■-------------------------------- The Basilica Recreation Centre - Before and After action after reflecting on their reality and the conditions of those around them. In addition to the fact that YCW is organized by the members themselves, there are other good reasons for being involved. It is a chance to take action to improve the local community and wider society. YCW helps to develop the confidence, social skills, faith and social awareness of the young people it touches. It helps young people meet new friends from all over the country and worldwide through its actions, meetings, training and social events. A young priest, Father Joseph Cardijn , founded the YCW in 1925. After seeing how hard his father had to work all his life, he swore to become a priest of the working poor. On his appointment as curate in Laeken, Belgium, Cardijin founded a group for young women needle workers. He also founded a group for young boys, and from this came the first three YCW leaders, Fernard Tonnet, Paul Garcet and Jacques Meert . In 1924, the Young Trade Unionists, as they were called, became the Young Christian Workers, with Cardijn as national chaplain. In March 1925, Pope Pius X 1 received the founder of the YCW in Rome and gave the movement the sanction of the church. On the 12th of February, 1965, Pope Paul V 1 consecrated Cardijn as a bishop and made him a cardinal for his work with the YCW. Around 1965, a group of young people spent many hours fixing up a room on the second floor that had never been completed. This was at the west end of the building at the end of the auditorium. They called the room the Kophe Kup and it served as an informal gathering room for young working people over 18 years old. Kaye Larkin, a nurse, and Frank Murray , a construction worker, were early members. One of them recalls, "After hundreds of volunteer hours from our Young Christian Workers, our interdenominational Kophe Kup headquarters opened. Some evenings we packed in over 50 people. We charged 35 cents a cup for coffee or hot chocolate. Restaurants at the time were charging 15 cents a cup. The price of 35 cents helped pay the rent and other costs." entertainers who performed at the Rec Centre included Winnie Chafe , Tommy Makem, Johnny Cash , June Carter , Stattler Brothers and John Allan Cameron . Local entertainers included Gene MacLellan , Buff Connolly, S3