In 1904, Joseph E. Hubbard was sent to Cuba to assist in establishing a YMCA. The Cuban Y was founded on May 12, 1905 in Havana. This Association served both Americans and Cubans. A building was rented, a gymnasium was opened, Bible classes were held, a boys' camp was facilitated, and Cubans were added to the board of directors. Havana had difficulties raising money early on. In 1911, an effort was made, encouraged by a conditional offer of $75,000 from the YMCA International Committee, to obtain 150,000 in Havana for a new building. The Catholic bishop publicly attacked the project as Protestant, Spanish clubs were opposed, American business men were lukewarm and the campaign fell far from the goal. In 1915 a building was erected with mostly money from the International Committee. In 1921, Everett James Simonds replaced Hubbard. For a time the Havana Association continued to grow through the financial support of the Cubans. Simonds left in 1926. Cuban Luis Machado was president, but in general, able Cuban leadership was lacking, especially for the secretarial posts. Simonds was replaced by Herbert Watson Chaffee. Unfortunately, arguments about finances and revisions of the constitution arose between the Cubans and the North Americans. The building was in horrible shape and debts were accumulated. The depression struck and with it fell the economy. And for all of the above reasons the effort in Havana came to an unfortunate end. In 1941 the building was sold.
From the description of Records of YMCA international work in Cuba, 1904-1979 (bulk 1904-1941). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 775069639
