For 154 years, the YMCA has not only been a place to be, but a place to become.
Charitable Mission
The YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford is a charitable organization helping people achieve potential in spirit, mind and body through participation and service to the community.
BASIC STATISTICS
| # of people involved from community | 192,042 |
| # of volunteers | 1,128 |
| # of annual donors | 3,439 |
| Annual Operating Budget | $35 million |
| Public Image | 95% recognition: 3 out of 4 Canadians hold a positive view (Environics) |
YMCA PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY:
- Promotes health in spirit, mind and body: an understanding that health is a resource for everyday life and community building
- Support philanthropy and volunteerism: ways to serve oneself and others, to participate in building a better community for everyone
- Enhances values: Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility
- Builds Developmental Assets: helping youth grow up healthy, positive, confident and competent because every child is an asset worth investing in
PROGRAMS & SERVICES:
YMCA Career Development & Learning Programs
29,315 youth and adults are assisted annually. The YMCA assesses their skills and employment potential and implements a plan of action that will lead them to employment and/or higher education.
YMCA Child Care
5,081 children receive quality, licensed pre-school child care and school-age child care through the YMCA each year. The YMCA is the largest provider of licensed child care in Canada.
YMCA Day Camp
Some 2,051 children enjoy fun and friendship through YMCA Day Camps annually.
YMCA Health, Fitness and Recreation
More than 126,793 children, youth and adults are actively engaged in a wide range of health, fitness and recreation programs, including leadership and character development, at the Brantford Family YMCA, Flamborough Family YMCA, Ron Edwards Family YMCA (in Burlington), Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA and Les Chater Family YMCA.
YMCA Housing
The YMCA provides short-term housing accommodations for low-income men each year through the 172-room residence in the Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA.
Immigrant Settlement Services (ISS)
The YMCA is committed to being the catalyst for human equality and healthy communities. Immigrant Settlement Services assists immigrants in their orientation and integration into the Canadian environment.
YMCA Outreach
713 children take part in YMCA Outreach Programs each year. The YMCA aims to eliminate barriers to participation in YMCA programs by serving inner-city and low income communities and providing recreational, health enhancement, academic and social values programs. Through the donor-supported Virtual YMCA program, the benefits of the YMCA are brought directly to schools in North Hamilton at no cost to the participants and their families.
YMCA Wanakita
12,399 children, adults and families take part at YMCA Wanakita, the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington's full-service, year-round facility and outdoor education centre. Programs such as residential summer camp for children and youth, summer family camp, year round outdoor education and leadership development programs are services provided to people all across Ontario and beyond.
YMCA Volunteers
1,128 volunteers help the YMCA deliver its Mission by leading fitness classes, tutoring, fundraising, assisting with membership services, performing maintenance and participating on advisory committees and much more.
YMCA Strong Kids Campaign
YMCA Strong Kids is the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington's annual giving Campaign which gives opportunities to children and youth in our community to participate in YMCA programs, regardless of their ability to pay the fees. In 2009 thousands of children received opportunities through YMCA Strong Kids and the generosity of 3,439 donors who gave $904,857.
Financial Assistance
In 2009, 34,606 low-income individuals and families were financially assisted to take part in YMCA programs. The YMCA strives to serve all segments of the community, including those with limited financial resources.
