The Bridletowne YMCA
This new YMCA in Scarborough’s Steeles-L’Amoreaux neighbourhood will empower community members with the essential services and social infrastructure they need to boost their well-being.
It is part of the new Bridletowne Neighbourhood Centre, an innovative collaboration between our YMCA, the United Way Greater Toronto, and Scarborough Health Network that will bring vital programs, healthcare, and inclusive community spaces together under one roof.
Meeting Pressing Needs
Many Scarborough residents are experiencing higher rates of chronic health conditions and stress, compared to other Toronto neighbourhoods. In Steeles-L’Amoreaux, the critical social and health care services they need are not nearby or easily accessible.
Residents also report a lower sense of community and belonging. And with lower access to green spaces, community gathering places, and opportunities for recreation, they have few opportunities to build healthy connections.
Together with our partners and donors, we’re building a new YMCA to help bridge these gaps, bringing vital services and supports together under one roof.
Impact
Our research suggests that when there’s a Y in the neighbourhood, the whole community — both people who use our programs and those who don’t — experiences:
Better overall well-being
Better general and mental health
Stronger sense of belonging
Essential Programs and Services
Each YMCA Centre of Community delivers a suite of programs and services tailored to meet the unique needs of the neighbourhood it serves. Some of the signature YMCA programs currently planned for the new Bridletowne YMCA include:
Teen Nights, where youth access our centre for free, giving them opportunities to get active, meet positive role models, and join new activities that financial barriers might otherwise prevent them from trying.
Free Youth Leadership Development groups, where youth build the skills they need to succeed in school, work, and life; grow a network of friends and adult allies; and find a sense of community and belonging.
Health and fitness programs, including group fitness classes, sports and rec programs, and child and family programs that support physical and mental well-being for people of all ages and abilities.
Licensed, not-for-profit child care, where kids build foundational literacy, numeracy, arts, and science skills through our Playing to Learn Curriculum, and caregivers gain the support they need to pursue careers.
Day camps, where children and youth build self-esteem and vital skills like leadership and teamwork, all while making lasting friendships.
Part of The Bridletowne Neighbourhood Centre
A first of its kind not only in the GTA, but in Ontario, the BNC will be home to an innovative collaboration between our YMCA, the United Way Greater Toronto, Scarborough Health Network, and other community service providers.
By co-locating vital programs, health care, and inclusive community spaces, the BNC will be a leader in integrated social infrastructure, bringing this currently underserved community not just one service to meet one of its many needs, but wrap-around supports — all easily accessible under one roof.
This one-of-a-kind community hub will offer:
- A YMCA Centre of Community and licensed child care centre.
- Scarborough Health Network’s Dialysis and Chronic Disease Clinics, offering diabetes and chronic conditions management.
- United Way Greater Toronto supported agencies offering social services, health promotion, and cultural programs.
- Shared space for community and cultural events, and office and retail space to support the project’s sustainability.
Get Involved
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity and our inspiring donors help make our programs and facilities possible.
Your gift today can help bring the new Bridletowne YMCA to life, opening access to essential services and social infrastructure for Scarborough community members.
Please contact Tony diCosmo, Vice President, Campaign Giving to discuss your gift:
416.305.2792
We gratefully acknowledge the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for contributing generous funding to support the YMCA at the Bridletowne Neighbourhood Centre through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
