The YMCA is open to all individuals now and has a vast array of programs for the public.  It didn't used to be this way though.  It used to be a association for only men.  Back in the 70's a music group devised a song to tribute the concept that the YMCA was all about.  The lyrics also promote the function of the YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.  As the lyrics point out it was a place to go.  A place where you could pick yourself up and to get refreashed and revitalized.  It was a place to be with other men and to make friends.  You could do many things there like swimming, body building and many other sports.

YMCA stands for Young Men’s Christian Association. It is a world-wide Christian, ecumenical, voluntary Movement for women and men with special emphasis on, and the genuine involvement of, young people, which seeks to share the Christian ideal of building a human community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation. 

It all began in 1855 with the first YMCA being in London.  During the hardships after the Industrial Revolution where men often slept at their places of work.  Most of the men were far from their homes and family's and they lived, crowded like sardines, in a room over their places of work.  It was a treacherous time outside the buildings and it was dangerous to sleep in quarters outside.  A group of men, Drapers, led by George Williamswanted to provide the men with better circumstances.  He also wanted a place to have Bible Studies.  Well the idea caught on rapidly with the first YMCA entering the United States in 1851.

During the Civil War the Y hit some bad times of it's own with many men going off to fight in the war.  That is when it adopted a fourfold purpose: "The improvement of the spiritual, mental, social and physical condition of young men." 

Buildings went up everywhere in the 1880's. Many had Bowling Alleys, Gyms. Swimming Pools and Dorms for the men to stay in.    The dorms were continued up until the 1950's.

During that period of time they had many things for young men to participate in.  Y's organized college students for social action and literally invented basketball and volleyball.  served the special needs of railroad men who had no place to stay after the end of that era.  Another transformation of the purpose of the Y was then for Spirit, Mind and Body.

During the Great Depression funds fell lower that they had ever anticipated and the Government drop the program from their subsidies.  This forced the Y to take a different approach to the human needs of the society that had developed.  Bible Study had dropped significantly and so they stressed more programs for the downtrodden.  Educational classes were implemented along with vocational training for those who had a hard time gaining employment.  The main purpose back then was to unite all men who were unemployed a place where they could maintain their mind, spirit and body.

It was after World War II when they began to allow women and children into the program and how we got the YMCA of today.

 Young man, there's no need to feel down.
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground.
I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town
There's no need to be unhappy.

Young man, there's a place you can go.
I said, young man, when you're short on your dough.
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.

It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.
It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.

They have everything for you men to enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys ...

It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.
It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.

You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal,
You can do what about you feel ...

Young man, are you listening to me?
I said, young man, what do you want to be?
I said, young man, you can make real your dreams.
But you got to know this one thing!

No man does it all by himself.
I said, young man, put your pride on the shelf,
And just go there, to the y.m.c.a.
I'm sure they can help you today.

It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.
It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.

They have everything for you men to enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys ...

It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.
It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.

You can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal,
You can do what about you feel ...

Young man, I was once in your shoes.
I said, I was down and out with the blues.
I felt no man cared if I were alive.
I felt the whole world was so tight ...

That's when someone came up to me,
And said, young man, take a walk up the street.
There's a place there called the y.m.c.a.
They can start you back on your way.

It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.
It's fun to stay at the y-m-c-a.

They have everything for you men to enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys ...

Y-m-c-a ... you'll find it at the y-m-c-a.

Young man, young man, there's no need to feel down.
Young man, young man, get yourself off the ground.

Y-m-c-a ... you'll find it at the y-m-c-a.

Young man, young man, there's no need to feel down.
Young man, young man, get yourself off the ground.

Y-m-c-a ... just go to the y-m-c-a.

Young man, young man, are you listening to me?
Young man, young man, what do you wanna be?

Just as in the era when this concept was first thought up and brought into reality I can see the resemblance today.  There is much joblessness and homelessness.  People don't know where to go.  I know of a young man that was thrown out of his house and was going into the armed forces.  The problem that arose in his situation was that there was a 3 month interim.  He didn't have anywhere to go.  There isn't a Y in our area and hardly any programs for these types of situations.  Just like the song lyrics state there is a place to go and to pick yourself up.  Although there are no more dorms at most of the Y's now, there is still a place where you can go and freshen up and take care of your body so that you can be presentable t that job interview.  In these times that we are living there needs to be more Y's in the smaller towns, more spirit-building.  I realize there are many churches and Salvation Army's and other places to get things, but, like in our town, no place for a person to stay.  Sure there are motels and hotels, but most have to have reservations and lots of money.

Please donate to the YMCA.  It is important for the future of our society.

 The YWCA is still an all women's group with their mission being to empower women of all races, cultures and to make leaders of them.  There are over 25 milliion members spanning 106 countries.  They also have job and career training, provide child care services and promote health and fitness.