HOW THE YMCA BENEFITS A COMMUNITY

 

YMCA Firsts and Foremosts click here for more info.

YMCAs in the U.S. have a proud history of serving the people in their communities in a variety of practical and effective ways. Y staff and volunteers never claimed to have the wisdom that would provide all the answers, but they did have the courage to attack huge problems. Much of what they did turned out to be historic. This paper sets out briefly some of the highlights and accomplishments of the YMCA movement in America.

 
About YMCAs in the United States click here for more info.
The attached 10-page presentation highlights facts and figures about YMCAs in the United States today as well as their historical contributions to American society. Note: This is a very large file.

Definitions of the YMCA's core values

This item defines the YMCA's four core values, which serve as the foundation for YMCA of the USA's character-development resources. It also lists additional values related to each of the core value to help YMCAs discover additional ways to teach and demonstrate character building.

Caring: to demonstrate a sincere concern for others, for their needs and well-being. Related values: compassion, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness.

Honesty: to tell the truth, to demonstrate reliability and trustworthiness through actions that are in keeping with my stated positions and beliefs. Related values: integrity and fairness.

Respect: to treat others as I would want them to treat me, to value the worth of every person, including myself. Related values: acceptance, empathy, self-respect and tolerance.

Responsibility: to do what is right--what I ought to do, to be accountable for my choices of behavior and actions and my promises. Related values: commitment, courage, good health, service and citizenship.