The $50 million Strong Start, Great Future Capital Campaign is about empowering people across the GTA with essential services by building new Ys in their neighbourhood.
Too many people in the GTA are being held back by barriers that are impossible to overcome on their own.
Mental health is suffering, children and youth are “socially malnourished” after years of lockdowns and physical distancing, there aren’t enough child care spots to go around – these challenges and more are taking a toll on people’s health, well-being, and prospects for the future.
As the King-Spadina neighbourhood ballooned, growing thirty-fold since 1996, the City of Toronto identified a shortage of healthy infrastructure to support this dense community.
The new McDonald Family Y will help fill this gap, co-locating relevant programs for easy access all under one roof.
The Y delivers essential services, from licensed child care to employment services, shelters for unhoused youth, camps, and more. But many of these programs can't happen without a safe, brick-and-mortar place. After all, there’s no such thing as virtual child care. Unhoused youth need somewhere to sleep. Kids can’t learn to swim on their iPads. When we build a new YMCA, it means more people in more neighbourhoods can access these essential services they need to thrive.
We have seen unprecedented layoffs, job insecurity, and financial struggle. By bringing YMCA Employment Services to more neighbourhoods, we can help more people navigate a labour market unlike any we’ve experienced before. Why it matters
Who we've helped
"I used to be a freelance artist. When the pandemic hit, I relied on CERB, but eventually, I wasn't eligible. I turned to the Y and found a career counselor who really understood my situation. She believed in me when no one else did — not even myself. Within 48 hours, the Y had found an opportunity, and I got the job in under a week. The Y gave the best support I could have asked for and helped me make a new, better life." —Akeem, former Employment Services participant, now employed!
As the largest not-for-profit child care provider in Canada, we know how critical this service is for our economic recovery – and especially for addressing the “she-cession” that’s setting women back decades in the workforce. New YMCAs mean we can bring high-quality, affordable child care to more families, helping parents chase their career dreams.
Why it matters
No one can live up to their full potential without a decent home, let alone a safe place to sleep. Throughout the crisis, vulnerable youth relied on the YMCA for shelter and free supports like legal guidance and help finding a job.
Why it matters
Who we've helped
"I was lost and without
a roof over my head. I found
The Wagner Green YMCA,
and since then, the staff have
helped me apply for college
as well as getting my benefits
working. Since I’ve been here,
I’ve felt okay and relaxed.
You have made me feel at
home."
— Justin, resident at The Wagner Green YMCA
The pandemic piqued feelings of worry, fear, and anxiety, while hindering access to support. So much of what people gain at the Y helps them build resilience, from the physical exercise we know to be connected with mental health, to the feelings of community and connection people need to live a fulfilling life.
Why it matters
Immigrants are struggling to find their place — in the workforce and in our community — as the pandemic holds them back from accessing settlement support. By bringing Immigrant Settlement Services to more communities, we can help more newcomers improve their language skills, find work, grow their social support networks, and learn about their new home.
Why it matters
Who we've helped
"I learned about Canadian
customs, behaviours, and
rules — key things people need
to know to succeed with a
job search and, eventually, at
work. The six-week volunteer
placement expanded my
network and connections
in Toronto and gave me
Canadian experience to add
to my resume. I am very
grateful for all of the YMCA’s
support!”
—Nazanin, YMCA Immigrant Settlement
Services participant
Long before COVID-19, experts were describing loneliness as a “pandemic” with devastating consequences for well-being. Isolated older adults, disengaged youth, newcomers, and other vulnerable groups suffer the most.
With support from donors like you, the YMCA can continue to be the place where people access essential services and neighbours gather to make new connections, nurture old ones, and re-ignite their community spirit.
Each new Y we build will play a critical role in the GTA’s recovery from COVID-19, helping us rebuild a stronger, more connected home for our community members.
