Sir George Williams University was a university in Montreal , Quebec , Canada. It merged with Loyola College to create Concordia University on August 24, 1974.
59-789: In 1851, the first YMCA in North America was established on Sainte-Hélène Street in Old Montreal. Beginning in 1873, the YMCA offered evening classes to allow working people in the English-speaking community to pursue their education while working during the day. Sixty years later, the Montreal YMCA relocated to its current location on Stanley Street in Downtown Montreal . In 1926, the education program at
118-477: A draper 's shop and became a member of the King's Weigh House Congregational Church , using his time for evangelisation. After three years, in 1844, Williams was promoted to department manager. He married the owner George Hitchcock's daughter, Helen Jane Maunder Hitchcock in 1853, and was taken into partnership at the drapers, renaming to George Hitchcock, Williams & Co. When Hitchcock died in 1863, Williams became
177-488: A "careless, thoughtless, godless, swearing young fellow". For unknown reasons, his family sent him to Bridgwater to be an apprentice at Henry William Holmes' draper shop. In 1837, Williams converted from Anglicanism to Congregationalism . He went to the Zion Congregational Church and became an involved member. In 1841, he went to London and worked as an apprentice at Hitchcock & Rogers,
236-406: A 99-year lease on the site, and it was only when it expired that the college moved to East Lansing, Michigan . Youngstown State University traces its roots to the establishment of a law school by the local YMCA in 1908. The Nashville School of Law was YMCA Night Law School until November 1986, having offered law classes since 1911 and the degree of Juris Doctor since January 1927. YMCA pioneered
295-454: A Chicago-area YMCA administrator, worked at YMCA while also becoming the BSA's first director. In 1916, K. T. Paul became the first Indian national general secretary of India. Paul had started rural development programs for self-reliance of marginal farmers, through co-operatives and credit societies. These programmes became very popular. He also coined the term "rural reconstruction", and many of
354-899: A curriculum to begin teaching cave diving . In 1973, the Sixth World Council in Kampala , Uganda, became the first World Council in Africa, hosted by Uganda YMCA . It reaffirmed the Paris Basis and adopted a declaration of principles, known as the Kampala Principles. It include the principles of justice, creativity and honesty. It stated what had become obvious: that a global viewpoint was more necessary. It also recognized that YMCA and its national member organizations would have to take political stands, particularly in international challenges and crises. In 1976, YMCA of
413-542: A delegation who hold a number of votes, which are dependent on the financial turnover of that National Council. The World Council is "responsible for setting the policies and direction of the World YMCA, electing its Officers and Executive Committee, evaluating the work of the last four years, and deliberating on priorities for the next quadrennium". The most recent World Council took place in 2022 in Aarhus , Denmark, and
472-404: A group of 11 fellow drapers in the living quarters of Hitchcock & Rogers to create a place that would not tempt young men into sin. They were James Smith (from W D Owen drapers), Christopher. W Smith, Norton Smith, Edward Valentine, Edward Beaumont, M Glasson, William Creese, Francis John Crockett, E Rogers, John Harvey and John C Symons. The name, Young Men's Christian Association ( YMCA ),
531-623: A group of Black students occupied the Henry F. Hall Building 's 9th floor computer lab to protest alleged racism by the university. This protest was documented in the 2015 film The Ninth Floor by director Mina Shum. The Sir George Williams Georgians were the Canadian Interuniversity Athletics Union teams that represented Sir George Williams University. Shortly after Sir George Williams merged with Loyola College to create Concordia University in 1974,
590-578: A role that similar to that of a CEO. At each stage of the affiliation process, there are usually membership fees paid by local YMCAs to the central organization. Ever since the first World Conference in August 1855, in Paris , the World YMCA has convened a World Conference, later renamed the World Council, every three to four years and is YMCA's highest decision making forum. Every National Council sends
649-450: A variety of recreational, cultural, leadership, academic, and social skills for development. Multiple colleges and universities have historically had connections to YMCA. Springfield College , of Springfield, Massachusetts, was founded in 1885 as an international training school for YMCA Professionals, while one of the two schools that eventually became Concordia University — Sir George Williams College —started from night courses offered at
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#1732786985991708-477: A wide variety of skills, promoting Christianity, and humanitarian work. YMCA is a non-governmental federation , with each independent local YMCA affiliated with its national organization. The national organizations, in turn, are part of both a geographically regional area alliance and the World Alliance of YMCA. YMCA programs vary between nations and regions, but are all based on the principles espoused in
