Articles, tips and event posts
A Summer of Belonging: Pryce’s Story
At YMCA Summer Day Camp, Pryce found confidence, joy, and belonging — and his mom found peace of mind knowing he was supported every day.
Finding Direction: Jauhar’s Story
After arriving in Canada alone, Jauhar found hope, guidance, and a new career through YMCA Employment Services in Niagara. Read his inspiring story.
Confidence Begins Here: Marissa’s Story
At a YMCA of Niagara Child Care Centre, a caring, nurturing environment helped one little girl flourish — and gave a mom returning to work peace of mind.
When Community Hits a Home Run
This summer, something special was happening on the baseball diamond at Lancaster Park in St. Catharines. Every Saturday afternoon, the crack of the bat, the sound of laughter, and the cheers of encouragement filled the air as young athletes took part in the YMCA of Niagara’s Jays Care Program...
Moved to Connect: Glennis’s Y Story
At 80 years old, Glennis Ferguson is a familiar and friendly face at the Niagara West YMCA, a place she’s called her second home since it opened in 2011. From aquafit to group exercise classes, Glennis has spent the past 14 years staying active, social, and connected. “I like doing aquafit and talking with the friends I’ve made here,” she says. “We laugh, we share recipes, we sit [...]
A Place to Be Seen: Stephen’s YMCA Connection
When Stephen joined the YMCA in 2020, it was more than a new fitness routine—it was a new chapter. Stephen was looking for ways to stay active and social during the isolation of the pandemic. His sister had recently moved to the area and they decided to check out the local Y. They’ve been coming together ever since with his loyal guide dog, Austin, by their side. Stephen [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]