New York YMCA program and event records

The YMCA in New York began to provide scheduled and organized programing shortly after it was founded in 1852. In the early 20th century, lecture series, prayer meetings, book talks and afternoon teas gave way to educational programs that taught English, citizenship, auto repair, foreign languages and a host of other topics. As athletics became an increasingly important aspect of the YMCA in New York City, programs developed that taught and strengthened specific athletic skills in individual and team sports. Camping, daycare and career assistance became staples of YMCA programing efforts. Over the years, the Y in New York City has provided programming in almost every area and subject imaginable.

The Y targeted many of its programs toward certain populations. Y programs were directed toward immigrants, railroad workers, soldiers and veterans, working boys, sailors, college students and different population groups, especially Spanish speakers, Koreans, African Americans and Chinese people.

In the 1960s and 1970s, YMCA leadership decided to take action against what it saw as the decline of New York City reflected in the riots, drug abuse and crime that seemed to characterize those decades. The YMCA became a provider of publicly-funded programming directed at disaffected youth and marginalized communities. Job training, life skills, GED classes and other programs were targeted toward disadvantaged young people, recently released prisononers, high school dropouts and adults without marketable skills. The Vocational Service Center and later the Counseling and Testing Service were central to these efforts.

Almost from its beginnings, the Y celebrated milestones and anniversaries with award banquets and other events, honoring staff and volumteers as well as building community. This tradition continues, as does the association's effort to provide a wide range of programing for the residents of New York City.