Since 1984, our YMCAs have exchanged visits and ideas with the Lüdenscheid Area YMCA.
Through visits to Lüdenscheid, our youth, staff and volunteers are introduced to and educated on another culture and how Ys function in another country.
Through cultural exchanges and working groups, our program broadens horizons and brings new ideas and practices to our programs. Participants see first-hand how the work of the YMCA expands far beyond their local community.
In Germany, Ys are focused primarily on youth work and the Y might be in a basement of a church or a town hall. Youth groups focused on religion or sports or specific areas of interest.
Our German partners excel in outreach and we’ve been able to bring that practice to our programs locally through program delivery at schools, Section 8 housing or community centers.
Our volunteers have trained German staff on the Y’s fundraising model and helped institute systems and processes in their Ys.
