Celebrating 180 years of the Worldwide YMCA Movement

Colombia (YMCA Cali)

Ethiopia, 1994, a mission to the community

Ghana (Ho-Central YMCA) Clean-up activities are an important part of the program

India (Shangpung YMCA North East India) 20 April 2024 Big clean-up day featuring tree planting and discussions on climate change

India (YMCA Bhedaghat), developing a kitchen garden

India, 2000, development workshop organised by YMCA Asia Pacific

India, 2024, the Asia Pacific Climate Action Challenge, Shangpung YMCA (2)

India, 2024, the Asia Pacific Climate Action Challenge, Shangpung YMCA

Kenya (YMCA Kisumu) (2)

Kenya (YMCA Kisumu)

Kenya (YMCA Mombasa) (2)

Kenya (YMCA Mombasa) (3)

Kenya (YMCA Mombasa)

Mexico, 2024, Camp Camohmila – the last night

Mexico, 2024, Camp Camohmila children rest after a day helping their communities

New Zealand (Hamilton Recreation Centre The YMCA North Inc)

Nigeria (YMCA Lagos)

Philippines, 2022, YMCA Davao humanitarian programmes

South Africa (YMCA Athlone)

South Africa (YMCA Athlone)

South Sudan, 2014

Spain, Young people sharing the YMCA mission and recruiting volunteers

Zambia

Europe, 1980, a YMCA Europe Camp F’hllia , Germany

Europe, 1984 – a YMCA Europe youth workshop

Kosovo, 2018 – Young people breaking ground at Camp Pjetershan

Mr.Liu Liangmo, Secretary of National Council of YMCAs of China promotes Singing Activity——March of the Volunteers, in 1936

Japan, 1918, Members of the Bible class held at Fraternal Secretary Mr. Brown’s house

Philippines (YMCA Manila), 2024

Philippines, 2007, YMCA Albay Revival meeting

South Africa, 1996, Cape Town Bible study

Colombia (YMCA Cali), established 1984

Argentina, 1912, laying the cornerstone of the first owned headquarters

Aruba, 1988, Women's Conference at YMCA World Council

Asia Pacific, 1974, the Asia Pacific YMCA Consultation on International Cooperation in Baguio, Philippines (2)

Asia Pacific, 1974, the Asia Pacific YMCA Consultation on International Cooperation in Baguio, Philippines

Asia Pacific, 2023, 5th Youth Assembly of the Asia Pacific YMCA in Chennai, India

Bangladesh (YMCA Bogra), 2024, Celebrating the 45th anniversary

Brazil (YMCA Rio de Janeiro)

East Jerusalem, 1983, Summer Day Camp

Ethiopia, 1951, Emperor Haile Selassie inaugurates YMC Ethiopia

Ethiopia, 1970s, YMCA young people in high level UN Meeting

Greece (YMCA Thessaloniki), 2021 centennial

Hong Kong, 2010, YMCA World Council

Hungary, 2023, 140th anniversary

Hungary, a collage from 1883

India (Ballari Rural YMCA) Young people attend Asia Pacific YMCA’s 5th youth assembly

India, 1937, the first YMCA World Council outside Europe and North America, in Mysore

Ireland, 1893, All-Ireland Conference, Londonderry

Ireland, 2019, the 170th anniversary in Dublin

Korea (Wonju YMCA) 2000 Youth Korean Peninsula Unification Campaign

Korea (Wonju YMCA), 1973 Inaugural general meeting

Macau, 1998, YMCA Macau moves into new premises

Macau, 2017, YMCA receives Medal for Distinguished Community Service

Macau, 2019, YMCA marks its 25th anniversary

Malta, 1989, YMCA Europe’s Terry Ratcliffe inaugurates YMCA Malta premises

Malta, 1999, YMCA festival, Valletta

Mongolia, 2016, The Coffee Shop opens with support from YMCA USA

Mongolia, 2023, YMCA Mongolia marks its 10th anniversary

Nigeria (Mada Hills), 60th anniversary

Philippines (YMCA Nueva Caceres Camarines Sur), 2014, inauguratio

Scotland (Broughty Ferry YMCA), 1920s Remembrance March

Scotland, 1919, Scottish National Union of YMCAs

South Sudan, 2014, the first YMCA-banner

Ukraine

Ukraine, 2011, YMCA Inter-regional Programme Fair, Kyiv

Uruguay (YMCA-ACJ)

USA (YMCA Rockies), 1981, YMCA World Council (2)

USA (YMCA Rockies), 1981, YMCA World Council

Y Care International, 2022, Re-launching at YMCA World Council, Aarhus - “Putting YMCAs and communities in the driving seat”

Zambia

Australia – from the Y Australia archives.

