The YMCA Family Tree

The branches of the “YMCA family tree” offer insight into one of the fascinating aspects of the history of the YMCA in the United States. “Railroad YMCAs” historically located at the major rail centers, “Armed Services YMCAs” serving members of the military and their dependents, and “Student YMCAs” all reflect the serviceful mission of the YMCA.

In Connecticut there remains today a vestige of one of the “Student YMCAs”. Founded in 1881 as the Young Men’s Christian Association at Yale, Dwight Hall at Yale has gradually evolved to become an inclusive place for students of diverse backgrounds and beliefs to connect with the community. While Dwight Hall has changed significantly since its beginnings at the end of the 19th century, the Hall’s interest in promoting public service, social justice, and the reflection which brought the Hall into existence continues today.

The mission of Dwight Hall at Yale is to foster civic-minded student leaders and to promote service and activism in New Haven, Connecticut, and around the world.

In keeping with its mission, Dwight Hall seeks to enable students to stretch how they learn and to better understand who they are through active engagement with the world beyond the Yale campus. The combination of thought and practice results in exceptional graduates who combine the knowledge and passion needed to continue the Dwight Hall tradition of promoting service and activism.

Dwight Hall is the Center for Public Service and Social Justice at Yale. It is an independent nonprofit umbrella organization that provides support and fosters communication among 3,500 students in over 60 student-run member organizations whose primary purposes fall within Dwight Hall’s mission. Dwight Hall also operates its own programs, supervised by the professional staff and the many student volunteers, which focus on community development, education, and leadership development. Dwight Hall resources are shared among the member organizations and are managed by a professional staff.

For further information on Dwight Hall, visit on the Web at www.dwighthall.org