In 1844 George Williams founded the first YMCA in London, England, to provide young, working men of the Industrial Revolution a safe haven to participate in healthy activities. This movement continued across the Atlantic Ocean and found itself in Atlanta in 1858.
Since then, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta has played a vital role in the life of our growing and expanding city. Thousands of volunteers enable the YMCA to meet ever-changing community needs with creative and innovative services to help develop spirit, mind, and body in every individual.
YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta Historical Facts
A Timeline of 150 Years
One hundred and fifty years. One hundred and fifty years. In this short span of time, so much has happened. The Metro Atlanta YMCA, a charitable, community service organization with local impact and global reach, has been there, a witness to it all.
Early on, as war, uncertainty and strife touched thousands of lives in the metro area, the Atlanta YMCA was a place of refuge, prayer and salvation. As Atlanta grew from a sleepy railroad terminus into a massive metropolitan city, the Y responded to this transformation with new locations and programs from summer camps to early childhood development programs to re-developed, city neighborhoods.
Now – on its 150th birthday – the Y is Atlanta’s perennial favorite choice for recreation, health and wellness activities and quality time for families – filling a void by building strong children, adults, families, and communities.
Here’s a look at some of the major points in the Metro Atlanta YMCA’s history, from its birth and beyond:
1858: GETTING STARTED IN ATLANTA
- Atlanta YMCA is established.
- Basil H. Overby – ancestor of Robert Woodruff – elected first president.
1873: RESURRECTION
- After being disbanded during the Civil War, the YMCA is re-established.
- Initial location is established at 52 Whitehall Street.
- A special Y branch serves railroad workers.
1883 – Early 1900s: EARLY FACILITIES
- By its 10th year, the Atlanta YMCA has devotional services, reading rooms and a gymnasium.
- Through fund raising, the YMCA finds a permanent home at the corner of what is now Pryor Street and Auburn Avenue.
- YMCA activities are held at several locations, including the precursor to the Butler Street YMCA, serving the African-American community. In addition, memberships are extended to boys.
- Camp Thornton is established in north Georgia as the Y’s first summer camp.
1911 – 1919: A CALL TO ARMS
- More than $600,000 is raised to build a central location on Luckie Street. Included are a boy’s wing, men’s wing and six floors of dorm space. This remains the Y’s home office for the next 70 years.
- Thousands of U.S. troops involved in World War I use the YMCA facilities as they pass through Atlanta.
- Clubs for girls are added after the war.
1929 – 1945: WAR ABROAD, REFUGE AT HOME
- The Luckie Street Y offers room and board to out-of-work men during the Great Depression.
- YMCA establishes an open door policy to all U.S. servicemen during World War II.
- Once the war ends, the Y extends more than 2,500 local memberships to veterans to help them adjust.
1948 – 1960: THE BABY BOOM ERA
- Following the war, the Atlanta Y expands into the suburbs.
- Gra-Y clubs, mostly sports programs in grammar schools, form.
Late 1960s – 1970s: NEW PROGRAMS, RESOURCES
- The Y continues to expand its programs and facilities.
- A pro soccer team helps the Decatur-DeKalb Y establish a soccer program, the first YMCA youth soccer program in the U.S.
- The Heritage Club is formed to recognize donors to the Metro Atlanta YMCA endowment fund.
1980s- 1990s: DECENTRALIZATION AS ATLANTA GROWS
- A new resident camp, Camp High Harbour on Lake Burton in north Georgia, opens.
- Metro Atlanta YMCA after-school child care and enrichment programs begin.
- Guy Millner establishes the Y-CEO Heritage Invitational Golf Tournament, which benefits the Teen Legacy endowment fund for the development of teen outreach programs.
- Luckie Street YMCA closes.
- Metro Atlanta YMCA becomes an international partner with the YMCA in the Republic of Georgia, providing financial support, program expertise, equipment, and other support through teen and staff exchange trips.
- The first local YMCA pre-school center opens in South DeKalb.
- As a partner with the Atlanta Housing Authority, the Metro Atlanta Y builds the Centennial Place Family YMCA, a community center in a newly redeveloped, mixed income, downtown neighborhood.
2000s: A SOLID FUTURE
- Two new Ys open in Atlanta Housing Authority redeveloped neighborhoods, East Lake and The Villages at Carver. The Villages at Carver Family YMCA is a joint partnership with the Butler Street YMCA.
- YMCA establishes Head Start early childhood development program.
- YMCAs in Georgia join together to form a statewide alliance.
- The Southwest YMCA is re-named the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA in honor of the Young families and their lifelong YMCA involvement.
- Metro Atlanta YMCA declares war on obesity. Youth Fit For Life™ and THE COACH APPROACH ®, developed by Dr. Jim Annesi, Metro Atlanta YMCA director of wellness advancement, provide exercise support to children and adults.
- International partnership forms with the YMCA in Costa Rica.
- Cobb County YMCAs and Metro Atlanta YMCA join to become one.
- Partner With Youth Comprehensive Campaign kicks off to raise $84 million for kids, health and community programs
- Metro Atlanta YMCA celebrates 150-year anniversary in 2008.
