Well-being

A Welcoming Hand, A Brighter Path

A Welcoming Hand, A Brighter Path Supporting Newcomer Students and their Families in Niagara Moving to a new country is more than just a change of address—it’s a shift in culture, routine, and identity. For children and youth especially, it can be both exciting and incredibly overwhelming. That’s why at the YMCA of Niagara, we’re proud to offer newcomer families the kind of support that goes far beyond a friendly [...]

2025-04-24T14:11:50-04:00April 16th, 2025|Inclusive, Newcomer Services, Team YMCA, Well-being|

Lacrosse for Every Body: An Inclusive Program Creating Space to Shine

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 [...]

2025-04-02T15:21:15-04:00April 2nd, 2025|Child and Youth, Fitness, Health, Inclusive, Well-being|

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 [...]

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

Bridging Research and Community

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 [...]

2025-04-02T15:22:13-04:00January 10th, 2025|Child and Youth, Fitness, Health, Well-being|

The Power of Play

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 [...]

2024-11-27T13:35:23-05:00November 27th, 2024|Child and Youth, Newcomer Services, Well-being, Y Stories|
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