The YMCA Resource Center traces its roots back to 1970. In January of that year, YMCA volunteers and staff proposed creation of a program to prevent an increase in the incidence of drug abuse by developing drug education programs. From 1970 to 1981, the YMCA established and ran the Drug Information Action Line (D.I.A.L.), providing telephone answers to requests for drug information.

During the 1980’s and into the 1990’s, the program changed its focus to provide prevention education and community leadership development, and no longer operated the telephone “hot line”. In 1981, the program changed its name to the “Resource Center” to reflect this change and in 1985, the Resource Center became one of the nine, “full-fledged” branches of the YMCA of Delaware.

In the mid ‘90’s, the Resource Center sharpened its focus to include a range of youth leadership, substance abuse prevention, and violence prevention programming and services. It became known nationally for its programming and focus on community and youth development. The Resource Center also began professional development education for the YMCA of Delaware branches. Since then, in addition to programs in every school district in the state, the Resource Center has served as a valuable “internal consultant” for the YMCA of Delaware providing information on youth leadership, substance abuse prevention, and positive life skills.

Over the years, the Resource Center has developed, administered, and/or facilitated a wide range of programs for the benefit of Delaware youth and the adults who work with them. The programs are founded on research-based principles of effectiveness and approaches that work. From the beginning, the Resource Center has relied on government grants and contracts for the majority of its funding. Consequently, in many instances, the programs done by the Resource Center have been developed as a result of funding available. Conversely, reliance on government funding has also meant that some programs ended once they were not longer funded.

Each year the Resource Center serves thousands of Delawareans through its information and referral telephone lines, video collections, and its innovative leadership, substance abuse prevention, life skills, and conflict resolution programs. Annually, the Resource Center reaches well over 20,000 Delaware youth and children, and thousands more adults with over 40 well-regarded and important programs. From the sparking of an idea in 1970, the YMCA Resource Center has grown in scope and form and continues to look for new ways to serve Delawareans. As a branch of the YMCA of Delaware, it maintains its commitment to “build strong kids, strong families, strong communities”.