George Williams (YMCA) George Williams (YMCA) Sir George Williams (11 October 18216 November 1905) was an English philanthropist and founder of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). The oldest and largest youth charity in the world, its aim is to support young people to belong, contribute and thrive in their communities. Williams was born on a farm in Dulverton, Somerset, England and baptized into the Church of England. As a young man, he described himself as a "careless, thoughtless, godless, swearing young fellow". After an accident, his family sent him to Bridgwater to be an apprentice at a draper's shop. In 1837, Williams
George Williams (YMCA) converted from Anglicanism to Congregationalism. He went to the Zion Congregational Church and became an involved member. In 1841, he went to London and worked again in a draper's shop. After three years, in 1844, was promoted to department manager. He married the boss's daughter, Helen Jane Maunder Hitchcock in 1853. Williams became a member of the Weigh House Congregational Church and used his time for evangelization. Appalled by the terrible conditions in London for young working men, he gathered a group of his fellow drapers together to create a place that would not tempt young men into sin. That