About the YMCA Lebanon

Our Collective Vision:

 

The YMCA stands for a just, sustainable, equitable, and inclusive world in which every young person and every human being, of any background, lives in harmony with self, with society, and with all Creation.

 

Our Collective Mission:

 

The YMCA’s mission is to empower young people and communities worldwide to build a just, sustainable, equitable, and inclusive world, where every person can thrive in body, mind, and spirit.

 

Our Values: Inclusiveness, Integrity, Equity & Growth

 

 

Inclusiveness: we believe in diversity and the right of people, with all their different abilities, to realize themselves in their societies, no matter what their religion, gender or ethnicity is.

 

 

Integrity: we believe that integrity is an inseparable virtue from a just society that treats its people with fairness, care and relevance.

 

 

Equity: we believe that all people, with all their different diversities, have equal rights to access health care, education and live well under the rule of law.

 

 

Growth: we believe that all people have the right to dream for a better life, especially young people, who represent the future, and are the change agents that drive innovation to the next level.

 

Who We Are?

 

The YMCA of Lebanon shares with its sister organizations all over the world the goal of fostering the development of healthy bodies, minds, and spirits for all human beings.

 

Being an active member of the Lebanese NGO community, the YMCA strives to be a place where people volunteer to share the pain and joy of others.  We are working towards meeting the challenging task of healing the many wounds of the past wars while also building a just and prosperous future for all Lebanese citizens.  We look to serve all Lebanese and those on Lebanese soil regardless of their color, race, religion, sex, abilities, and/or political affiliations.

 

Recognizing its historical responsibility to the people of Lebanon, the YMCA walks forward hand in hand with other CBOs, both international and local, as well as with government organizations and other institutions to help build a better Lebanon.

 

How do we work?

 

 1-Development of healthy bodies, minds, and spirits

 


 

Our Board of Directors :

Mr. Ghassan Sayah   Chairman     
Mrs. Sohaila Hayek  Vice-Chairman     
Ms. Rana El-Khoury  Secretary
Mr. Tony Frem  Treasurer 
Dr. Albert Jokhadar  Member 
Dr. Mounir Doumit  Member 
Dr. Georges Assaf  Member 
Miss Rana Demian Member 
Mr. Jean-Paul El-Osta Member 

 

Chief Executive Officer :  Mr. Issam Bishara

History

The YMCA Lebanon is a non-profit, local organization, originally founded in 1890 as a charitable association to serve the needs of young people. Since then, the YMCA has expanded the reach of its programs in response to the country's changing dynamics, becoming one of Lebanon's leading national civil society organizations.

 

YMCA operates with an even-handed approach, targeting all Lebanese people regardless of political, religious, sectarian or geographic affiliations, and regardless of age or gender. The organization has historically focused on a comprehensive approach to national development that benefits the most disadvantaged and marginalized population in Lebanon by addressing their needs in education, child protection, health and medical support, and economic support.

 

We have worked and continue to work with over 400 local organizations, municipalities, and schools from all areas of Lebanon. The YMCA also runs extensive programs on environmental protection and preservation, agriculture, rural development, capacity building, youth activities, good governance, and vocational training in order to best serve the Lebanese community as a whole.

 

Community Centricity Policy

 

 

Approach:

 

The YMCA of Lebanon addresses these four pillars within its work on strengthening the local community, empowering youth and community members, and promoting community contribution and ownership.

 

 

YMCA Community-Centered Approach