Blog post Archives

Finding Belonging and Opportunity: Sai and Karthic’s Journey

Blog post, Employment Services, Newcomers, Y Stories

Finding Belonging and Opportunity: Sai and Karthic’s Journey

A New Beginning in Niagara When Sai and her husband, Karthic, left India to pursue their Master’s degrees in the United States, they dreamed of building a bright future together. But as the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world, they felt called to Canada — drawn by its strong pandemic response and reputation for welcoming newcomers. Arriving in the Niagara Region was exciting but challenging. Even with postgraduate degrees, [...]

Laura Drapeau2025-07-22T12:51:30-04:00July 22nd, 2025|Blog post, Employment Services, Newcomers, Y Stories|

Beyond Swim Lessons: How the YMCA is Transforming Water Safety in Niagara

Aquatics, Blog post, Health, Team YMCA, Water Safety

Beyond Swim Lessons: How the YMCA is Transforming Water Safety in Niagara

Every summer, National Drowning Prevention Week reminds Canadians of the crucial role water safety plays in our lives. But here at the YMCA of Niagara, water safety isn’t just a one-week campaign — it’s a year-round commitment. We sat down with Carrie, Aquatics Coordinator at the Niagara West YMCA, to get an insider’s perspective on why the YMCA is more than a swim lesson provider — it’s a public [...]

Laura Drapeau2025-07-21T08:25:27-04:00July 18th, 2025|Aquatics, Blog post, Health, Team YMCA, Water Safety|

Building Belonging: Rachel’s Story of Inclusion

Blog post, Child and Youth, Community, Connection, Fitness, Health, Inclusive, Well-being, Y Stories

Building Belonging: Rachel’s Story of Inclusion

When Rachel’s son was diagnosed with a rare disease during the pandemic, many of the supports her family relied on vanished overnight. But the Niagara West YMCA in Grimsby stayed open and ready to help. “The YMCA was still open and thriving,” she says. “So, we joined the YMCA and utilized their pool for hydrotherapy for my son every single day.” For the past five [...]

YMCA of Niagara2025-07-18T11:35:38-04:00July 4th, 2025|Blog post, Child and Youth, Community, Connection, Fitness, Health, Inclusive, Well-being, Y Stories|

6 Ways Kids Grow at Camp

Blog post, Camp

6 Ways Kids Grow at Camp

Help Campers Unlock Their Unlimited Potential At the YMCA of Niagara, we believe that every child has the potential to shine—but sometimes they just need a little spark.For generations, our day camps have helped children build confidence, explore nature, try new skills, and form lifelong friendships. This summer, our Camp Trail campaign is celebrating the six most meaningful ways kids grow at camp—what we call our “milestones.” And guess [...]

Laura Drapeau2025-06-27T11:18:55-04:00June 26th, 2025|Blog post, Camp|

Sparking a Wave of Wellness

Aquatics, Blog post, Fitness, Health, Team YMCA, Well-being, Y Stories

Sparking a Wave of Wellness

How One Instructor Sparked a New Wave of Wellness at Niagara West YMCA Sometimes, traditional fitness classes don’t meet everyone’s needs. At the Niagara West YMCA, Tamara—a creative and caring instructor—recognized a gap and stepped in to fill it. What started as a one-on-one pool session has grown into a thriving small-group program that inspires members, builds confidence, and creates new connections. It all began with Christine. Living with [...]

Catherine Clark2025-03-31T17:25:32-04:00March 31st, 2025|Aquatics, Blog post, Fitness, Health, Team YMCA, Well-being, Y Stories|