Ymca Buildings And Resident Camps example essay topic

The YMCA The YMCA has a very clear and concise mission statement. Their mission is 'to put Christian principles into practice through programs th ta build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all'. The YMCA is the nation's largest not-for-profit community service organization in America. With more than 2,500 YMCAs, they are able to meet the health and social service needs of 18.9 million men, women and children in over 10,000 communities in the United States. No one is turned away from the Y. It is a place for people fo all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. Inability to pay is never a reason for the YMCA to turn someone away.

Their strength lies in fulfilling their goal of bringing people together. Not every community is the same. Therefore, each YMCA is different to these differing needs. The YMCA in your community may offer child care or teen leadership clubs. In the next town over, swimming lessons or drawing lessons may be of bigger concern. Every Y makes the ri won decisions based on the needs of the community around them.

They decide which programs to offer and how to operate. The YMCA was founded in London, England, in 1844 by George Williams and some friends who lived and worked as clerks in a drapery, a forerunner of department stores. Their goal was to help young men like themselves find God. The first members were evangelical Protestants who prayed and studied the Bible as an alternative to vice.

The first U.S. YMCA was started in Boston in 1851, the work of Thomas Sullivan, a retired sea captain and lay missionary. From Boston, YMCAs spread rapidly across America, many of which started opening their doors to boys and men of all ages. Some YMCAs were started to serve specific groups such as railroad and factory workers, as well as African Americans, Native Americans and recent immigrants. After World War II, women and girls we readmitted to full membership and participation. Today, half of all YMCA members are female, and half are underage 18.

The YMCA even stretches beyond the United States! Currently, more than 120 countries around the world have YMCA communities. This is an outreach program which serves more than 45 million people. About 230 U.S. YMCAs maintain relationships with Ys in other countries in order to keep their promise to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities -- worldwide. YMCAs have played a significant role in the history of America. YMCAs invented basketball, volleyball and racquetball, and pioneered camping, physical fitness and swimming lessons.

YMCAs helped found the USO, Boy Scouts of America and Camp Fire Girls. YMCA volunteers provided support and services to millions of soldiers in many major wars, including the Civil War, World War I and World War II. In 2001, In the average YMCA, a volunteer board sets policy for its executive, who manages the operation with staff and volunteer leaders. Ys meet local community needs through organized activities called programs. In its own way, every nurtures the healthy development of children and teens; strengthens families; and makes its community a healthier, safer, better place to live. YMCA programs are tools for building the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

Longtime leaders in community-based health and fitness and aquatics, Yst each kids to swim, offer exercise classes for people with disabilities and lead adult aerobics. They also offer hundreds of other programs in response to community needs, including camping, child care (the Y movement is the nation's largest provider), teen clubs, environmental programs, substance abuse prevention, youth sports, family nights, mentoring, job training, international exchange and many more. In 2002, a total of 972 member YMCAs (also called corporate Ys) operated 1,568 branches, units and camps. These 2,540 Ys were run by 54,550 volunteer policymakers serving on Y boards and committees, plus 569,665 volunteer program leaders and uncounted other volunteers, all of whom worked with paid professional staff members. These volunteers and staff members worked not only out of YMCA buildings and resident camps but also out of rented quarters, parks and playgrounds. Some Ys have no building at all.

YMCAs had total revenue of $4.2 billion from these sources: 31.5% fees paid to take part in Y programs; 34%membership dues; 17% charitable contributions; 5% fees paid for resident camping and for staying in Y rooms and other living quarters; 11.5% government contracts and foundation grants; 1% miscellaneous.