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...
Ahmed’s WHY: Choosing Health, Family, and Connection at the Y
For Niagara Centre YMCA member Ahmed Yousif, the Y is more than a place to work out — it’s where connection, wellness, and community naturally come together.
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, [...]
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 [...]
Starting Over, Standing Tall: Samah’s Story
A New Life, and the Courage to Begin When Samah arrived in Canada in 2023 with her three children, she brought with her a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a Project Management Professional certification, and a deep sense of purpose. What she didn’t bring was a roadmap. Moving to a new country is rarely just about geography—it’s about finding your footing in unfamiliar systems, understanding where you fit, and rebuilding [...]