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...
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 [...]
Summer is a break from school—but it shouldn't be a break from learning When children stay engaged over the summer, they return to school more confident, curious, and ready to grow. At the YMCA of Niagara, we believe learning can happen anywhere — not just at a desk. That’s why our day camps are designed to help kids explore, express themselves, and discover new interests while having the time [...]
There’s something powerful about a lacrosse stick in a child’s hands — the feel of a new skill, the joy of movement, and the quiet confidence that builds with every pass and cheer. At the Niagara West YMCA, a unique partnership with Lacrossing Barriers is creating just that kind of spark. Focused on making sports accessible to children of all abilities, this program invites young athletes into an inclusive space [...]
Listening, Leading, and Inspiring: Jéda’s Story A Vision for Change When you meet Jéda Anderson, it doesn’t take long to feel the power of her resilience, creativity, and commitment to change. At just 17, she has already achieved what many spend a lifetime aspiring to—a lasting impact on her community. From her early advocacy efforts as a member of her school’s Student Equity [...]
Bridging Research and Community: The YMCA-Brock Collaboration on Physical Literacy At the YMCA of Niagara, we believe in creating opportunities for every child to grow, learn and thrive through movement and play. Our recent collaboration with the Brock University Centre for Healthy Youth Development through Sport is a testament to this mission, demonstrating how partnerships can drive meaningful change in our community. This multi-year initiative has closely examined the YMCA’s [...]
The Power of Play In the summer of 2023, an idea took root within the Niagara community, driven by a shared commitment to creating meaningful experiences for refugee families temporarily residing in hotels. Launched in partnership with the McCall MacBain Foundation, this initiative aimed to provide more than just a refuge from the transitory nature of hotel living. That it did. As the program unfolded, it blossomed into a [...]
