The YMCA in Europe, and particularly in the UK was founded to help young men find their place in society. The sixties and seventies saw many changes in the way that society viewed family life, and little by little, the YMCA became a place where young people were either sent or chose to be when they became homeless. The basic care needed for these boys back then was a room, sometimes shared depending upon finances available to pay their keep, warm meals, and the safety of being in an environment that was sheltered and run by live in wardens.

Over the years the YMCA has evolved with time, and now offers life training skills to those youngsters that have never lived alone, having small apartments where they can learn how to look after themselves, and ask advice of wardens who are there to guide them and to act as go betweens between children, their parents and social workers.

These hostels provide accommodation to over 250 communities within the UK and house young men between the ages of 16 and 35, teaching them pride in their lives, and giving youngsters a little independence and much needed confidence to face the world around them. Labeled at one time as the dumping ground for youngsters that no one else wanted, their role really has become a valuable part of society, and they have extended their service to cover re-training of youngsters and young offenders, learning skills, and liaise between family and children in difficult situations where families are split and the children in care.

The YMCA houses those children that are too old for foster care, and not yet old enough to support themselves, and has many functions these days to educate the young. Whilst being fundamentally Christian in origin, choice of worship is left to the individuals and not part and parcel of the experience. The support they offer families is valuable and leads to better understanding between parents and children who have strayed or simply left home.

Their work to counter homelessness hand in hand with councils in the UK is valuable, and they are skilled in looking after those children that have been in trouble though are encouraged into starting their lives afresh with guidance and training.

The latest campaign of the YMCA is to make youngsters aware of the effects of obesity and to encourage team sports that build character.

It is a worthy cause, and the UK have a need for both the YMCA, and YWCA (it's counterpart organization for young Christian women.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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