767-704: Is buried in St Paul's Cathedral . Williams was born on a farm in Dulverton, Somerset , England, as the youngest of seven surviving sons of Amos Williams and Elizabeth Vickery. He was baptised into the Church of England . He came from several generations of farmers in Somerset , and attended Gloyn's in Tiverton, Devon until he was age 13, when he began working on his family farm. As a young man, he described himself as
826-472: Is derived from programme fees, membership dues, community chests, foundation grants, charitable contributions, sustaining memberships, corporate sponsors and other funding models used in the charitable sector. YMCA globally operates on a federation model with each independent local YMCA affiliated with its national organization, known as a National Council. The national organizations, in turn, are affiliated to both an Area Alliance, including Europe, Asia Pacific,
885-562: The Freedom of the City of London . After his death in 1905, he was commemorated by a stained-glass window in the nave of Westminster Abbey . Sir George Williams is buried in St Paul's Cathedral . Sir George Williams University in Montreal , which was founded by YMCA, was named in commemoration of Williams; it was later merged into Concordia University , with its former campus retaining
944-635: The International Committee of the Red Cross and win the first Nobel Peace Prize . Dunant successfully convinced YMCA Paris to organise the first YMCA World Conference. The Conference took place in August 1855, bringing together 99 young delegates from nine countries, held before the Exposition Universelle (1855) . They discussed joining in a federation to enhance cooperation amongst individual YMCA societies. This marked
1003-727: The Montreal YMCA. Northeastern University began out of a YMCA in Boston , and Franklin University began as YMCA School of Commerce. San Francisco's Golden Gate University traces its roots to the founding of YMCA Night School on 1 November 1881. Detroit College of Law , now the Michigan State University College of Law , was founded with a strong connection to the Detroit , Michigan YMCA. It had
1062-636: The Paris Basis . The YMCA is a parachurch organization based on Protestant values. Similar organizations include the YWCA , and the Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA). In popular culture, the YMCA is the subject of the 1978 song " Y.M.C.A. " by the Village People . The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) was founded on 6 June 1844, by George Williams and eleven friends. Williams
1121-462: The Young Men's Christian Association . The organization aims to put Christian values into practice by developing a healthy body, mind, and spirit. From its inception, YMCA grew rapidly, ultimately becoming a worldwide movement founded on the principles of muscular Christianity . Local YMCAs deliver projects and services focused on youth development through a wide variety of youth activities, including providing athletic facilities, holding classes for
1180-542: The 1978 Village People song " Y.M.C.A. "). In 1940, there were about 100,000 rooms at YMCAs, more than any hotel chain. By 2006, YMCAs with residences had become relatively rare in the US, but many still remain. YMCAs offer classes in the visual arts , including ceramics, drawing, painting, and photography, the performing arts , including music, dance, and poetry, and literature , including reading, storytelling, and public readings. These programs are not offered at each YMCA but
1239-641: The 20th century, YMCA had "become interdenominational and more concerned with promoting morality and good citizenship than a distinctive interpretation of Christianity." Prior to the beginning of the American Civil War , YMCA provided nursing, shelter, and other support during wartime in the United States. In 1878, the World YMCA offices were established in Geneva , Switzerland by Dunant. Later, in 1900, North American YMCAs, in collaboration with
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#17327869859911298-476: The 21st World Council is scheduled for July 2026 in Toronto . YMCAs around the world offer various types of accommodation. In some places, this takes the form of budget accommodation available to the public such as youth hostels, or hotels, which, in turn, generate income for other charitable activities. In England and Wales , YMCAs offer supported accommodation for vulnerable and homeless young people. Until
1357-669: The Georgians and the Loyola Warriors were replaced by the Concordia Stingers . YMCA YMCA , sometimes regionally called the Y , is a worldwide youth organization based in Geneva , Switzerland, with more than 64 million beneficiaries in 120 countries. It has nearly 90,000 staff, some 920,000 volunteers and 12,000 branches worldwide. It was founded in London on 6 June 1844 by George Williams as
1416-586: The Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Mexico, the United States, and Canada, and the World YMCA. The World YMCA is the highest affiliation body. Each local, national and regional YMCA is independent of each other, but local, regional and international cooperation, partnerships and collaborations are part of the organizations work. Each National Council is led by a National General Secretary,
1475-544: The State Capitol for a day." George Williams (philanthropist) Sir George Williams (11 October 1821 – 6 November 1905) was an English philanthropist, businessman and founder of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). The oldest and largest youth charity in the world, its aim is to support young people to belong, contribute and thrive in their communities. Williams was knighted by Queen Victoria in her 1894 Birthday Honours . He died in 1905 and
