OUR LEGACY

The historic Butler Street YMCA is one of only six remaining Heritage YMCAs of its kind. In the Spring of 1894, Mr. J. S. Brandon led the charge to organize the Butler Street Chapter as a spiritual, social and recreational beacon for the African-American community in Atlanta. Ultimately, the Butler Street facility was complete with 48 dormitory rooms, 7 class rooms, a small auditorium, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, shower baths, a café, and restrooms. The only minority YMCA in America to operate independently, Butler Street YMCA allowed visitors of color to find clean, safe accommodations, free of the demeaning exclusion that was the rule of Jim Crow. In two World Wars, such facilities also provided a safe haven for African American servicemen denied room and board, as well as food service elsewhere in a segregated society. Butler Street YMCA was home to many of Atlanta’s key business and civic leaders, educators and professionals during their transition to Atlanta from rural sections of the south in search of better opportunities.

Touted as “The Black City Hall of Atlanta,” Butler Street YMCA served as the hub of community activities in Atlanta for decades, particularly those related to the African American community. The facilities of Butler Street served as a convenient center for then Negro citizens to meet, petition and frequently negotiate civil rights issues and conflicts with city, county and state political candidates and officials. The first Negro police officers for the City of Atlanta were housed in Butler Street YMCA’s basement to facilitate Mayor Hartsfield’s agreement to employ Negro policemen in the city's precinct. The integration of the department was almost thwarted for lack of separate headquarters from which these new recruits could do their jobs, thus giving the Butler Street YMCA great significance in the struggle for equity in the City of Atlanta.

Through these doors have passed some of the city's most-renowned African-American leaders, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Vernon Jordan and the late Maynard Jackson, former mayor of Atlanta, who all grew up at the Butler Street YMCA. In the 1990's, an addition was built across the street and the Butler Street YMCA legacy continues to thrive into the 21st century.

HERITAGE YMCAS

The Heritage YMCAs were critical to the self-sustaining initiatives of the minority community, and were created in response to the needs of under served African-American men and boys to meet, learn and share a bond of Christian spirit and hope for the future. These early African American communities were firmly rooted in the church and committed to education and political advocacy against the injustices of slavery and Jim Crow.  However, its black residents were geographically restricted and socially and economically marginalized. As a result, Heritage YMCAs became proficient not only in the delivery of traditional YMCA programs, but also became pro-active in the spheres of social justice advocacy, human rights promotion and cultural competency. As we reflect back over the past generations, our success is evidenced by our dedication to lifelong learning for all segments of the community. Many of those who were educated as leaders in Heritage YMCAs are prominent and successful contributors to the community, and have excelled in all segments of society.

By the mid-1920’s, fifty-one city YMCAs and an additional 128 college chapters for African American students were established, with 28,000 members nationwide. Eventually, there were well over 200 Heritage Y’s located around this country. By 1965, that number dropped to forty-two and to date has dwindled to a mere six “heritage” associations. Those six are: Cannon Street YMCA – Charleston, South Carolina, Hunton YMCA – Norfolk, Virginia, Butler Street YMCA – Atlanta, Georgia, Dryades YMCA – New Orleans, Louisiana, Dearborn YMCA – Mobile, Alabama, West Broad Street YMCA – Savannah, Georgia. Today these six Y’s continue the legacy of providing programs and services that focus on the needs of minority communities. Although these Y’s provide some of the traditional programs seen in other YMCAs, such as youth sports and physical fitness, membership numbers are small and are not the primary source of income for them. Responding to the needs of their communities, these Y’s choose to focus on programs such as after school care, early childhood education, and teen programs like Black Achievers that are essential to reinforcing academic excellence, leadership skills and moral values.

YMCA OF THE USA

What We Do
The Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the nation’s health and well-being, and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors.

How we do it
There is no other nonprofit quite like the Y. That’s because in 10,000 neighborhoods across the nation, we have the presence and partnerships to not just promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.
   • The Y is community centered. For nearly 160 years, we’ve been listening and responding to our communities.
   • The Y brings people together. We connect people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gaps in community needs.
   • The Y nurtures potential. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
   • The Y has local presence and national reach. We mobilize local communities to effect lasting, meaningful change.

Our Impact
The Y is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. Every day our impact is felt when an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child and when a community comes together for the common good.