Non-Profit Organization: YMCA, Champaign, Illinois By: Lisa Ephraim

Introduction The YMCA exists and operates to outreach to the Champaign-Urbana community. It hosts special events, lecture series such as Know Your University which encourage intellectual and ethical decision-making on campus, non-credit courses including ballroom dancing and English as a second language, student organizations focusing on student justice, and an array of other community programs including the Dump & Run recycling program and hurricane/ typhoon donation collection areas. The YMCA does not receive money from the University or from taxes. It operates solely from the donations of private individuals.














(Left:) One of the common areas used for lectures (Above:) Dump & Run recycling collection area





Background According to the University of Illinois YMCA website:

“The YMCA at the University of Illinois was founded in 1873; just 6 years after the University began in 1867. The first President (Regent) of the University was a Baptist minister, John Milton Gregory. President Gregory led a daily chapel service that all the students were required to attend. But students wanted a religious organization of their own, and so began the YMCA at the U of I.”

The University YMCA initially hosted Bible studies and service projects. The YMCA offered free service to the students up until 1955. From 1900 to 1932, the YMCA offered employment opportunities for students that needed part-time work. In 1908, the YMCA offered the first dorm on campus- housing 88 U of I students. U of I later bought the building, which is now- Illini hall. The YMCA began hosting international students in 1918, when there were 201 students from abroad. Over the years, with the increasing number of international students, the Y continues to host cooperative programs for the 5000 international students at the university. The YMCA has expanded to host an array of programs for Champaign-Urbana community.

Employment Opportunities There are student employment opportunities available through the Federal Work Study Program and through the University. When I visited the YMCA, I spoke with the receptionist- Anna, and she mentioned that she was able to get a foot in the door and obtain employment with the Y through the Federal Work Study Program. She mentioned that the best way to get a foot in the door is to check the job listings site available through the University, which is how she found out about the position. She mentioned that aside from the receptionist position, that the other office on the main floor hosts all the organization reps, which sometimes have student positions also available. Anna mentioned that the second floor has all of the main offices of the Y, which do not offer student positions. The university YMCA is unique from most other YMCAs in that it does not have a gym or a pool, so its role as being a good beginning stage for people interested in a career in leisure is limited to the extent that it only hosts community programs and events.

Current Trends During my visit, while I spoke with Anna (the student receptionist) she mentioned that the current trends facing the YMCA is a move towards making the facility more handicap accessible. The building is multi-level and to enter the building you must walk up a few steps in the front, so there is currently effort to raise money to put towards creating ramps and overall making the building more handicap friendly. The YMCA is also trying to make the building more accessible to special needs individuals in terms of offering additional programs and events catered to integrating individuals with special needs and other special interest groups.

Agency’s Definition of “Leisure” The agency defines “Leisure” through its mission statement: “to challenge and nurture the mind and spirit of individuals and communities to develop and practice ethical principles and responsible leadership for social justice and the integrity of our natural world.” I think this mission statement is a great way of depicting their stance on leisure- they seek to create an environment through which members of the community can take a break from work and school to learn, grow, and develop intrinsically. During my visit, while I spoke with Anna, she mentioned that while the YMCA offers recreation and leisure- it exists with the purpose of hosting meetings, programs, events, and other community service activities.


Synopsis Overall, I had a great experience through my visit to the YMCA. I learned a lot about their goals and the types of leisure- in terms of enabling personal growth- that are available to the surrounding communities of Champaign and Urbana through the YMCA. It was great to see that their efforts in trying to enhance the community by providing a resource for community members to enhance their lives and to develop leadership and other personal skills. Based on the resources and programs that they have available to the university and community, it is easy to see what a valuable resource they provide. vid


All pictures were taken during my visit to the YMCA.

YMCA Website:
"The University YMCA at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign." The University YMCA at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2009.

By: Lisa Ephraim