You can make a real difference today by donating online here, or contacting Ali Kashani, Chief Development Officer, to learn more:
ali.kashani@ymcagta.org
647-537-4400
$5,000,000-$9,999,999 David Braley Charitable Foundation
$3,000,000-$4,999,999 Jenifer & Steve McDonald Daphne Wagner, David Green, and Michael & Lita Green
$2,000,000-$2,999,999 Michael Cooper & Krystal Koo Anonymous (1)
$1,000,000-$1,999,999 BMO Financial Group Martine M. Irman Steve & Sally Stavro Family Foundation TD Bank Group
$500,000-$999,999 CIBC Cortel Group Longo Family Foundation Estate of Adrienne Dympna Magennis OPUS Homes Scotiabank Toronto Blue Jays — Jays Care Foundation Eric Tripp & Maria Smith Anonymous (1)
$250,000-$499,999 Estate of Valerie Brook Nesbitt & Lawlor Family Ontario Trillium Foundation Tim & Pat Penner Helen Sinclair & Paul Cantor TACC Group/De Gasperis Family David & Shelagh Wilson Anonymous (2)
$100,000-$249,999 Paul Bailey Brampton Brick Limited Janet & Bryan Dawson Deloitte Fleet Complete Barry & Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust Gucciardi Family Kinross Gold Corporation Paul & Elizabeth Langill Jon & Nancy Love Ann & Medhat Mahdy Steven & Sharon Ranson Chris Shepherd Diane & Rick Sinhuber David & Michelle Skurka TD Securities Underwriting Hope Foundation in honour of Martine Irman The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company Anonymous (4)
$50,000-$99,999 Bolton Railings Inc. The Brain Family Katherine Cochrane-Brink & Paul Brink Employees of Miller Thomson LLP Roger & Kevin Garland Giovanni & Concetta Guglietti Family The Haynes-Connell Foundation Lynn & Ewout Heersink Moti Jungreis Henry Labatte Luca & Loren Lettieri LiUNA Local 183 LiUNA Ontario Provincial District Council Robert & Patricia Lord Rob Moubarak — Sutherland Law Steve & Sue Murphy Power Corporation of Canada Margot L. Ritchie The Jacqueline Rosevear Fund SigNature Communities, Andiel Homes & Plaza Corp The Henry White Kinnear Foundation Anonymous (2)
$25,000-$49,999 Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation Michael Adams Aird & Berlis LLP Jennifer Babe Rich & Nancy Bailey The Harold E. Ballard Foundation Andre Craig & Family Anne & Ron Fawcett Four Point Financial Corporation Graywood Developments Patrick Hodgson Family Foundation Melanie Laflamme Irene Markus Wendy & Chris McDowall Judy McLeod Mosaik Homes Onex Carl, Julie, Scott & Haley Oxholm Reliance Home Comfort Sheena Macdonald & Phil Schmitt Mark & Jody Shulgan Brian Valvasori Wenda Yenson & Ken Hurdle
$10,000-$24,999 Altas Partners Katherine M. E. Alyea Renee Beneteau The Bitove Foundation Cavendish Farms Corporation The Chee-Wong Family Dr. Gordon J. Chong Linda Cottes & Family Desjardins Estate of Amy Mary Downs Sakina Fazel Sharon, Paul & Carlyn Ferriss Diane Flanagan Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. David & Judy Galloway General Electric Canada Goldman Sachs Gives Jack & Linda Goodwin Mickey & Janet Jawa Ali Kashani Eve Lewis & Woodcliffe Landmark Properties — In memory of David Layton Leanne & George Lewis James P. Long Rahima Mamdani Mansteel Rebar Ltd. Masters Insurance Ltd. MNP LLP Ontario Realtors Care Foundation Dean L. Prevost George & Ann Rodger Debbie & Glenn Sevenpifer Manjit K. Sharma Rania Shuggi Jeff & Leah Snowden Soil Engineers Ltd M. Spears Earl Stuart Trevor & Judie Thom Toromont Industries Jeff Watchorn Vicki White & Damien Cox Leslie E. Woo Tom & Ruth Woods Anonymous (1)
$5,000-$9,999 Sam Balsamo Komal Bhasin Kaye Bland David G. Broadhurst The Brookfield Foundation Chum Charitable Foundation Vilma Cortellucci-Fiuza Don Cranston Michelle Digulla Enterprise Canada Sid Finkelstein Dr. Erica Fischer & Mr. David Harrison Dilprit & Rajbinder Grewal Scott Henshaw Highland Farms Inc. Darlene Holowachuk Jauernig Family Sandra & John Kalpouzos Lenczner Slaght LLP John Macfarlane Don & Susan McCreesh David McCullum Etienne Middleton Margaret & Rhiannon O’Brien Rogers Communications Margaret Taylor-Sevier Zobeiry Family Anonymous (1)
We continue to accept gifts to our Strong Start, Great Future Capital Campaign and are grateful to all of our donors who have given since this list was compiled on March 31, 2022.
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