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Established in 1959 and partner with The YMCAs of Québec since 1992.
In partnership with the Downtown and Saint-Laurent Y centres .

The ACJ* of Ecuador, which works in impoverished neighbourhoods in Quito and throughout Ecuador, focuses on child development, youth leadership and empowerment, and local community development, including micro-credit, and human rights. The ACJ is known worldwide for its innovative and effective youth programs. As well, it believes that youth have the right to live in dignity, without discrimination, can freely express their opinions, and exercise their social, civil and political rights. ACJ works in collaboration with many other YMCAs and local youth organizations and offers an Ecotourism program "YMCA Tours" (www.ymcatours.org) to promote responsible tourism and to support youth programs and local community development.

"Our mission is one of a people engaged in the management of its own development; people exercising their responsibilities and rights, conscious of their value as human beings. In this context, we see youth as leaders and actors in their society"…ACJ/YMCA of Ecuador

"The YMCA of Ecuador is not a recreation centre; it is a vehicle of empowerment for the poor, for youth, women and the disenfranchised" Germanico Pinto, former chairman of the board.

The YMCAs of Québec supports the ACJ/YMCA’s Youth Participation and Citizenship program which includes:

  • A Leadership School for Youth: “Entre Panas”, for young men and women from secondary schools and community groups. Sessions on self-esteem, intercultural awareness, gender equality, democracy, human rights, active citizenship, communication techniques and peace-building are offered.
  • A Youth Coalition: (with 5 other local organizations) to promote the rights of young people as active citizens. The Coalition organized a Youth Camp on themes that affect youth and issued a public manifesto, “Youth Coalition Against Free Trade.”
  • Communication: Youth are trained and then produce videos, radio programs, newsletters, posters, flyers, and website information geared towards youth.
  • A Culture Committee that integrates music, theatre, mime and dance into the ACJ/YMCA's outreach work in the south of Quito.
  • Day Camps: Youth are trained as volunteer animators for vacation day camps for children in poor neighbourhoods in Quito.
  • A promotional campaign, “No More Violence”, organized by the ACJ/YMCA and other organizations, urges people to stop purchasing violent toys. A television “spot” was distributed about this campaign, and a photo exposition in a public square highlighted the effects of war on children.

The YMCAs of Québec and ACJ/YMCA Ecuador collaborated over a 3 year period to produce an approach to children's rights education, published as the “Hands Up!” manual.

*ACJ: Asociación Cristiana de Jovenes