BACKGROUND

The YMCA was founded in 1844 in London, England. YMCA’s are now in over 120 countries. YMCA World Service began as the YMCA Foreign Service in 1889. By the turn of the 20th century, North Americans were sending directors and workers to countries around the world that asked for assistance. This “foreign work” as it was called, was the origin of YMCA World Service.

Since 1889, countless people around the world have benefited from YMCA World Service programs thanks to the commitment and support of thousands of dedicated individuals. Whether as YMCA personnel or volunteers, they often devoted a significant part of their lives to bring YMCA ideals to diverse peoples in many parts of the world.

Today YMCA World Service continues to impact millions of people worldwide by raising awareness of and financial support for the powerful work of the global YMCA movement.



ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Ridgewood YMCA was founded in 1902 and involved in World Service initiatives since World War II when they collected tons of salvage materials to help the Allies. The first international camp program was in 1963 when a group of boys went to Puerto Rico.

The mid 1980s saw the need for international relief to Africa and the YMCA responded to the call. As a result in 1985 the YMCA of Greater New York recognized the Ridgewood YMCA’s commitment to the Africa Crisis Campaign and invited Ridgewood’s CEO, Bob Sheppard to be part of its larger committee. While assessing the program needs firsthand in Africa, Sheppard developed a relationship with the headmaster of a small YMCA school in a rural village in Kondo, Kenya. Upon his return to Ridgewood, the Kondo YMCA and school became a major programming initiative. The YMCA, through a letter campaign raised almost $40,000 over a ten year period to help complete an irrigation system that saved hundreds of lives, and replaced a thatch-roofed stick hut with a multi-roomed school building. These projects helped a community grow and become self sufficient. The spirit continued with other staff members visiting Africa providing both financial and professional support. African staff also visited the Ridgewood YMCA completing the circle of partnership.



TODAY

The international work continues and has expanded to other countries. Since 1985 the Ridgewood YMCA has partnered with Kenya, Senegal, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Haiti in a variety of World Service efforts which includes an International Camp Program.

In 1996, the Ridgewood YMCA had its first International Camp Program to Kenya. The ICP group comprised of 14 teenagers from the metropolitan area and two leaders dug trenches and laid water pipes to further assist in irrigating the crops and bring water to the village.

In 1997, the Ridgewood YMCA formalized its partnership with the Senegal YMCA furthering its commitment to helping a YMCA in need. ICP Kenya completed the water project in Kondo, Kenya.

In 1998, the Ridgewood YMCA International Camp Program shifted its focus to Reynosa, Mexico where young people built a house for a needy family. To date ICP participants have built twelve houses.

Since 1994, the Ridgewood YMCA has partnered with the Senegal YMCA in staff exchange programs, and has financially supported their efforts to become a self sufficient YMCA. To date ICP participants have worked on several reforestation projects, plus building, painting and refurbishing YMCA schools and walls. This year a “Bug Net Challenge” encouraged the village of Ridgewood to make donations for mosquito nets to help eradicate malaria in small villages. Four thousand dollars was raised through this effort, providing 1000 mosquito nets.

In 2007, the Ridgewood YMCA had its first ICP group visit the Dominican Republic. Fourteen teenagers built houses in Don Gregorio where a YMCA school thrives but the surrounding community is in tremendous need. This year ICP DR built three houses and painted two YMCA schools.

In 2004 the Ridgewood YMCA sponsored a youth soccer camp for the YMCA of Haiti. In the last four years not only has the YMCA kept up their financial commitment to the soccer program but has provided books for the YMCA library in Port au Prince. For the second time a Ridgewood YMCA adult delegation went to Haiti. Prior to the delegations departure World Service Committee members solicited donations within the Ridgewood community. The outpouring of support was outstanding, soccer equipment, school supplies, clothing, and toiletry items were collected and packed into donated suticases. Two volunteer soccer coaches, donated their time to coach 71 campers at the YMCA in Camp Perrin. Presently the Ridgewood YMCA is running a book drive for a new English library in the Kenscoff YMCA a branch of the YMCA of Haiti.