Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), organization having as its objective the development of values and behaviors that are consistent with Christian principles. Despite the retention of the name, membership is not limited to Christians, and since World War II women and girls have been accepted as members. The first association was launched (1844) in London by Sir George Williams Williams, Sir George, 1821–1905, English merchant. A vigorous advocate of temperance and an opponent of gambling and tobacco, Williams founded the Young Men's Christian Association in 1844. In 1894 he was knighted for his lifelong work for boys.
..... Click the link for more information. and a group of young men in business as a place to help other young working men find God through prayer and Bible study. In 1851 the movement took root in North America. Following the lead of Montreal and Boston, a number of other cities soon formed their own YMCAs, and in 1854 the first convention of North American associations took place in Buffalo, N.Y. A world conference in Paris (1855), attended by delegates from eight nations, led to the formation of the World Alliance of Young Men's Christian Associations in the same year. The organization now has branches on every continent. Originally focused on Bible study and religious activities, the YMCA has greatly broadened its mission statement over the years. YMCAs often provide inexpensive housing, meeting space for community groups, gymnasiums and pools, and child-care programs. YMCAs serve 30 million people in 120 countries.

YMCA

in full Young Men's Christian Association

Nonsectarian, nonpolitical Christian lay movement that aims to develop high standards of Christian character among its members. It originated in London in 1844 when 12 young men formed a club to improve the spiritual condition of young tradesmen. The first U.S. club was formed in Boston in the 1850s. YMCA programs include sports and physical education, camping, formal and informal education, and citizenship activities. It also runs hotels, residence halls, and cafeterias. National councils are members of the World Alliance of YMCAs (established 1855), headquartered in Geneva. The YMCA was charged with sponsoring educational and recreational facilities in prisoner-of-war camps by the Geneva Convention of 1929. It now operates in dozens of countries. The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) was founded in Britain (1877) to address the needs of women from rural areas who came to the cities to find work; in the U.S. (founded 1906), it has championed racial equality. The Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Association (YM-YWHA) developed in the mid-19th century from Jewish men's literary societies in the U.S. and now exists in some 20 other countries worldwide.