ABSTRACT
The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) both began in London and quickly spread internationally, both reaching their largest membership numbers in the UNITED STATES. George Williams founded the YMCA in London in 1844 as a prayer group for young men new to the city. Likewise, the YWCA resulted from the union of two London-based women’s organizations, both devoted to encouraging evangelical Protestant virtues. Although the YMCA and YWCA have continued to consider their official missions to be based on Christian principles, their specific connection to Christian churches have lessened as they opened their doors to members of all religious traditions and encouraged interfaith dialogue. The missions of the YMCA and YWCA have expanded over time to include issues of human justice, racial relations, HIGHER EDUCATION, physical fitness, and war relief.
