YMCA Stories

Written by a YMCA Beyond the Bell™ SupervisorJane* was a last-minute addition to camp.

August 3 marks the first YMCA Day at the Ballpark in Brantford—a celebration of community, sport, and shared values between two local institutions.

Every day, thousands of Canadians pass by a pool or a lake without giving it a second thought. But for Owen and Preeti, stepping into the water has been nothing short of life-changing.

When Rupert first arrived in Hamilton, he was filled with equal parts excitement and uncertainty. 

The results are in—and our community came through in a big way!

For 18-year-old Matthew Bell, what began as a school-to-work internship at the YMCA has become a launchpad for personal growth, skill development, and a future career in caretaking—thanks to the support of

After more than a decade of brewing coffee and building community, Café Amicus will close its doors at the Ron Edwards Family YMCA on June 21.

For Mary Cox, the story of Camp Wanakita didn’t begin with a childhood memory or a summer job. It began with a fresh start.

When Rusty Sutherland talks about the Tachane Foundation, there’s a quiet but unmistakable sense of purpose in his voice.