Governor Stein Recognizes The 175th Anniversary of the YMCA

In Recognition Of

The 175th Anniversary Of The YMCA

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, the Young Men’s Christian Association (“the Y”) marks its 175th anniversary, having been founded in the United States by Thomas Valentine Sullivan at the Old South Church in Boston on December 29, 1851, inspired by the YMCA movement in England with a mission to put Christian principles into practice by building healthy spirit, mind, and body for all; and 

Whereas, the YMCA has continually adapted to meet evolving needs of American communities, strengthening society by bringing people together, fostering relationships, and creating a sense of belonging; and 

Whereas, the YMCA’s legacy includes providing safe housing during the Industrial Revolution, pioneering the first night school and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, inventing basketball, delivering the first group swim lessons, establishing the Youth and Government program in 1936 as a premier civic engagement initiative that continues today, becoming the nation's leading nonprofit provider of child care and after-school programs since the 1970s and 1980s to support working families, and serving as the leading provider of emergency child care for frontline workers and a significant provider of food during the COVID-19 pandemic; and 

Whereas, today 2,600 Ys serve more than 10,000 communities in every state and territory, with more than 300,000 staff and 350,000 volunteers delivering essential programs to more than 17 million people annually, including almost 11 million adults and 6.5 million children and youth; and 

Whereas, the YMCA in North Carolina first opened in Wilmington in 1857, and today 28 YMCA Associations serve more than one million North Carolinians annually through the collective impact of more than 20,000 staff and 19,000 volunteers providing essential programs and services; and

Whereas, the YMCA is a leader in providing swim lessons, camping, youth sports, meal programs, lifestyle health, fitness, and well-being programs and is the largest provider of fitness programs for older adults; the YMCA is the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of child care and after-school programs; and

Whereas, YMCAs across the nation are working to build stronger, more connected communities helping people achieve their goals, foster connection, and promote well-being to build relationships and thrive; and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina congratulates the YMCA on 175 years of excellence and responding to community needs, connecting people, fostering support, and building relationships and a sense of belonging;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 22, 2026, as “In Recognition Of The 175th Anniversary Of The YMCA” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-sixth day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.