WGBH This week in history: The first YMCA is the U.S. is started in Boston The Boston Y also pioneered the idea of technical schools and night schools with their “evening institute,” which they spun off in 1916 as The Northeastern College of the YMCA — today, Northeastern University. “I joked with [Northeastern President] Joseph Aoun one time I said, ‘Joseph we birthed you,’” Washington said. “He laughs about it, […]