Kosovo, 2022, signing the Gold Book as YMCA Kosovo becomes a World YMCA member at World Council in Aarhus

In October 2018, Shanghai YMCA held YMCA WUN (World Urban Network ). It was the first time that YMCA WUN was held in China.

Africa, YMCA Executive Committee, 2009

Africa, YMCA Officers, 2002-2006

Argentina, 1959, leadership training

Asia Pacific YMCA, 2022, Advanced Studies Course on Vision 2030, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Asia Pacific YMCA, 2023, 5th Youth Assembly in Chennai, India

Egypt

Hong Kong (Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong), 2001, The first cohort of Youth Leadership Development (YLD) programme

India (Ballari Rural YMCA), 2023, National Leadership Conference, Shillong

India (Ballari Rural YMCA), Young people attend the National Youth Assembly in Sattal

India (Bombay YMCA), 2023, Hiroshima YMCA International Youth Peace Seminar

India (Bombay YMCA), 2023, Youth Peace Seminar (2)

India (Bombay YMCA), 2023, Youth Peace Seminar

Kenya, 1914 Meeting of the first Kenya YMCA Council

Kenya, 1975 National Executive Committee

Malta, 1999, YMCA festival, Valletta

Mongolia, 2019, young volunteers give 175 minutes each to mark the global Movement’s 175 years

Nigeria (Mada Hills), 2022 (2)

Nigeria (Mada Hills), 2022 (3)

Nigeria (Mada Hills), 2022

Philippines (YMCA Nueva Caceres Camarines Sur), 2024

Philippines, 1971, YMCA Davao delegates in Mindanao

Scotland (Kirkcaldy YMCA), 2021, new satellite Gallatown Community Hub

Scotland, 2013, delegation at Prague Festival

South Africa (YMCA Cape Town), 1950

Ukraine, 2005, meeting of YMCA Presidents

Zambia, 2012, National Council of YMCAs AGM, Kitwe

Cambodia

Canada, 1967, the first time individual Associations sponsored specific overseas projects as part of their ‘World Service’ activities

Canada, The YMCA Playing to Learn™ curriculum helps children up to age 6. In 2006, the curriculum was rolled out to licensed YMCA Child Care Centres

Jericho

Philippines (YMCA Manila), 2023, Francisco Balagtas Elementary School

Philippines, 1954, YMCA Albay youth conference

Philippines, 1969, YMCA Davao Youth Seminar

Singapore, 1962, a shorthand class

Singapore, 2000, Project Bridge supports school leavers

Spain, children at a YMCA event

Spain, volunteers working with children

Sweden, YMCA has offered informal education initiatives to aid job searches

USA, 1920s, employment office at YMCA Brooklyn, NY

Y Care International, 2019, the Community of Impact on Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship

Asia Pacific YMCA, 1974, Rev. Soo Min Lee (R) at the Asia Pacific YMCA Consultation on International Cooperation

Australia (YMCA Whittlesea), 2022, the youngest delegate at World Council in Aarhus, Denmark Max Jurisch

Brazil (YMCA-ACM Sao Paulo), founded in 1902, the YMCA’s first membership card

India (Kayamkulam YMCA), 1999, Founder’s Day celebration in London with General Secretary Judson

Japan, 1949, John R. Mott's 10th and last visit - Gotemba near Mt. Fuji

Kenya First National chairman, YMCA Kenya

Nigeria (Mada Hills), 2024, Gabriel Banjoko ‘will be a volunteer until Jesus comes’

Scotland, 1981, Jim Love (World YMCA Presdient) and Jim Thomson (World YMCA Refugee Secretary) make a Scottish toast at World Council

Uruguay

USA (YMCA Rockies), 1986, Mother Teresa addresses a Catholic youth conference at YMCA Estes Park

Kosovo, 2013 – The first Leadership group in Gjakova

Brazil (YMCAACM Sao Paulo) Founded in 1902 - the YMCA’s first building

USA (YMCA of Greater Kansas City), 1920, the Negro National League was founded when Black baseball team owners from 8 organizations met at the Paseo YMCA

