History of the YMCA Wanganui
Each YMCA is different and the Wanganui YMCA also reflects the needs of the local community.
The Wanganui YMCA was formed in 1912 and served the Wanganui Community ever since. The first YMCA building in Wanganui was on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Plymouth Street, from where the YMCA offered Gymnastics and other recreational programmes. In the 1970’s the YMCA moved to Wilson Street where it continued to operate as a health and fitness centre. A fire in the Wilson Street building forced the YMCA to relocate to Campbell Street. Today the Wanganui YMCA head office is situated in Park Place Wanganui. At its doors the original foundation declaration stones are situated on both sides of the entrance. These foundation stones have followed the YMCA in its various moves from Plymouth Street to Wilson Street, to Campbell Street, to Liverpool Street and finally to Park Place.
It assisted in world wars and developed Gymnastics, Holiday Programmes, Camping and Leadership Programmes. It was the innovator of Health and Fitness and Aerobics in the region. Our 30 years of involvement with education has been to fulfil the needs of the community.
Over the past 95 years, this organisation, directed by volunteer boards and staffed by trained employees with assistance from volunteers, has provided programmes for its community. Throughout the years the YMCA still prides itself in the fact that programmes are governed by the following two standards:
- The safety of every individual in every activity is paramount, and
- Cost will not be a barrier for programme participation.
YMCA as an International Movement
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. YMCAs around the world work for social justice for all people, irrespective of religion, race, gender or cultural background.
The YMCA is more than child care, sports, fitness, youth programs, camps or education. It is a worldwide family of over 120 autonomous national movements committed to building a positive future for youth and families. The YMCA currently serves over 40 million youth and families worldwide. In countries throughout the world, YMCA programs respond to local needs identified by each national YMCA movement. The YMCA is open to all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes.
The YMCA Movement was started in London in 1844 by George Williams; a young drapery merchant was living in London. The 1840’s was a tough time, particularly in London. England was in the midst of the Industrial Revolution. This period marked a painful time for many workers, and the textile industry was one of the worst hit. Wealth, power and corruption were rife, there was a huge divide between the rich and poor and living conditions were notoriously low. Working conditions, even for young boys and girls, were inhumanly bad. With little free time and no place to go, many young people were lured into gambling, drinking and immoral living.
George Williams, a dedicated Christian made up his mind that something had to be done. He gathered together a few friends to form a society that met regularly and supported each other through the bad times and gain greater spiritual strength. The Group called itself the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). The idea of a YMCA caught on quickly. In no time the Movement had spread across Europe, America and Australia.
So influential was the Movement, within 10 years, 38 Associations had been formed across 8 countries.
In 1855, 99 Representatives from those 38 Associations met in Paris and founded the International Alliance of YMCAs. The meeting provided many firsts, including the first international gathering of Christian laymen. The meeting in 1855 inspired the first secretary of the Geneva YMCA, Henry Dunant, to use similar methods to inaugurate the International Red Cross.