Causes: Leadership Development

Mission: The University Y develops campus and community leaders committed to social justice, environmental protection, interfaith cooperation and global engagement by fostering dialogue, reflection and action.

Geographic areas served: Champaign County, IL

Programs: The University YMCA offers numerous programs for students and community members, centered around our four core values of social justice, environmental protection, global engagement and interfaith dialogue. Among them are:

The Fred S. Bailey Scholarship: Nearly $200,000 in scholarships are awarded each year to students who demonstrate a record of leadership, scholarship and intelligence, evidence of thoughtful consideration of issues, involvement in their community, a commitment to giving back to their community, a history of community service and volunteering. Since 1957, the Bailey Scholarship has been administered by the YMCA of the University of Illinois.

The New American Welcome Center: The New American Welcome Center at the University Y helps immigrants fully integrate into American society and prepares receiving communities around Champaign County to be welcoming and inclusive. By engaging local institutions and mobilizing community resources, we help make our community a place where newcomers and immigrants can thrive and flourish.

Friday Forum: A weekly lecture series held during the fall and spring semesters that strives to raise awareness about national and international trends and events. Friday Forum has been continuously running since 1927 at the University YMCA, adapting to the times while remaining committed to providing talks that address topics of relevance and urgency in our society. All lectures are held at noon in Latzer Hall for approximately one hour.

Dump & Run: A recycling program that keeps over 30 tons of used, quality goods out of Champaign-Urbana’s dumpsters and landfills each year. We collect donated items from students and community, sort through them and sell them at low cost in August at our Big Sale. This project reduces litter and consumer waste, saves space in landfills, lowers dumping costs for certified housing and apartments and provides inexpensive items for students and others to purchase in the fall during move-in weekend.

Art @ the Y: Some of the most profound insight, critique, and creative thinking around the issues which comprise the mission of the Y happen in and around the arts. Art @ the Y seeks to engage issues of social justice, international understanding, environmental activism, faith and cultural understanding through quality arts programming. Art @ the Y includes a revolving exhibition space in Murphy Gallery on the first floor of the University YMCA. All Art @ the Y events are free and open to the public.

Student Programs: The University YMCA works with students at the University of Illinois to develop cause-driven leaders, ready to affect tangible change in today's world. We currently sponsor and work with 11 Registered Student Organizations at the U of I; Alternative Spring Break, Amnesty International, Engineers Without Borders, Grow2Give, I-Cause, Interfaith-in-Action, La Colectiva, Philippine Student Association, Save the Children Action Network, vermiCUlture, VIS-A-VIS Tutoring. Our Student Board brings representatives from all of these groups together to further collaboration and opportunities. Students are also allowed to serve on our Board of Governors, with up to 7 spots reserved for current University of Illinois students.