1534-507: The USA appointed Violet King Henry to executive director to its Organizational Development Group, making her the first woman named to a senior management position with the American national YMCA. In 1985, the World Council of YMCAs passed a resolution against apartheid , and anti-apartheid campaigns were formed under the leadership of Lee Soo-Min ( Korea ), the first Asian secretary general of
1593-510: The USA rebranded its name to the popular nickname "The Y" and revised the iconic red and black logo to create five colored versions. Today, YMCAs are open to all, regardless of ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic background. During the 19th World Council meeting in 2018 in Chiang Mai, Carlos Sanvee from Togo became the first African and current Secretary General of World YMCA. During
1652-839: The United Kingdom in part thanks to the Great Exhibition of 1851, the first in a series of World's Fairs which was held in Hyde Park, London . Later that year there were YMCAs in Australia , Belgium , Canada , France , Germany , Hong Kong , the Netherlands , Switzerland , and the United States . The idea of creating a truly global movement with an international headquarters was led by Henry Dunant , Secretary of YMCA Geneva, who would later go on to found
1711-609: The United Kingdom's largest non-theatrical distribution companies. In 1947 the World YMCA gained special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council . In 1955 the first black President of the World YMCA, Charles Dunbar Sherman from Liberia, was elected. At 37 years, he was also the youngest president in World YMCA history. In 1959 YMCA of the USA developed the first nationally organized scuba diving course and certified their first skin and scuba diving instructors . By 1974, YMCA had set up
1770-563: The Victoria and Albert Hotel, Torquay , England, he was president for societies including Band of Hope , London City Mission , Railway Mission and YWCA . His funeral took place at St Paul's Cathedral on 14 November 1905, with 2,600 people in attendance and is commemorated with a bust atop his family vault at Highgate Cemetery (west). Appalled by the terrible conditions in London for young working men, on 6 June 1844 Williams gathered
1829-835: The World YMCA, set up centres to work with emigrants in European ports, as millions of people were leaving for the US. In 1880, in Norway, YMCA became the first national organization to adopt a strict policy of equal gender representation in committees and national boards. In 1885, Camp Baldhead (later known as Camp Dudley), the first residential camp in the United States and North America, was established by George A. Sanford and Sumner F. Dudley, both of whom worked for YMCA. The camp, originally located near Orange Lake in New Jersey , moved to Lake Wawayanda in Sussex County, New Jersey ,
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1888-606: The World YMCA. In 1998, the 14th World Council of YMCAs in Germany adopted "Challenge 21", intended to place more focus on global challenges, such as gender equality , sustainable development , war and peace, fair distribution, and the challenges of globalization , racism, and HIV/AIDS. In 2002, the World Council in Oaxtepec , Morelos , in Mexico, called for a peaceful solution to the Middle East crisis. On 12 July 2010, YMCA of
1947-483: The YMCA building until the construction of the Henry F. Hall Building in 1966. Following several years of discussions and planning, Sir George Williams University merged with Loyola College to create Concordia University in 1974. Concordia provided students with representative student organizations and greater power over administrative decisions at the university. The university gained international attention in 1969, when
2006-524: The YMCA created and led the Committee of Nîmes, also known as the Camps Committee, a group that gathered leaders from over twenty humanitarian organizations to coordinate advocacy for people in the internment camps, including helping children leave these camps to live in children's colonies or eventually escape to freedom. YMCA Motion Picture Bureau, renamed Association Films in 1946, was one of
2065-457: The YMCA was re-organized as Sir George Williams College, named after George Williams , founder of the original YMCA in London , upon which the Montreal YMCA was based. In 1934, Sir George Williams College offered the first undergraduate credit course in adult education in Canada. Sir George Williams College received its university charter from the provincial government in 1948, though it remained
2124-713: The beginning of the World Alliance of YMCAs. The conference adopted the Paris Basis , a common mission for all present and future national YMCAs. Its motto was taken from the Bible, " That they all may be one " ( John 17 :21). Other ecumenical bodies, such as the World YWCA , the World Council of Churches , and the World Student Christian Federation have reflected elements of the Paris Basis in their founding mission statements. In 1865,
