There are 34 local associations of the YMCA in Japan and over five thousand young volunteers involved in various activities such as leaders for camps and programmes with handicapped children. YMCAs in Japan have always tried to respond to the needs of society by working in the fields of life-long learning, higher education, health and fitness, social welfare and community development, and also by placing themselves on the side of those whose voices often go unheard; specifically children, women, immigrants and the elderly. Some YMCAs have also built homes for elderly people, Day-Care centers, Home support service centers, and also launched Training courses for Home-helpers.