Today, 6th June, YMCAs across the globe celebrate that at just 22 years old, George Williams founded the movement which is now the oldest and largest youth charity in the world.
The YMCA here in Scarborough and the Coast was one of the early branches, being founded just two years after the first in London. Today, YMCA Yorkshire Coast continues George Williams mission of improving the lives of young people.
180 years to the day, YMCA has grown to serve more than 65 million people across 120 countries, regardless of age, race, gender, religon, sexual orientation or socio-economic background, rooted in our inclusive Christian values.
As the founding movement, YMCA England & Wales is proud to support 375,197 young people across 669 locations, made possible by more than 3,900 incredible members of staff and 1,900+ dedicated volunteers, each of whom enable YMCA to operate as it does today.
Liam Downey, Chief Executive of YMCA Yorkshire Coast said: “I am so proud to the leader of the current Custodians of our YMCA who work hard to make the world a better place for young people who live on the Yorkshire Coast. We are part of a large heritage which with the help of our local community, will be here to support generations to come”
The YMCA on the Yorkshire Coast provides youth work through the creative arts as well as providing a venue for training and education.
“Looking back over our 180 years, I’m struck by the consistency of YMCA’s approach to support.” says Denise Hatton, National Secretary of YMCA England and Wales, “From our efforts in World War II, both on the front line and within communities at home, to tackling to a more recent threat in the ongoing housing crisis, YMCA continually serves as a beacon of hope in times of turmoil.”
“Because today, as local, national and global challenges continue to test those we serve to the limit, YMCA matters more than ever.”
