John O. Root

John O. Root

Young Men's Christian Association of North America;

John Root; YMCA; YMCA Hall of Fame; YMCA of Chicago;

Portrait illustration of John O. Root. John O. Root’s career and education were interrupted by a five-year term as an Air Force Officer during WWII. After the war, he returned to George Williams College and graduated with a physical education degree in 1946. After many years of YMCA service, he became president of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago (Ill.) in 1963 and served in that capacity for 20 years. He left a legacy of broadening the scope of the YMCA, while expanding and strengthening its traditional programs. A number of Chicago’s new program initiatives became national models for YMCAs and other human service agencies.Under his leadership, the Y replaced inner city buildings with new facilities and implemented a new Human and Community Development Center concept in collaboration with other nonprofit agencies. He served on numerous national, regional, and local YMCA boards, as well as on municipal and community agency committees.

Processed;

Springfield College

1970-1989?

2010-08-03

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RG 103 YMCA Hall of Fame Papers

http://www.spfldcol.edu/homepage/library.nsf/78D4B8F1DEB9FDC38525741100498AC9/F75FFB60247BF41A85257639005F614A?OpenDocument

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