The YMCA (Young Men's Christen Association) is a world-wide Christian, voluntary
movement for women and men with special emphasis on the involvement of young
people. It seeks to build a human community of justice with love, peace, and
reconciliation. Founded in 1844, it now works through 14,000 local associations and
45,000,000 members in 122 countries. YMCAs are the largest not-for-profit community
service organizations in America, working to meet the health and social needs of 17.5
million men, women and children. YMCAs are for people of all faiths, races, abilities,
ages and incomes. No one is turned away for inability to pay. YMCAs' strength is in the
All communities have different needs, so all YMCAs are different. A YMCA may
offer child care or teen leadership clubs. A YMCA in the next town may have swimming
lessons or drawing classes. Every YMCA makes its own decisions on what programs to
The YMCAs mission is expressed in its motto taken from the Bible "That they
may all be one" (John 17:21), and the Paris Basis, which emphasizes two main purposes
working for "unity" and working for the establishment of "the Kingdom of God" on
earth, that is, working for a society characterized by justice, peace and love according to
Commitment to its mission has led YMCAs to work with all people in the
community. This commitment has also led the YMCA to work for social change,
addressing the root causes of issues and problems faced by people. In addition to
recreation, sports and educational activities as well as the front-line services to refugees
and displaced people, in many countries the YMCA is also engaged in the formation of
movements for social change. It is involved in people's issues through community
organizing and programs for empowering the people.
The Grant County YMCAs facilities and programs are ...