The global Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has brought about the best and the worst of times for young people, and for the worldwide YMCA Movement.
#WeShallOvercome
Read about our Covid-19 work – from supporting our communities, to rallying round one another as national YMCAs, to global advocacy, to rethinking our purpose and practice
‘Resilience’ has been our watchword in facing up to hardships, and ‘Reimagination’ in going forward stronger, better and more focussed.
Young people have been at the centre of the response, and they will be at the centre of mapping our future.
Covid-19 has hit the global YMCA Movement hard, and it has hit young people hard
Many YMCAs have had to stop doing the things they have been doing for years, and doing best: meeting people face to face, supporting them, empowering them. Many have had to close premises and activities; some have had to lay off staff.
As a global YMCA Movement, we have shown Resilience, and the need for Resilience remains as high as ever.
Latest news
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2021: a message from our Secretary General
Dear friends, 2020 brought massive disruption to the YMCA Movement and to millions of youn...
05/01/2021 -
YMCA and Covid in 2020
It is a story of resilience and hope. Look back with us at the YMCA response to the pandem...
21/12/2020 -
Becoming an ‘Adaptive YMCA’ for the 21st Century
World YMCA published a blueprint for the entire YMCA Movement to navigate through and out ...
18/12/2020 -
130 Change Agents from 50 countries graduate
‘Be the change you want to see’, said World YMCA President Patricia Pelton, quoting Ma...
17/12/2020 -
Big 6 Youth Organisations launch policy recommendations for the post-pandemic reality
Geneva, 15 December 2020. The Big Six – the world’s six largest youth organisations ...
15/12/2020 -
Launch of “Global Youth Mobilization for Generation Disrupted”
World YMCA and five other youth organizations join WHO in launching global mobilization to...
14/12/2020
YMCA resources
YMCA Europe response to Covid-19: during the pandemic, YMCAs across Europe have been determined to help their communities as far as possible, establishing some best practices.
YMCA Latin America and Caribbean web section dedicated to Covid-19: videos, articles and information in spanish
Impact and survey data: YMCA Europe implemented the COVID-19 Impact Survey to understand how the crisis has influenced the situation in YMCAs and what kind of support is the most relevant (September 2020)
Situation reports
YMCAs responded rapidly on multiple fronts to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19
External resources
Coping with coronavirus: a guide for young people by the Mental Health Foundation
What we know about young people and COVID-19: a report from WHO (August 2020)
Youth & COVID-19: Impacts on jobs, education, rights and mental well-being: global report by ILO (August 2020)
Solidarity Fund
The YMCA Solidarity Fund was established in April 2020 to offer institutional support to national YMCAs who are struggling due to the Covid-19 pandemic
