About Us

The YMCA is a charity that has been helping Canadians improve their lives since the first Y opened in Montreal in 1851. YMCA programs are offered at more than 1,700 locations across Canada and help more than 2.25 million people annually become healthier in spirit, mind, and body.

Our Charitable Purpose

The YMCA in Canada is dedicated to the growth of all persons in spirit, mind, and body, and to their sense of responsibility to each other and the global community.

While all YMCAs in Canada share this overarching purpose, each local YMCA is driven by their own mission statement to help them address the unique needs of their communities.

Our Values

• Caring
• Respect
• Honesty
• Responsibility
• Inclusiveness

The YMCA in Canada

The Canadian YMCA Federation is made up of a national office and 37 Member Associations across the country who share a common mandate to build healthy communities through the power of belonging. We’ve been uniting people behind this cause in one way or another since 1851 when the YMCA was first established in Canada. Today, 35 YMCAs and 2 YMCA-YWCAs in Canada offer programs and services tailored to the needs of their communities.

Member Associations

Each YMCA Member Association in Canada is a registered charity and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, elected by YMCA voting members.

Each YMCA in Canada coordinates the programs and services offered in their own communities, tailored to meet their specific needs. They are responsible for their operations and can be contacted directly about any details specific to their facilities, programs, and services.

YMCA Canada National Office

The national office of the Canadian YMCA Federation fosters and stimulates the development of strong Member Associations and encourages collaborative initiatives; protects and enhances the reputation of the YMCA; and advocates on behalf of Associations regionally, nationally, and internationally. 

The Global YMCA

YMCA Canada is a member of the World YMCA, a federation of YMCAs in more than 120 countries across the globe. The YMCA is the one of the oldest and largest youth organizations in the world. Each national YMCA is its own independent organization and serves its community uniquely according to its context and needs. However, all YMCAs are united through a shared global strategy and collectively, the global YMCA Movement reaches over 60 million people a year. 
 

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