ESC: HAPPY DAY

The Association of YMCA Siderno has been involved for over seventy years in the training and support of young people, always promoting a physical, moral and spiritual growth. Currently made up of 500 members, it is a reference point in the territory thanks to several social activities and competitive/amateur sports events. Founded by a group of volunteers in 1948, it soon became a meeting point for hundreds of young people. The YMCA association, during such difficult times, made it possible for many to even obtain their first basketball shoes, in addition to more essential goods, such as foodstuffs, blankets, clothes and so on. The YMCA built as well the first public locker rooms in the whole area, besides being one of the first companies getting the affiliation to the Italian Basketball Federation, an award that made it possible to participate in the first official meetings in 1956. Later on, it became one of the first organizations able to host groups of young people from other countries, allowing the Calabrian’s young people to experience the same. YMCA Siderno has always been, and it still is, the most important youth related organization in the whole territory. According to the Constitutive Declaration of the Italian Federation Y.M.C.A., the Portovenere Base, Y.M.C.A. SIDERNO is a free association, independent from any other civil or religious organization, made up of young people who wish to promote the development of their physical personality, intellectual, social and spiritual, in faith and Christian life, according to the beliefs and traditions of each with absolute exclusion of all propaganda in favor of political parties or particular denominations. For this purpose, the Association YMCA Siderno, which is a non-profit organization: - Promotes volunteerism and social welfare activities, sport and culture, also of vocational training, the protection of nature and environment; - Realizes social, recreational programs and school assistance for children and adolescents, exchange and hospitality among young people at national and international level; - Carries out activities of collaboration with the civil and religious institutions, entities that do not have a profit objective and with individuals and associations of the elderly; - Promotes what else is suitable to achieve the harmonious and comprehensive development of the human personality, mostly young people, with particular reference to their members and the disadvantaged for physical, mental, economic, family and social, following the principles in the Declaration of Portovenere. YMCA Siderno normally reaches at least 450 young people during the year who are directly involved in the local activity such as basketball, mini basketball, summer day camp. The target is aged between 4 years old and 18 years old.