association date back to the 1850s, beginning with the salem ymca. In his history of seattles libraries, place of learning, place of dreams. History of great miami valley ymca the great miami valley ymca association includes 6 branches, 1 camp, 4 full time childrens centers, and numerous before and after school childcare centers and still growing. The ymca in kilmarnock has been around for over 100 years and is very much embedded in kilmarnock culture. A history of the ymca of greater seattle this information is provided courtesy of monica elenbaas, assistant vice president of ymca of seattle.
This resource for all ymca staff provides a host of services to assist in individual and organizational development and learning. This collectors book features the memories of seattle from the late 1800s through 1939 in historic photographs. A scant two years after it was born, the seattle ymca was operating a library with books inherited from the seattle library association, sponsoring lectures and socials, and maintaining an informal employment agency, in addition to conducting twiceweekly bible classes and prayer meetings. A history of the ymca of greater seattle legacy washington. This program will allow you to implement a historic preservation program at your ymca via a toolkit. Volunteer founded and volunteer led, the ymca was established in london, england, in 1844 by george williams, a drapers shop assistant, to give young men an alternative to life on the streets timeline. In 1876 catherine maynard gathered a group of young seattle pioneers, including dexter horton and rolland denny, to discuss concerns over the future of their city. Neighbor news hoover students produce documentary on north canton ymca history. This has been the polestar of the seattle ymca, through gold rush and. Volunteer founded and volunteer led, the ymca was established in london, england, in 1844 by george williams, a drapers shop assistant, to give young men an alternative to life on the streets.
Learn about historical christian events within church history. Leave your kids with us for active and engaging fun. Enrichment at jane addams middle school after school programs everyone is welcome. The building has been restored and is now used as condominiums. As the nation s leading nonprofit committed to helping people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, our contributions are both farreaching and intimatefrom influencing our nation s culture during times of profound social change to. Originally it was housed in this building, built in 1906. This is based on a statement by one observer in 1869 that brooklyn had had women as members for half of its existence. The wichita falls ymca first opened its doors in 1944 in the middle of a strip of downtown businesses. Ywca was the first industrial federation of clubs to train girls in selfgovernment. Today, the ymca movement has spread to 124 countries around the world, supporting and influencing the lives of 21 million men, women and children of all backgrounds. Which means an unparalleled selection of classes and activitieseverything from personal training to foreign language classes to summer campis. The ymca is a 501c3 nonprofit social services organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Ymca downtown is a 8story lowrise building in seattle, washington, u.
Seattle waterfront with ymca in the background, 1887. Hoover students produce documentary on north canton ymca. The result was a new effort to promote the ymcas commitment to four core values. The ymca of greater seattle set up its first permanent camping home in 1906 on a property on orcas island, starting what would later be named camp orkila. In 1988, it moved to its current location in the historic coker department store building. What once was born as the young mens christian association, a bible study group founded in london in 1844, is now something else entirely.
Questions related to covid19 ymca of greater seattle. Gym membership includes access to amenities like pilates reformer, warm yoga, cuttingedge strength training, virtual reality workouts, an aquatic center with a lap pool and more. My dancing school friend and future seattle y gymnast, louise grant, was with. Take advantage of kids zone programs while you work out. The downtown ymca at the mx has returned to its original roots. Mar 14, 2001 young mens christian association ymca of greater seattle part 3. West seattle blog reinforcement reveals history at. In 1994 the ymca created the character development theme in response to declining morality and lack of values education. The downtown ymca has been a part of the seattle landscape for almost as long as seattle has been a city. Carter woodson organizes the association for the study of negro life and history at the wabash avenue ymca in chicago. Fesperman club in honor of the founder, a former ymca ceo. Jun 09, 2008 the tacoma ymca was organized in 1883 and has provided continuous service since that time. This essay is part 2 of a fourpart historylink essay on the history of the ymca. Downtown seattle ymca blog all the information you need.
The early history of women in the ymca is not well documented, although it is believed that the first female member of a ymca joined in brooklyn, ny, in the late 1850s. Pcad young mens christian association ymca, building. The purpose of the organization at the time was to provide services for women in need looking to establish selfsupport and stability, a guiding principle that would shape the organizations mission for years to come. First incorporated in 1876 by dexter horton and other prominent city leaders, the y has continued to grow and adapt in order to meet the evolving needs of a growing city. What once was born as the young men s christian association, a bible study group founded in london in 1844, is now something else entirely. This information is provided courtesy of monica elenbaas, assistant vice president of ymca of seattle.
About the ymca of greater seattle ymca of greater seattle. Learn about the ymca of greater seattle who we are, our mission, our history and leadership. On this day june 6, 1844, twelve men, all but one associates of williams firm, met in his bedroom and created the young men s christian association. The young mens christian association was founded in london, england, on june 6, 1844, in response to unhealthy social conditions arising in the big cities at the end of the industrial revolution roughly 1750 to 1850. Ywca began offering bilingual instruction to help immigrant women. The douglas dayton ymca at gaviidae in downtown minneapolis, mn offers personal training, group exercise classes, swim lessons and communitybuilding programs. Fouth and madison building and ywca, downtown seattle. The chesapeake summer school moves to harpers ferry, west va. On monday, the ymca changed its name, leaving behind a 166year history. Afterschool programs through the ymca offer fun and enriching activities designed to explore hidden talents, promote self. The archives with the support of yusa and the yretirement fund are pleased to announce the ymca history project. Ymca national history about us marshfield clinic health. Our vision when the first ymca was established in 1844 in london, england, its mission was to promote positive christian values and healthy behaviors and activities.