Assignment 2 Two 2

YMCA

The Young Men’s Christian Association or the YMCA originated in London, England in 1844. It was originally created to help young men avoid the tough life on the streets so they could instead study the bible and pray. Eventually the YMCA focused on more than just bible work and prayer. Gyms and swimming pools began to appear along with large auditoriums and even bowling alleys. As the 1950’s came along the YMCA began to change drastically. Women and people of different races and religions began to join the YMCA. With the addition of suburbs to America the popularity of YMCA’s began to grow along with the number of actually facilities.

The YMCA is one the most prestigious organizations in the world and they have achieved many accomplishments throughout their history. The game of basketball was invented at the YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891 by James Naismith. The game of volleyball was also created in a YMCA, in 1895, by William Morgan. Another impressive achievement associated with the YMCA is one leaders of the YMCA movement in America, John Mott, received the Noble Prize in 1946, for the humanitarian efforts of the YMCA.

There are so many opportunities to volunteer at your local YMCA. There are programs and workout classes that need to be instructed and sport teams that require coaches. There are also options to volunteer to read to young kids in your neighborhood or participate in local fundraisers such as bake sales. The YMCA facilities themselves need attendants to greet members at the front desk and managers to oversee the programs and procedures of the facility. If you want to feel rewarded, change lives, and have a sense of accomplishment after each day of work the YMCA is a great place to work.

The YMCA uses leisure to help direct young kids in the right direction in life. They have organized and created several programs for local community boys and girls. The “Y” believes physical fun activities such as playing sports and camping is a great way for kids to enjoy their leisure time. One program they offer is aquatics which consist of swim lessons, scuba diving, and other water fitness. This agency also offers all kinds of team sport opportunities including softball, baseball, volleyball, basketball, and soccer. It is apparent the YMCA views leisure as organized free time where the kids have a choice to do whatever activity they desire.

These programs allow the volunteers to become role models which can help steer young children down the right path later in life. All kids need an older individual to look up to. The YMCA provides this. Kids learn sportsmanship and teamwork skills throughout the many team activities they will be participating in. These important skills learned as children will be useful in their futures. The “Y” offers non-competitive leagues for children as young as four so children are never too young to start getting involved.

Today, there are almost 21 million YMCA members in the US making the YMCA the largest non-profit organization in the America. The current 2,686 YMCA’s in the US connect thousands of different communities together. YMCA’s have reached across the world in the recent past serving over 45 million people in 145 countries. Today’s YMCA’s provide a place for all level income Americans to enjoy their valued leisure time.

Synopsis

The YMCA organization that spreads not only across America, but across the world, is an illustrious establishment to be associated with. Throughout my investigation of the YMCA I have discovered there are many pros and some cons when an individual is pursuing involvement in this organization. The working environment is enjoyable. The opportunity to work with children is a large reason why many people choose to employ themselves at their local “Y’s”. Also, many YMCA employees agree that at the end of each day there is a feeling of accomplishment and pride because every day is a new chance to help change a young child’s life. Working at the local YMCA is a great way to give back to your community. Unfortunately, unless you are in the high management level of this organization, the pay for working at a YMCA is not very high since the YMCA is a non-profit organization. However, employees do receive such benefits as a free YMCA membership and very flexible working hours.

The YMCA is a major provider of leisure for many children and adults in the US. At the “Y” community members can enjoy their leisure in numerous different ways. Members can work out in the weight room, play pickup games of basketball, or even swim some laps. The YMCA is a place where people can escape their daily routines and have the freedom to choose whatever activity makes them happy. The organization’s goal is to provide affordable leisure to anyone in the community so people of all level incomes can go to a place where they can engage in countless activities that supply them with pleasure.