YMCA

The Young Men's Christian Association (or simply the YCMA or Y) is an organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It was originally meant to put Christian principles into practice. It was founded in 1844 in London, England, United Kingdom. At first, the organization provided beds and shelter to young men leaving the countryside for work in the cities. It promotes Muscular Christianity.^[source?]

YMCA

Founded	6 June 1844; 181 years ago (1844-06-06)
Founder	Sir George Williams
Founded at	London, England
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Region served	Worldwide
President	Patricia Pelton
Secretary General	Carlos Sanvee
Website	www.ymca.int

First YMCA in Canada in Montreal, Quebec

Self-defence classes at YMCA in Boise, Idaho, 1936

Basketball was invented in an American YMCA.^[source?]

The similar Young Women's Christian Association was founded in 1870.

Other websites

World Young Men's Christian Association^{[permanent dead link]}

Media related to YMCA at Wikimedia Commons