HISTORY
The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is the oldest and largest youth organisation in the world and operates in 130 countries with a membership of 30 million people and its programmes reach over 150 million persons. It was founded in London in 1844 by George Williams. His mission was to provide a wholesome, Christian alternative to life on the streets to young men away from home for the first time. To accomplish his task he offered Bible study and prayer to the young men.

In Trinidad and Tobago, we have been operating since 1964 and our main focus is on work with children and youth. Our mission is to develop healthy, caring, responsible individuals contributing to a society characterized by love and unity. Participants include boys, girls, men and women of all ages, races. 
The YMCA conducts activities for thousands of children and young people all year round. Our programmes include outreach to children and young people. The YMCA offers community outreach, youth leadership training and empowerment, child care, pre-school, children’s activities after school and vacation camp. Through all of our programmes we aim to instil and practise universal principles of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.

The Organization is incorporated by an Act of Parliament as a charitable non-profit association and is on the Government’s approved list of charities for income tax purposes. Our audited accounts are published annually and presented at our Annual General Meeting. The organisation is guided by a Board of Directors, of no less than nine in number and a staff of over 30 trained personnel.

We have worked successfully with the United Nations agencies, UNESCO, UNICEF, International Labour Organisation (ILO), Canadian Foundation, JB Fernandes Memorial Trust1, Atlantic LNG, and BP Trinidad and Tobago and many of our local NGO’s to achieve our objective of empowerment of youth.
Because of our reputation and proven ability, our YMCA was selected some years ago to be the Coordination Centre for the Caribbean by the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs, a position we still hold.