2183-687: The camps to attend Springfield College and providing youth activities in the camps. In addition, YMCA was one of seven organizations that helped to found the USO . In Europe , YMCA helped refugees, particularly displaced Jews. Sometimes YMCA participated in escape operations. Mostly, however, its role was limited to providing relief packages to refugees. It was also involved in war work with displaced persons and refugees. It set up War Prisoners Aid to support prisoners of war by providing sports equipment, musical instruments, art materials, radios, gramophones , eating utensils, and other items. Donald A. Lowrie of
2242-588: The concept of night school , providing educational opportunities for people with full-time employment. Many YMCAs offer ESL programs, alternative high school , day care , and summer camp programs. In India , YMCA University of Science and Technology of Faridabad was founded in 1969. It offers various programs related to science and engineering. During the 1880s, the Cleveland YMCA began to offer day and evening courses to students who did not otherwise have access to higher education. The YMCA program
2301-518: The education arm of the Montreal YMCA. Sir George Williams expanded into its first standalone building, the Norris Building, in 1956. In 1959, the college requested that the Quebec legislature amend its university charter, changing its name to Sir George Williams University. It established a Centre for Human Relations and Community Studies in 1963. Sir George Williams continued to hold classes in
2360-474: The establishment in 1889 of Big Cove YMCA Camp in Merigomish, Nova Scotia . YMCAs offer child care, including supervised space for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children to stay and play while parents enjoy a workout. YMCA staff members are trained to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in their care so that parents can confidently pursue their fitness goals or take part in
2419-619: The first World Conference: the need to respect the local autonomy of YMCA societies, and the purpose of YMCA: to unite all young, male Christians for the extension and expansion of the Kingdom of God. The former idea is expressed in the preamble: The delegates of various Young Men's Christian Associations of Europe and America, assembled in Conference at Paris, the 22 August 1855 feeling that they are one in principle and in operation, recommend to their respective Societies to recognize with them
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2478-433: The first meeting that led to the founding of YMCA with the purpose of "the improving of the spiritual condition of young men engaged in the drapery, embroidery , and other trades." Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury served as YMCA's first president from 1851 until his death in 1885. By 1845, YMCA started a popular series of lectures that from 1848 were held at Exeter Hall , London, and started being published
2537-607: The following year, and then to the shore of Lake Champlain near Westport, New York , in 1891. YMCA was an early influence on scouting that began in the United Kingdom in 1907. The year after its inception by Robert Baden-Powell , the first scout troops met in the Nottingham and Birkenhead YMCA buildings. The YMCA would also influence the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and German Scouting . Edgar M. Robinson ,
2596-475: The following year, with the series running until 1865. YMCA was associated with industrialisation and the movement of young people to cities to work. YMCA "combined preaching in the streets and the distribution of religious tracts with a social ministry. Philanthropists saw them as places for wholesome recreation that would preserve youth from the temptations of alcohol, gambling, and prostitution and that would promote good citizenship." The YMCA spread outside
2655-434: The fourth World Conference of YMCAs, held in Germany, affirmed the importance of developing the whole individual in spirit, mind, and body. The concept of physical work through sports, a new concept for the time, was also recognized as part of this " muscular Christianity ". YMCA has cooperated with camping organizations, including Boy Scouts of America , Camp Fire , and Girl Scouts of the USA . Two themes resonated during
2714-409: The late 1950s, YMCAs in the United States were built with hotel-like rooms called residences or dormitories. These rooms were built with the young men in mind coming from rural America and many foreign-born young men arriving to the new cities. The rooms became a significant part of American culture , known as an inexpensive and safe place for a visitor to stay in an unfamiliar city (as, for example, in
2773-578: The military's morale and comfort operations worldwide. Irving Berlin wrote Yip Yip Yaphank , a revue that included a song entitled "I Can Always Find a Little Sunshine in the YMCA". Frances Gulick was a YMCA worker stationed in France during World War I who received a United States Army citation for valour and courage on the field. During World War II , YMCA was involved in supporting millions of POWs and in supporting Japanese Americans in internment camps . This help included helping young men leave
2832-607: The ones who have same to offer these programs give a benefit to their communities to give children a safe place to go to enjoy such activities. YMCA camping began in 1885 when Camp Baldhead (later known as Camp Dudley ) was established by G.A. Sanford and Sumner F. Dudley on Orange Lake in New Jersey as the first residential camp in North America . The camp later moved to Lake Champlain near Westport, New York . Camping also had early origins in YMCA movement in Canada with
