Our Ys and Camps engage hundreds of communities in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving health and well-being, and supporting and serving our neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure.
The Y was founded in London in 1844 by George Williams and a small group of his friends to help young people find a positive foundation for their lives. The YMCA came to America in Boston in 1851, and quickly spread throughout the United States.
Our YMCAs are older than the state of Minnesota. We trace our history back to 1856. Over the years, our YMCAs responded to the changing needs of our communities. Today the YMCA serves men, women, boys and girls of all faiths, races, ages, abilities, and incomes. We are for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility.
You can learn more about the YMCA's history in the United States as well as through the YMCA Archives, hosted at the University of Minnesota.
