Since 1923 in Vicksburg, the Young Men’s Christian Association has been working to “help people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body.” The organization is still driven by that same principle today — but under an abbreviated name.

The YMCA of the USA has decided to be called “‘the Y,” which is how people most commonly refer to the organization. The YMCA will remain the nonprofit’s legal name. In a release, the national Y office said the change is aiming to better define the organization and its efforts.

“The YMCA has unveiled a new brand strategy to increase understanding of the impact the nonprofit makes in communities,” the release said.

Herb Wilkinson, veteran director of The Junius Ward Johnson Memorial Y organization here, said there was no hesitation for the local branch to embrace the change.

“We’re dropping some initials, not Christian values,” Wilkinson said. “I think it’s recognizing that since everyone already calls us ‘the Y,’ let’s do the same.”

Wilkinson, who has been the director since 1967, said the logo has also been changed for the first time in 43 years — now having more color-combination options and a modernized aesthetic. He said Ys nationwide will have five years to transition to the new logo.

A poll in the last two years, Wilkinson said, revealed more than 90 percent of Americans recognize the organization’s name and logo, but don’t understand what the letter stands for.

“We are about putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all — programs such as child care, aquatics, day and resident camping, fitness/healthy lifestyle promotion, and youth sports and recreation,” Wilkinson said.

For decades, Y programs here have been open to men and women of all ages. The Johnson family, who endowed the first YMCA here at Clay and Monroe streets, also endowed a separate YMCA for blacks. It fell into disuse and disrepair in the 1980s, was deeded to the City of Vicksburg and collapsed. The Jackson Street Center was built on the site. All Y activities were desegregated more than 30 years ago.

The YMCA was founded as a small, men’s Bible study group in London in 1844. The initial idea was to provide clean and orderly housing for young men, often traveling for their jobs or in search of work. Many other inns at the time were attached to bars or taverns.

In 1923, when the YMCA was established in Vicksburg, the local organization and buildings were used primarily for that purpose.

“When I came to Vicksburg in 1966, the Y had a strong mission to provide single, working men with a place to live, offering them a Christian lifestyle rather than life on the streets,” Wilkinson said. “Our purpose to help the community is essentially the same. We were doing it in 1923 with dorm rooms for single men, and we are doing it in 2010 with day care for single parents.”

The local Y organization, supported by membership fees, the United Way and programs fees, no longer owns or operates its former downtown location, which featured a gym, indoor pool, racquetball courts and fitness equipment. Programs are now based at the Purks complex on East Clay Street with the Ver Beck Branch on Oak Ridge Road, the Raworth Branch on Halls Ferry Road and Warner-Tully residential campground in Claiborne County.

According to Wilkinson, the Junius Ward Johnson Memorial Y has approximately 4,000 total members in Vicksburg.

One of those is Ann Vessel, who, along with husband Jimmy Vessel, has been a member for more than 50 years.

“We try to come three times a week,” Mrs. Vessel said. “I just like the Y. It has a friendly atmosphere and is well-rounded.”

As for the name change, she said, “I already called it that, so I’m fine with it.”

Wilkinson agrees that the transition is fitting.

“Periodically things change and the Y is no different,” he said. “It’s true: We’re now ‘the Y.’ Today, folks can join the Y, the entity; whereas, a week ago they could join the Y, the acronym.”