2891-612: The principles he developed were later incorporated into the Indian's government nationwide community development programs. In 1923, Y. C. James Yen , of YMCA China, devised the "thousand character system", based on pilot projects in education. The method also became very popular, and in 1923, it led to the founding of the Chinese National Association of the Mass Education Movement. In 1878, YMCA
2950-511: The same World Council meeting, Patricia Pelton from Canada emerged as the first female President of World YMCA. YMCA's 175th anniversary in 2019 was celebrated with a global gathering of the organisation's young leaders at ExCeL London from 4 to 7 August, with 3,200 people from 100 countries. The event celebrated youth leadership, and elevated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals . It
3009-465: The sole owner of the firm. Hitchcock and Williams had 7 children, his son Albert, a solicitor would go on to marry the granddaughter of Thomas Cook . Williams's nephew John Williams married the only child of his lifelong London friend, Matthew Hodder, founder of British publisher Hodder & Stoughton . In 1868, Williams offered to contribute towards the election expenses of Charles Reed (British politician) . When Williams died on 6 November 1905 at
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#17327869859913068-656: The unity existing among their Associations, and while preserving a complete independence as to their particular organization and modes of action, to form a Confederation of secession on the following fundamental principle, such principle to be regarded as the basis of admission of other Societies in future. YMCA was influential during the 1870s and the 1930s, during which times it most successfully promoted "evangelical Christianity in weekday and Sunday services, while promoting good sportsmanship in athletic contests in gyms (where basketball and volleyball were invented) and swimming pools." Later in this period, and continuing on through
3127-504: The various YMCA programs. Family programs include family nights, parent-child classes, and different events put on by the YMCA. YMCA's parent/child programs, conducted under YMCA's Y-Guides program, provides structured opportunities for fellowship, camping, and community-building activities, including craft-making and community service, for several generations of parents and children from kindergarten through eighth grade. YMCA after-school programs are geared towards providing students with
3186-493: Was a London draper who was typical of the young men drawn to the cities by the Industrial Revolution . They were concerned about the lack of healthy activities for young men in major cities; the options available were usually taverns and brothels . Williams' idea grew out of meetings he held for prayer and Bible-reading among his fellow workers in a business in the city of London , and on 6 June 1844, he held
3245-548: Was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1918), Oswald Chambers and Robert and Olave Baden-Powell . Within the first month the YMCA Women's Auxiliary was formed, and Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein would go on to become a notable member and chairman of its organising committee. During World War I, YMCA raised and spent over $ 155 million on welfare efforts for American soldiers. It deployed over 25,000 staff in military units and bases from Siberia to Egypt to France. They took over
3304-471: Was attended by guests including Jayathma Wickramanayake on behalf of Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth and María Fernanda Espinosa , the President of the United Nations General Assembly . A federated model of governance has created a diversity of YMCA programmes and services, with YMCAs in different countries and communities offering vastly different programming in response to local community needs. Financial support for local associations
3363-655: Was organized near the Jaffa Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem and the current landmark building was dedicated by General Lord Allenby in 1933 during the British Mandate of Palestine. Within ten days of the declaration of World War I , YMCA had established 250 recreation centres, also known as huts, in the United Kingdom, and went to build temporary huts across Europe to support both soldiers and civilians alike, run by thousands of volunteers. Some of them, known as field secretaries, also went into war zones to support prisoners-of-war in Europe and Russia. Notable supporters and volunteers included Clementine Churchill (for which she
3422-414: Was reorganized in 1906 as the Association Institute, and this in turn was established as Fenn College in 1929. In 1964, Fenn College became a state college named Cleveland State University. American high school students have a chance to participate in YMCA Youth and Government , wherein clubs of children representing each YMCA community convene annually in their respective state legislatures to "take over
3481-417: Was settled on at the suggestion of Christopher W Smith, a fellow draper at Hitchcock & Rogers. It promoted Muscular Christianity . One of the earliest converts and contributors to the new association was George's employer, George Hitchcock, who was the organisation's first treasurer. Williams was knighted by Queen Victoria in her 1894 Birthday Honours , YMCA's silver jubilee year, as well as receiving
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