Our Global Community
As part of our charitable mission, our work also extends far beyond our borders. Through our Global Programs, we are part of an international community of YMCAs in more than 115 countries all around the world.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto's International Partnerships
Together, we nurture one another in the spirit of a global village and work to create a world where social justice exists for all people.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto has developed partnerships with local YMCAs in several countries with the
purpose of:
- Supporting community development projects
- Sharing technical expertise
- Learning about the issues that affect us all
Our partners are the YMCAs of: Liberia, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Ghana, and Senegal.
International Youth Internship Program
Eager to gain skills and work experience that leads to employment or further education? Consider joining the YMCA International Youth Internship Program.
Thanks to the support of Global Affairs Canada, the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) is tailored for people ages 18 to 30 who are Indigenous, racialized, living with disabilities and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ and are experiencing barriers to employment.
Interns join the YMCA network spanning 120 countries, focusing on the World YMCA's Vision 2030 pillars:
- Community Wellbeing
- Meaningful Work
- Sustainable Planet
- Just World
Participants will complete their internships at partner YMCAs in Colombia (Bogota, Medellin, Cali), Ghana, Sierra Leone, or Togo, collaborating with local communities on projects related to international cooperation spanning environmental sustainability, mental health, education, and more.
Stay tuned for a call for applications this April for the first internship cohort (June 2024 to December 2024)!
Global Education
Global awareness is integrated into programs for children, youth and adults at YMCA centres throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Each year, more than 8,000 people participate in global awareness events and activities.
The objectives of our global awareness activities are to:
- Educate and inform about current global issues and trends
- Encourage global responsibility and action towards positive change
- Develop a sense of belonging to the YMCA global family
- Support leadership in global awareness among staff, volunteers, youth and members
Global awareness activities include:
- Peace Week activities, allowing children, youth and adults to explore peace-building from personal, community and international perspectives
- “Lunch and learns” which explore global themes such as human rights, HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability and fair trade
- Sharing and exchanging stories, blogs, videos, pictures and postcards from YMCAs in communities around the world
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