Much of the global work of the Seattle YMCA is done through YMCA Partners.  Partnerships are developed based on the mutual interests of both YMCAs.  Because of our Pacific Northwest location, many of the Seattle YMCA partners are based in Asia, but as the Seattle community has become more global, partnerships in other parts of the world have been developed.  Listed below are the Seattle YMCAs current partners.

KOBE, JAPAN
Established in 1966 shortly after Kobe City became Seattle’s first official Sister City.
Activities included Global Teens youth exchanges, staff learning exchanges focused on child camping and healthy living, VIP visits for celebrations.  In 1995 the Seattle Y provided financial support after the Great Hanshi Earthquake.   In 2011 the Seattle Y has also supported relief efforts related to the Tsunami, working with the Japan national movement and local Ys in Sendai, Tochigi and Morioka.

CHIANGMAI, THAILAND
Established in 1989 as a three-way partnership including Kobe, Japan. The primary focus has been on service learning trips of young adults to support development of facilities in high poverty areas.   Our groups have successfully built a library and community center and made improvements at an orphanage.  The Ys have also exchanged staff and volunteers for learning experiences.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Established in 2005, this partnership evolved as an outgrowth of the Seattle YMCA’s Alive and Free violence prevention program.  The Cape Town YMCA addresses issues related to youth in Cape Town, who are jailed for being orphans if they are under 14 years old.   Seattle YMCA staff have trained volunteer counselors in Cape Town to provide skills for survival and avoiding violence as they are released from prison. 

CALI, COLOMBIA
Established in 2007, this partnership began to support the movement strengthening efforts of international YMCA.  This effort was coordinated with the Colombian National YMCA and the YMCA of the USA International Group.  Over a two year period workshops and training have been held on governance, board development and sustainability starting in Cali, and culminating with a session led by Cali YMCA Board members at the country’s bi-annual convention.  The partnership has evolved to include the first Global Teens trip in 2011, and the Cali YMCA was the first pilot in the Y’s microfinance/micro-philanthropy web site www.ymicro.org.

The Cali YMCA recently celebrated 25 years of program innovation and creative response to social needs of the most vulnerable in the Cali metropolitan area.  Programs include YMCA schools for street children, community library centers in surrounding towns and youth leadership.

JERUSALEM INTERNATIONAL YMCA (2010)
Since 1933, the Jerusalem International YMCA has served as a place of hope and peace in the Holy Land.  It is a place with an  atmosphere of peace, where political and religious jealousies can be forgotten and international unity is being fostered and developed.  The Seattle YMCA has partnered with the JIY as an opportunity to learn from their efforts to create acceptance and understanding in a region where differences are often divisive.
 
GWANGJU, KOREA (2011)
Our newest partnership started with a Global Teens trip in 2011. Gwangju YMCA is located in the Southwestern region of Korea and serves the community through youth education programs such as summer camps, afterschool and day care programs and vocational training schools.  The Y also works with food co-ops and promoting environmental awareness.

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