Health

It’s Never Too Late to Change

How Jack rediscovered strength, confidence, and wellbeing at the YMCA Jack's turning point came during a doctor’s appointment. After that visit, Jack knew he needed to make a big change in his life. Not overnight, and not perfectly, but intentionally. What made the moment stick was the advice he received. Jack’s doctor, who also happens to be a YMCA member, encouraged him to get moving in a way that [...]

2026-01-16T13:53:16-05:00January 20th, 2026|Fitness, Health, Well-being, Y Stories|

20 Years of Well-Being at the Niagara Centre YMCA

Niagara Centre YMCA in Welland celebrates 20 years of supporting health, well-being, and belonging for individuals and families across the community.

A Celebration of Impact, Belonging, and the Partners Strengthening Niagara

YMCA of Niagara highlights community impact, PEACE Medal recipients, and the partnerships strengthening health, connection, and belonging across Niagara.

Celebrating Community Connection at the Niagara West YMCA

Celebrating Community Connection at the Niagara West YMCA Saturday, October 4 · 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Niagara West YMCA – 325 Main Street East, Grimsby The Town of Grimsby and the YMCA of Niagara are proud partners in creating opportunities for residents to connect, be active, and support their well-being. Together, we continue to invest in making the Niagara West YMCA a brighter, more welcoming space for the community [...]

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 [...]

2025-08-08T14:12:09-04:00August 8th, 2025|Blog post, Community, Connection, Fitness, Health, Well-being, Y Stories|

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 [...]

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

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 [...]

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