Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Y

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of AAPI communities across the country. At the Greater Scranton YMCA, we’re proud to recognize the AAPI leaders and moments that have helped shape the YMCA movement and continue to inspire our work today.

A Legacy of Leadership: The Chinatown YMCA Did you know the first Chinese American YMCA was founded in San Francisco in 1911? It offered health lectures, English and Mandarin classes, and even had a machine shop, serving as a vital hub for the local community. Today, the Chinatown YMCA remains a beacon of support and connection.

Duke Kahanamoku: Olympian and Surfing Pioneer Duke Kahanamoku, a gold medal Olympic swimmer, trained at the Central Y and set world records in the 400 and 500 relay races in 1916. After retiring from competition, he traveled the world giving swimming exhibitions and introduced the sport of surfing to the mainland U.S., sharing a piece of his Hawaiian heritage with generations to come.

Fred Hoshiyama: A Life of Service and Resilience – Fred Hoshiyama dedicated nearly 40 years to the YMCA, except for the time he spent in a WWII internment camp. Even there, he created YMCA-style programs to support the social and educational needs of fellow Japanese Americans. He later helped revitalize the YMCA student movement in the 1970s and inspired the creation of a scholarship in his name, supporting the professional growth of Y staff of Asian Pacific Islander heritage.