The YMCA stands resolute in our commitment to foster hope, growth, and strength.
As we embark on the next chapter of our journey, our Strategic Plan 2024-2028 is our visionary roadmap designed to ignite potential and resilience in the lives of young people, our employees and seniors. We aspire to provide leadership that champions mental well-being, develops resilient young people, combats social inequities, and nurtures the potential
within every individual.
2025 Annual Operating Plan Third Quarter Results
Q3 2025 Results: Strengthening Our Community Impact
YMCA Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford has released its Q3 2025 Annual Operating Plan results, showing steady progress across our YES priorities: Young People, Employees, and Seniors. Participation and engagement continue to grow across our programs and services.
- 83,942 community members served
- 50,165 young people reached
- 5,703 seniors engaged
Enabled access remained strong, with 26,877 participants supported and 15,774 from priority communities. This reflects our ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion.
Quarterly Outcomes for Young People, Employees, and Seniors
Young People – Building Resilience
- Data collection advanced across Youth Employment, Swimming, and Camp Wanakita leadership programs. Early findings include:
- Swimming Lessons: Resilience scores held steady in the thriving range.
- Camp Wanakita SC Program: Scores increased from 34.5 to 35.8, demonstrating positive impact.
- Additional results will be available in Q4.
Employees – Strengthening Culture and Recognition
Q3 focused on rolling out the Leadership Recognition Toolkit, advancing the Compensation Review, and supporting leadership development.
A pulse check on recognition showed improvement to 66.6, providing direction ahead of the full Q4 survey.
Seniors – Fostering Belonging
Senior engagement rose to 5,703, keeping us on track for year-end goals.
Early Aquafit findings show strong belonging scores:
- 90.7 for connection
- 77.0 for celebration
Further data collection continues through Balance+, Optimal Fitness, and GERAS Dance.
As we implement the Annual Operating Plan throughout 2025, we will continue to share quarterly updates, highlight our learning, and celebrate the lives being changed across our communities.
Igniting Potential to Save Lives
The essence of this strategic plan is grounded in our unwavering
belief in the boundless potential of each person. You can download our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan here:
Special Initiative: Empowering Youth: Resilience Through Swim Lessons
Some youth taking Star Level swim lessons in Fall 2025 will be part of a special project. YMCA staff will be collecting data to understand if participating in swim lessons changes how resilient children feel. Resilience means how well they can handle challenges and bounce back from tough times.
Why are we doing this? Improving resilience in youth is a goal in the YMCA HBB's plan for the year. We believe that by being part of the YMCA community, your child can build strong relationships and develop healthy habits. This helps them become more resilient.
Read this information letter for more details on this initiative.
Our YMCA Ecosystem of Offerings
Our Cause
Lifting people wherever they may be in their life journey, through our programs and spaces of belonging.
The Y Saves Lives.
Our Vision
Creating a vibrant and healthy community where everyone thrives, igniting their fullest potential.
Our Mission
The YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington| Brantford is a charitable organization that creates spaces to belong and promotes healthy living for people at all stages of life.
Our Values
Caring. Honesty. Inclusion. Respect. Responsibility.
