Young Women's Christian Association of Greater Hartford.

At the time of its formation in 1866, the Hartford Association was one of the earliest Associations for young women in America, and the first community social agency in Hartford. In 1867, the Association was incorporated as The Women's Christian Association, with rooms for rent at two adjacent Hartford locations. These boarding facilities for young women were to be self-supporting and offer “most of the advantages of a well-ordered Christian home at much less price than a common boarding house.” The rooms were open every day and evening “for social purposes, reading, Bible and singing classes.” In an effort to provide further support to its residents, an employment service was established.

In 1889, an education program was formed with classes in typing, stenography, bookkeeping, penmanship, and grammar, along with a health education program offering classes in first aid, hygiene, and physical culture. In an effort to broaden its reach, a Group Work program was established in 1899 to offer the services of the Association to girls of the general community rather than only to those in the residence and workshop. Around 1912, with an expanding demand on the Association facilities, a site at Ann and Church Streets was purchased, a building campaign was launched, and, in 1916 a new building was erected. In 1926, Camp Aya-Po in Somers, Connecticut, was added to the Association's facilities. The same year, the Association changed its name to the Young Women's Christian Association and the personal basis of membership was adopted to replace the Protestant Evangelical membership requirement.

Throughout the 1940s, the YWCA continued to expand its services, acquiring space in West Hartford, Windsor and Wethersfield. In 1966, it was decided that the YWCA of Hartford County and the YWCA of Greater Hartford should unite to form one organization, allowing service expansion throughout the metropolitan area, and greater access to services for area residents.

During the 1970s and 1980s, YWCA programs changed and expanded to reflect the changing needs of women in Connecticut . While continuing to offer courses and counseling in career services, child care and physical fitness, a Jobs Corps program focused on employment and job training was establishment to meet the needs and demands of women moving from the home into the workplace. Programs in rape crisis, sexual assault crisis, sex equity, child abuse and women in leadership were established. The needs of a growing senior citizenry were addressed with a Senior Service program, Widow-to-Widow, and Neighborcare, while programs for teens were enlarged to encompass teens as parents, summer youth employment training and career exploration.

As part of its sense of global responsibility toward all women, the YWCA of Greater Hartford took part in a national boycott of the Nestlé Corporation from 1978 to 1981 in order to bring attention to advertising tactics throughout third world countries, which contributed to placing infants at risk from contaminated formula.

From the guide to the Young Women's Christian Association of Greater Hartford Records., undated, 1867-1988., (Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Center .)