USA (YMCA of Florida’s First Coast), 1946, the Johnson Y opens

USA (YMCA of Florida’s First Coast), 1908, a 7-storey building opens in Jacksonville

Taiwan, the first YMCA branch

Sweden (KFUK-KFUM Central), first foundations

Sweden (KFUK-KFUM Central), 1970, a new home for a joint movement

South Africa, Cape Town, 1961-2024

South Africa (YMCA Athlone) From D-6 to Kewtown

Slovakia, 1930s

Slovakia, 1930s (2)

Slovakia, 1924, constructing the first YMCA building in Europe with the help of YMCA USA

Scotland (Kirkcaldy YMCA) Kirkcaldy YMCA’s first home, from 1895 until 1952 – a period of great societal change

Scotland (Kirkcaldy YMCA) 1956 The YMCA opened new premises in the town’s residential heart

Scotland (Broughty Ferry YMCA) 1950s The YMCA’s main building

Philippines, Manila, 1907

New Zealand, Hamilton

Jerusalem International

Jerusalem International, the 3 Arches Hotel

Ireland, 1916, Dublin - the scars of conflict

Hungary

Salisbury Road; 1922-24; The Development of the YMCA Movement in

China, Guangzhou YMCA

England & Wales, 1901 – First YMCA hostel officially opened in Cardiff_ Sir George Williams laid the Foundation Stone

former headquarter of the National Council of YMCAs of China

Australia (Y New South Wales) (2)

Australia (Y New South Wales)

Brazil (YMCA Rio de Janeiro) (2)

Brazil (YMCA Rio de Janeiro)

Brazil (YMCA-ACM Sao Paulo), founded in 1902, developing futsal

China, Guangzhou

Czech Republic, 1936, before a ban on the national YMCA from 1939-1989

East Jerusalem, 1965

Egypt (2)

Egypt

Ethiopia, 1970s, YMCA women’s basketball team

Ghana (YMCA Ho-Central)

India (Kayamkulam YMCA) ~1995 Inaugurating the Inter State YMCA Basketball tournament, Kerala

India (National Council of YMCAs of India), young football players and kabbaddi (Indian traditional sport) players

India, Faridabad Sports project, young football and kabbaddi players

India

Japan, 1917, the Tokyo YMCA gymnasium

Jerusalem International

Kenya (Kisumu YMCA)

Korea (Wonju YMCA), 1999, Youth basketball tournament

Mexico, 2018, YMCA Sports Club Mallorca

India, 1924, YMCA India College of Physical Education founder Harry Buck coaches at the Paris Olympics

Philippines (YMCA Manila), 1912, the first basketball league

Philippines, 1969, YMCA Albay swimming pool inaugurated

Scotland (Broughty Ferry YMCA), 1895, Gymnastics team

Singapore, 1920, the first public swimming pool built by the YMCA

South Africa, Cape Town, 1911

South Sudan, 2014, the first YMCA football team, Juba

Uruguay

Taiwan, swimming training

India, Sports Meeting

Canada, 1866 – 1946, YMCA War Services provided support to troops serving abroad - moral support, tea & biscuits, equipment

New Zealand (Hamilton Recreation Centre, The YMCA North Inc)

Ukraine (YMCA Zaporizhja region), 2024, supporting those affected by war with life skills (2)

Ukraine (YMCA Zaporizhja region), 2024, supporting those affected by war with life skills (3)

Ukraine (YMCA Zaporizhja region), 2024, supporting those affected by war with life skills

USA, 1861-1865, first supply base of the US Christian Commission in the Civil War

USA, 1885-1910, kitchen at YMCA Camp Dudley, Westport, NY

England & Wales, 1945 – At the start of WWII, YMCA developed mobile canteens.

Australia, 1942, North Africa – from the Y Australia archives

Europe, 2022 – YMCA Europe leaders visit the border between Ukraine and Romania where the YMCA was working as a first-responder

Ghana, 1960, YMCA anniversary celebrations reported in the Ghana Times

Ghana, 1977

Ghana, 1980s, more press coverage in the Junior Graphic

India

Italy, 1906

Italy, 1939

Italy, 1952

USA (YMCA Greater Tri-Valley), 2002, a nomination at the Feel Good Film Festival

Australia – from the Y Australia archives