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HISTORY
The YMCA was launched by George Williams in
London, England in 1844 as a Christian response to
the difficult
social conditions created by the Industrial Revolution.
The YMCA of Kitchener-Waterloo was founded in 1895,
with E.P. Clement as its first president. The two upper
flats of a building located at 26 Queen Street North
served as the home for the Y for the next eleven years.
In this opening year, the annual membership fee was
$4.00!
Although the social, religious and physical activities
of the new Y were very successful, financial problems
forced the organization to disban in 1906. For 13 years
there was no YMCA in the Twin Cities – but the
desire to re-establish the organization stayed strong.
In 1919, through substantial contributions by Mr.
Jacob Kaufman, as well as the Breithaupt Leather Company
and Dominion Tire Company, a building fund was initiated
and a new YMCA for the KW Community was officially
re-opened on April 19, 1922. The building was centrally
located at 57 Queen Street North and the YMCA remained
at this location for 60 years until moving to it’s
new Kitchener facility on 333 Carwood Avenue in 1982.
Since 1895 – the KW YMCA has grown to more than 30 locations
throughout our community including:
- 2 Health and Fitness Sites
- 2 Cross Cultural and Community Services Sites
- 9 Child Cares Sites
- 3 Residential Camp Sites
- 1 Outdoor Centres
Some KW YMCA Facts:
- More than 9,000 members feel at home at the KW
YMCA.
- We're open 7 days a week, 361 days a year.
- In 2005, we served more than 100,000 people.
- Children are approximately 70% of the people served.
- Each year, more than $500,000
is invested in the YMCA’s
promise to never turn anyone away
due to financial hardship.
- More than 490 children are enrolled in our licensed
child care centres.
- Over 3,000 children
take part in our camp programs each summer.
- Over 10,000 newcomers are served
each year
through our Cross Cultural and Community Services
division.
- Together with our members, staff, volunteers
and community partners, we will continue to build
a healthy, strong community!
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