Movement Volunteer founded and volunteer-led, the YMCA was established in London, England, in 1844 by George Williams, a draper's shop assistant to give young men an alternative to life on the streets. In 1851, Thomas Sullivan, a retired sea captain and lay missionary, started the first YMCA in the United States in Boston. Today, the nation's more than 2,500 YMCAs are the largest not-for-profit community service organizations in America, working to meet the health and social service needs of 18.9 million men, women, and children in 10,000 communities in the United States. YMCAs are at work in more than 120 countries around the world, serving more than 45 million people. About 230 US YMCAs maintain relationships with Ys in other countries, staying committed to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities worldwide. Ys are for people of all faiths, races, abilities, ages, and incomes. No one has turned away for inability to pay. YMCA's strength is in the people they bring together.

On March 26, 1886, The YMCA was opened in Grand Forks, ND. It was organized through the collaboration of six churches within the community, who each appointed a pastor as a lay member to help establish the YMCA. These volunteers determined that the YMCA should promote the moral welfare and the social, intellectual, and physical benefits of young men. The first YMCA offered group devotions, singing, prayer, reading rooms, and a gym. Today, the Grand Forks YMCA Family Center is open to men, women, and children of all faiths, races, abilities, ages, and incomes. In 1969, Our current facility was built, which now hosts two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, an aerobic conditioning center, a free weight and nautilus area, a child care center, aerobic classes, 3 racquetball courts, a running track, an indoor playroom, and community meeting rooms. We provide a wide variety of programs and services for every member of the family to come together and enjoy.