Our donors help the Y invest in neighbourhoods over the long term, sustainably delivering the core programs people rely on us for: child care, health and fitness, camps, and employment and immigrant services. But as our communities grow and change, so do we. Donations enable our Y to be responsive, adapting to meet the unique needs of our time.
Donations support our charity's research-backed approach to addressing critical issues and serving vulnerable groups in the GTA.
In planning our programs, services, and facilities, we take steps to determine a neighbourhood’s needs. We evaluate the area’s demographic composition, current health of the community, and viability of operating a Y in the area long term. Through this work, we identify specific groups that could benefit from access to YMCA services, such as newcomers, residents living on a low income, young families, youth at risk, and older adults.
Our research shows where there’s a Y, there’s better well-being. The whole community — both people who use our programs and those who don’t — experience better well-being, general and mental health, and a stronger sense of belonging when there’s a Y in their neighbourhood.
YMCA members are 19% more likely to have high life satisfaction.