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 [...]
Strength, Service, and Staying Power: Don Moor’s Y Story
A 13-year member of the Niagara West YMCA, Don currently completes a full-body workout of 100,000 pounds three times a week, a routine he’s followed consistently for the past five to six years.
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 [...]
Listening, Leading, and Inspiring: JÉDA’S STORY
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 [...]
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 [...]