About us
About YMCA
YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) is the oldest, largest and most widespread youth organization in the world. It strives for the harmonious development of man, his spirit, soul and body (as symbolized by the red equilateral triangle that YMCA has in its emblem). It is based on Christian principles, but it is open to all people regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, social status, physical and mental abilities.
YMCA was founded in 1844 in London. Its wide expansion in our country began mainly thanks to the massive help from the US and with the help of the national elites: T. G. Masaryk, Ing. V. Havel and others. It was forced to terminate its activities in 1951 and, despite unsuccessful attempts to re-establish in 1968, it resumed its activity in 1990.
Nowadays YMCA operates in 120 countries and has over 64 million members.
The founder of YMCA George Williiams
About YMCA in the Czech Republic
Nowadays YMCA has 28 collective members (branches) in the Czech Republic in 11 regions with over 3,500 members. It focuses on activities that respond to the current youth problems - low civic engagement, meaningful free-time spending, mental health, intergenerational dialogue etc. It focuses its activities to develop the soul (organizes interest groups - music, art, scout clubs, summer camps, music activities - Ten Sing, educational programs), body (sports activities, work jobs) and spirit (lectures, Christian activities, self-development programs, reflection) of the youth. Special activities are also organized for socially disadvantaged groups of young people, such as open doors clubs, and for families (marriage meetings, mothers´ centres etc.). Through its work, YMCA strives to share and transmit important life moral values in the Czech Republic.
YMCA in the Czech Republic is a member of the World Alliance YMCA (WAY), the European YMCA Alliance (YMCA Europe), the Czech Children and Youth Council (ČRDM), the Czech Olympic Committee (WWTP) and the Association of Non-Governmental, Non-Profit Organizations (ANNO). It also cooperates with a number of other organizations at central and local level.
About YMCA Prague
We offer leisure time and cultural activities both for adult and young people, run social services for social disadvantaged for children and youth, participate in community activities, support the families and interpersonal relations and tolerance, transform the anonymity of the metropolis and contribute to fully-fledged life and integration of all people in living fellowships.
