History of youth work History of youth work The history of youth work goes back to the birth of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, which was the first time that young men left their own homes and cottage industries to migrate to the big towns. The result of this migration was an emergent youth culture in urban areas, which was responded to by the efforts of local people. In 1844 the first organisation whose sole aim was to address the needs of young men was founded. The YMCA was set up by George Williams. Williams was from London and his goal was
George Huntston Williams George Huntston Williams George Huntston Williams (April 7, 1914 in Huntsburg – October 6, 2000) was an American professor of Unitarian theology and historian of the Socinian movement. Williams' father was a Unitarian minister in Ohio. Williams studied at St. Lawrence University (graduated 1936), and Meadville Theological School (graduated 1939). After studies in Paris and Strasbourg he became assistant minister of a Unitarian church in Rockford, Illinois, where he married. From 1941 he taught church history at the Unitarian affiliated Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA, and at the nearby Pacific School of Religion, while studying for